''Kid Speed'' also known as ''The Four Wheeled Terror'' is a 1924 American
silent comedy film
A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...
directed by
Larry Semon
Lawrence Semon (February 9, 1889 – October 8, 1928) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter during the silent film era. In his day, Semon was considered a major movie comedian, but he is now remembered mainly for working ...
and featuring
Oliver Hardy
Oliver Norvell Hardy (born Norvell Hardy; January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his c ...
.
Plot
A group of young men are tuning up their race cars and sportsters in a small garage. Dangerous Dan McGraw (Hardy) gets a note from rich Mr Du Poys saying he wants to see his car and will bring his daughter along. They arrive in an open-top chauffeur driven limo.
Meanwhile Kid Speed checks his appearance in a broken mirror. His car is under repair and a black mechanic lies underneath while it backfires. The noise wakes the neighbour: town sheriff Phil O'Delfya. He shouts across to be quiet. Kid Speed apologises, They plan to quietly drive off but instead he goes into reverse, crashing through all walls and hitting the sheriff's bed. When he drives forward he has the sheriff on his bed in tow. His speed increases. On a bend the bed detaches and goes down a steep slope with the sheriff cartwheeling into a lake at the bottom.
Kid Speed is truly driving fast in his no.14 race car, with dust being thrown up behind him. He arrives at the garage where Du Poys' daughter waves to him in admiration. Dan objects to their flirting.
We jump to the racetrack, labelled RAJC on the small hill behind. Dan is in no.8 and plans to sabotage Kid Speed. They are told the winner can take out Du Poys' daughter every Wednesday.
A dozen or so cars speed around the heavily banked track for two laps then go on a cross country section. The racing is clearly real. Kid Speed is the only car with a second: his mechanic squeezed in beside him. He gets told the car has no brakes and he laughs. The mechanic gets thrown out on a corner. Kid Speed crashes and is passed by the other cars. The car goes off on its own and he runs faster than the cars to jump back in.
Dan's car crosses a concrete bridge which then blows up, but Kid Speed launches over the gap. It becomes a two car race. A second huge explosion causes a landslide which is meant to bury Kid Speed but buries Dan instead.
Kid Speed crosses the finish line in a cloud of dust. He kisses the girl.
Cast
*
Dorothy Dwan
Dorothy Dwan (April 26, 1906 – March 17, 1981) was an American film actress.
Biography
Born Dorothy Ilgenfritz in Sedalia, Missouri, Dwan was a WAMPAS Baby Star. She appeared in 40 films between 1922 and 1930, several of which were dir ...
as Lou DuPoise
*
James J. Jeffries
James Jackson "Jim" Jeffries (April 15, 1875 – March 3, 1953) was an American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion.
He was known for his enormous strength and stamina. Using a technique taught to him by his trainer, former Welte ...
as Blacksmith/Tailor
*
Oliver Hardy
Oliver Norvell Hardy (born Norvell Hardy; January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his c ...
as Dangerous Dan McGraw (credited as Oliver N. Hardy)
*
Frank Alexander as Mr. Avery DuPoise
*
William Hauber
William Hauber (May 20, 1891 – July 17, 1929) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 60 films between 1913 and 1928. He was born in Brownsville, Minnesota, and died in California in a plane crash during aerial scouting for f ...
as Sheriff Phil O'Delfa
* Grover G. Ligon
*
Larry Semon
Lawrence Semon (February 9, 1889 – October 8, 1928) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter during the silent film era. In his day, Semon was considered a major movie comedian, but he is now remembered mainly for working ...
as The Speed Kid
*
Spencer Bell as The Speed Kid's co-driver and mechanic (not credited)
See also
*
List of American films of 1924
This is a list of American films released in 1924.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y–Z
See also
* 1924 in the United States
Referen ...
References
External links
*
{{Oliver Hardy filmography
1924 films
1924 comedy films
1924 short films
American silent short films
Silent American comedy films
American black-and-white films
American auto racing films
Films directed by Noel M. Smith
Films directed by Larry Semon
American comedy short films
1920s American films