The Strong Man1926
The Strong Man (1926)
The Strong Man Photos
Movie Info
The Strong Man was the second starring feature of silent screen comedian Harry Langdon--not to mention first feature-length directorial effort of Frank Capra. Langdon plays a Belgian soldier who, during World War I, is captured by German conscript Arthur Thalasso. Almost immediately, the armistice is declared. Having nowhere else to go, Langdon sticks with Thalasso, who in civilian life is a popular circus strong man. When Thalasso gets the opportunity to tour the US, Langdon is delighted; at last he will meet minister's daughter Priscilla Bonner, with whom he has been carrying on a romance-by-correspondence. Arriving in New York, Harry wanders around the street with a photo of Bonner, asking passers-by if they know the girl. Jewel thief Gertrude Astor, hoping to use Langdon as a dupe in order to evade the cops, claims that she is the girl he's looking for. A marvelous comic set piece ensues, beginning with Langdon's clumsy efforts to carry the unconscious Astor up a long flight of stairs, and ending with Astor's athletic "seduction" of the confused little immigrant. When Langdon finally finds the real Bonner, he discovers she is blind--just as well, he reasons, since she regards him as something of a strong, strapping hero-type, which he most decidedly is not. Subsequent plot complications involve a corrupt element that has taken over Priscilla's town, and a wild climactic sequence wherein puny Langdon must try to pass himself off as strong man Thalasso...and through plain dumb luck, gets away with it! Far better seen than described, The Strong Man is one of the sweetest, funniest comedies of the 1920s. Harry Langdon would never again have a vehicle so perfectly suited to his "grown up baby" screen persona; if you've never seen this unique comedy genius in action, catch this film when the opportunity arises.
Cast
Harry Langdon
as Paul Bergot
as Paul Bergot
Priscilla Bonner
as Mary Brown
as Mary Brown
Gertrude Astor
as Gold Tooth
as Gold Tooth
William V. Mong
as Parson Brown
as Parson Brown

Robert McKim
as Roy McDevitt
as Roy McDevitt

Arthur Thalasso
as Zandow the Great
as Zandow the Great

Brooks Benedict
as Bus Passenger
as Bus Passenger

Alma Bennett
as The Vamp, Bebe Blair
as The Vamp, Bebe Blair

Gladys Brockwell
as Harry Shelby's Mother
as Harry Shelby's Mother
Betty Francisco
as Nightclub Dancer
as Nightclub Dancer

Alan Roscoe
as Harry Shelby's Father
as Harry Shelby's Father
Critic Reviews for The Strong Man
All Critics (3) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (1)
Harry Langdon is a comedian, to be sure -- unquestionably the greatest comedian that has appeared since Gilbert Seldes discovered Charlie Chaplin. Nevertheless, it is pretty hard to laugh uproariously at The Strong Man.
October 5, 2021 | Full Review…
Delightful silent comedy, that anticipates much later Capra.
November 30, 2015 | Full Review…
A pellucid early study for It's a Wonderful Life
September 7, 2009 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews
There are no featured reviews for The Strong Man at this time.
The Strong Man Quotes
There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.