The Rent Collector
	Directors: Larry Semon, Norman Taurog • Producer: Albert E. Smith • Story: Larry Semon, Norman Taurog • Cinematography: ? • Editor: ?
	23 May 1921
	Vitagraph Company of America
	silent short
	2-reels

AVAILABLE ON DVD (Volume 67 (of 96) in a French set)

This Larry Semon film begins with a brawl in the street between the burly Frank Alexander and some punk before brute Babe Hardy intervenes and does some 'organizing' of his own.  It is quickly established that Hardy is not a nice guy when he cons a good samaritan (Norma Nichols) out of a kind food donation. Larry Semon is pursued by the cops after failing to help a woman step over a large street puddle, whilst back on the street Babe has to deal with a rent collector (William Hauber) who is trying to evict his family; and ends up throwing him out of a window to be beaten up by his cronies.  The rent collector promptly quits and his position is filled by Semon, who answers the vacancy advert. Semon stakes out Babe's house in the hope he can claim the rent, whilst acquainting himself with the wife and two young, mischievous children.  Semon asserts his authority and ejects all of Babe's furniture into the street.  When Babe insists the furniture be put back, Larry smashes part of it over Babe's head and runs off but is quickly apprehended and held prisoner by the gang.  The lady samaritan misses her ride home from the Mission and also finds herself kidnapped by the gang.  The galant and bold Larry rescues her after he takes on one gang member after another.  He flees with the lady by car, but Babe catches them on foot and after an altercation, he is dumped into the muddy street, before the celebrating Larry drives his car over a cliff! As you would expect for a Larry Semon film, there are some great stunts and no shortage of over-acting!

Facts •Filmed circa March 1921. •It was thought for some years that this film featured both Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, but after much speculation and rumour it in fact features only Hardy. •The film is not widely available on DVD.  The print that exists on the French collection is missing several pieces of footage, particularly the opening few shots showing the fight in the street and Hardy kicking Frank Alexander up the ass. Did you notice? •30 women get out of the car that pulls up around the street corner. •The cops initially pursue Larry Semon despite the fact he has not actually committed a crime.  The genuine accident with the woman falling in the puddle is not justifiable cause for the police to chase him. •The landlord is thrown out of a first-floor window by Babe just for trying to collect his overdue rent.  Seems a bit of an unnecessary reaction, don't you think?! •You can clearly see in close-up shots that Babe Hardy's beard is painted on to his face.

	Larry Semon Larry, a rent collector
	Oliver Hardy The Big Boss
	Norma Nichols Leader of the Society Girl Settlement Workers
	Frank Alexander Thug
	Eva Thatcher Babe's wife
	Pete Gordon Barber
	William Hauber Landlord
	Leo Willis Thug
	Al Thompson Fruit vendor

UNIDENTIFIED Policeman	UNIDENTIFIED Rent officer
UNIDENTIFIED Babe's kids	UNIDENTIFIED Policeman	UNIDENTIFIED Thugs

Acknowledgements: 'Laurel OR Hardy' by Rob Stone (book) Jesse Brisson (identification of Al Thompson) Peter Aberle (German DVD) This page was last updated on: 08 March 2016