Dad’s Choice (1928)/Paths to Paradise (1925)

I hopped in line early for Dad’s Choice and Paths to Paradise, but it turned out I didn’t need to; while the theater was crowded, it wasn’t sold out. Any opportunity to experience silent film on the big screen with live accompaniment—Ben Model provided that here—is a treat. Model, who created a Kickstarter to preserve these films, chatted with Leonard Maltin before the screening. He told us that Harold Lloyd’s production company and crew worked on Dad’s Choice, and we certainly saw that on screen. While Edward Everett Horton is not known for physical comedy, the wild situations he got himself into in this short, along with his facial expressions, fit in well with the Lloyd company vibe. 

Model informed us that Paths to Paradise originally played with seven reels, but unfortunately the last is lost. That said, he was able to track down the continuity and other archival materials at the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, so in the restoration, they provided title cards that detailed the action and dialogue that was missing in that final reel. 

While star Raymond Griffith was a famous, now mostly forgotten, silent comedian, I thought we were in for a drama considering how the film started. But thieves started double crossing thieves in hilarious ways, and it wasn't long before Griffith’s quietly sophisticated schtick started shining. Model told us that reel six featured a finale of sorts, and he was right! Basically, Griffith steals a diamond from a man planning to gift it to his daughter following her wedding. Along with former rival thief Betty Compson, they make their getaway down the California coast to Mexico… starting in San Luis Obispo! That sign got some laughs from those who know California, because they made it seem like Mexico was so close when it was hours away, and soon enough, police cavalcades from Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego descended upon the couple to join the race through mountain and coastal roads. I was astonished by the cinematography here; we were taken along the wild ride twisting and turning down the coast by cameras seemingly perched high… somewhere! It actually was a little dizzying. From there, the thieves’ tire gets shot out (they change it in record time on the road), and they run out of gas (conveniently, a gas truck is driving next to them, so Griffith hops on and gases up while both vehicles are in motion!).  

It was a hilarious, action-packed, extremely well executed chase that really put the audience in the picture. Plus, it was quite fun seeing coastal California locations almost a century ago; besides a few dirt roads, not much has changed in those areas. Somehow, the missing reel upped the ante. Though we didn't see the action, titles cards informed us that the duo, now feeling guilty once they finally reach Mexico, turn around and do it all again the other direction. This time, their car jumped a cliff, survived an explosion, and narrowly dodged a train, all to deliver the diamond and clear their conscience. What a ride!