The Strong Man

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The Strong Man

Released Sep 19, 1926

1h 15m

Comedy

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3 Reviews

85%

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100+ Ratings

After World War I ends, Belgian soldier Paul Bergot (Harry Langdon) joins with his former German rival, Zandow (Arthur Thalasso), and immigrates to America. While Zandow becomes a vaudevillian strong man, Paul searches for Mary (Priscilla Bonner), his longtime pen pal with whom he is in love. Mistaking a shady gold digger (Gertrude Astor) for Mary, Paul manages to escape her clutches by joining Zandow in Cloverdale, where he finally meets Mary and is amazed to discover a secret about her.

Robert E. Sherwood

LIFE

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.

Oct 6, 2021

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Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Delightful silent comedy, that anticipates much later Capra.

Nov 30, 2015

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

A pellucid early study for It's a Wonderful Life

Sep 7, 2009

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Audience Member

The best comedy movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

the first half is great but the second half is weak.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

It really is a shame Harry Langdon isn't better known. He was great in this. The quick little punches he did to people were hilarious. I loved his facial reactions. Perhaps the movie dragged out a bit in some scenes, but I thought it was the best silent film we have watched in American Cinema so far (next to The "Teddy" Bears)

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

Very funny and cute film.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

Harry Langdon is adorable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

The best two movies Langdon did were the short films "Saturday Afternoon" and "Fiddlesticks", but this is most likely his most consistent feature, and probably the place a neophyte should be introduced to Langdon, who is a very different type of comedian. An eye-opener for those who think all silent comedy is fast and overacted.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Frank Capra

Director

Harry Langdon

Paul Bergot

Priscilla Bonner

Mary Brown

Gertrude Astor

"Lily" of Broadway

William V. Mong

"Holy Joe"

Robert McKim

"Mike" McDevitt

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Synopsis

After World War I ends, Belgian soldier Paul Bergot (Harry Langdon) joins with his former German rival, Zandow (Arthur Thalasso), and immigrates to America. While Zandow becomes a vaudevillian strong man, Paul searches for Mary (Priscilla Bonner), his longtime pen pal with whom he is in love. Mistaking a shady gold digger (Gertrude Astor) for Mary, Paul manages to escape her clutches by joining Zandow in Cloverdale, where he finally meets Mary and is amazed to discover a secret about her.

Director: Frank Capra
Screenwriter: Arthur Ripley, Hal Conklin, Robert Eddy
Production Co: Harry Langdon Corporation
Genre: Comedy
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 1926, Original
Runtime: 1h 15m