Harold Lloyd: Krazy Kat Fan

By | Sunday, January 09, 2011 5 comments
I've been watching some old Harold Lloyd features lately, and came across an interesting comic reference in I Do from 1921. The movie is mostly about Lloyd and his wife taking care of their two nephews for a day or two. Most of the comedy revolves around the older child being mischievous and Lloyd getting caught up in the wake of strewn toys, skates on the stairwell and slippers nailed to the floor and such.

That night, Lloyd's woken up by some noise and gets up to investigate. As he approaches the first door, we see this...
For those of you not up to speed on comic strips of the early 20th century, that doll sitting atop the door frame is Krazy Kat from the comic strip of the same name by George Herriman. Krazy actually plays a central role in the next gag as Lloyd, stumbling around in the dark, accidentally pulls on the cord attached to the doll instead of the lamp. The Krazy Kat doll naturally falls and clocks him on the head. We then get a nice close-up of the doll...
The strip would have been at the height of its popularity at the time and there was a fair amount of Krazy Kat merchandise available. I believe this particular doll was the one manufactured by Averill through much of the 1920s. The body itself was felt, and the stuffing was simply straw. One sold at auction in 2006 for $850.
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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Herrimann hung around the Roach lot during the 20s - he was good friends with Beany Walker, who wrote title cards for Roach films. Two links:

http://www.silentcomedians.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6362&sid=7bd7dba24084d256ffb0e69e726bbb6f


http://books.google.ca/books?id=x_E09IWRomMC&pg=PA40&lpg=PA40&dq=herriman+office+roach+lot&source=bl&ots=3-AjnOLWen&sig=cMUjb_V8V880lQf93EiYpL0y9SA&hl=en&ei=Src4Tb_1JszpgQeA2smuCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=herriman%20office%20roach%20lot&f=false

Great links! Thanks much for sharing them!

Cubby said...

Hello, I have been looking all over the internet abut Krzay Kat without much luck. I would like to ask you some questions about Krazy Kat stuffed animal toys I have from the 1920's. Is there a way I can get in touch with you or show you what I have to get your opinion? I will look on this page for any comment. Thank you!

Cubby said...

Hello, I have been looking all over the internet for some information about early Krazy Kat stuffed animals. I have found almost nothing with the exception of some photos you have. Would I be able to contact you or you me to ask some questions? I have 2 early stuffed animals. I am sure that they are from the 1920's at the latest.

Cubby said...

Sorry about two comments regarding the same thing. I didn't see it publish the first time and now you have 3 ! Yikes!