IMDb RATING
7.5/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
A nerdy college student will do anything to become popular on campus.A nerdy college student will do anything to become popular on campus.A nerdy college student will do anything to become popular on campus.
- Awards
- 3 wins
James H. Anderson
- The College Hero
- (as James Anderson)
Leon Beaumon
- Student
- (uncredited)
Roy Brooks
- Tall Student
- (uncredited)
Rosalind Byrne
- Girl Caught in Suspenders at Dance
- (uncredited)
Charles Farrell
- Student Bell Ringer at Frolic
- (uncredited)
Wally Howe
- Gardener
- (uncredited)
Gus Leonard
- Waiter Who Takes Harold's Pants
- (uncredited)
King Lockwood
- Student
- (uncredited)
George Marion
- Train Passenger
- (uncredited)
The Wonder Dog Pal
- Pete the Dog
- (uncredited)
Oscar Smith
- Dean's Chauffeur
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis movie was shot in sequence, which was rare for a Harold Lloyd movie. Lloyd usually thought up comic setpieces and based his stories around them. In this instance he felt it was a more character-driven story and he would have to get into the character by shooting it in order.
- GoofsWhen Peggy is doing the crossword puzzle on the train, Harold tells her he has the solution for clue number "19 Vertical". The puzzle is shown twice in close-up, and there is no "19 Vertical" - clue 19 is horizontal only.
- Quotes
Intertitle: Tate University - A large football stadium, with a college attached.
- Alternate versionsA scene was filmed in which Harold cries and is comforted by Peggy (Jobyna Ralston). Harold Lloyd cut this scene when he re-released the film, thinking it was too overly sentimental, but the footage was recently reinstated by his granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd Hayes.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (1947)
- SoundtracksFreshie
(1925)
Written by Harold Berg and Jesse Greer
Used in the 2002 release by Permission of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. Inc.
Featured review
Probably Harold Lloyd's best
I was fortunate enough to have seen this film in the theater many years ago and I can owe it to this film for sparking my life-long love of the old comedies. I only recently saw it again but this time on DVD and found the film to be even better than I remembered.
For those used to seeing slapstick shorts (including those of Lloyd), this film is quite different. Instead of the focus of this film being comedy, the humor seems incidental to the story and the character development. Because of this, the first 1/4 of the movie does not have tons of laughs--because it's building and developing the story and not trying to elicit cheap laughs. However, as you watch, the humor increases and because this came as the character developed, you really find yourself hooked into caring for Harold and you are emotionally in-tune with him. So, as the movie continues, you find your heart breaking for the guy (yes, Chaplin was not the only silent comedian to use pathos). And, when the end of the picture arrives, you feel his triumph. An exquisite and highly artistic treasure.
PS--I watched the DVD with the optional commentary from Leonard Maltin et al. This REALLY improved my understanding and appreciation for the film. I rarely ever use this option, but as I was re-watching the film and since it was a silent, this option is a major plus.
Interestingly enough, Buster Keaton came out with a similar movie just a few years later (COLLEGE). However, it isn't even close to being as good as THE FRESHMAN. I love Keaton, but not this film. If you must seem one silent college picture, see THE FRESHMAN--and maybe the Marx Brothers' HORSE FEATHERS for a much stupider but terribly funny sound take on college life.
For those used to seeing slapstick shorts (including those of Lloyd), this film is quite different. Instead of the focus of this film being comedy, the humor seems incidental to the story and the character development. Because of this, the first 1/4 of the movie does not have tons of laughs--because it's building and developing the story and not trying to elicit cheap laughs. However, as you watch, the humor increases and because this came as the character developed, you really find yourself hooked into caring for Harold and you are emotionally in-tune with him. So, as the movie continues, you find your heart breaking for the guy (yes, Chaplin was not the only silent comedian to use pathos). And, when the end of the picture arrives, you feel his triumph. An exquisite and highly artistic treasure.
PS--I watched the DVD with the optional commentary from Leonard Maltin et al. This REALLY improved my understanding and appreciation for the film. I rarely ever use this option, but as I was re-watching the film and since it was a silent, this option is a major plus.
Interestingly enough, Buster Keaton came out with a similar movie just a few years later (COLLEGE). However, it isn't even close to being as good as THE FRESHMAN. I love Keaton, but not this film. If you must seem one silent college picture, see THE FRESHMAN--and maybe the Marx Brothers' HORSE FEATHERS for a much stupider but terribly funny sound take on college life.
helpful•188
- planktonrules
- Apr 29, 2006
- How long is The Freshman?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $301,681 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 17 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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