The Sin Harold Diddlebock | 1947 | Comedy

Title: The Sin of Harold Diddlebock Alternate Title: Mad Wednesday (1950 re-release) Year: 1947 Director: Preston Sturges Producer: Preston Sturges (uncredited), Howard Hughes (uncredited) Production Company: California Pictures Distributor: United Artists Runtime: 89 minutes Country: United States Language: English Format: Black and White Genres: Comedy --- Synopsis: The Sin of Harold Diddlebock serves as a sequel to Harold Lloyd's 1925 silent film The Freshman. The story picks up two decades later, with Harold Diddlebock stuck in a monotonous bookkeeping job. After being unceremoniously fired, Harold, who has never tasted alcohol, is introduced to a potent cocktail named "The Diddlebock." The drink unleashes a wild side of Harold, leading him on a series of misadventures, including impulsively purchasing a bankrupt circus and acquiring a lion. The film follows Harold's chaotic journey as he navigates the consequences of his newfound spontaneity. --- Cast: Harold Lloyd as Harold Diddlebock Frances Ramsden as Miss Otis Jimmy Conlin as Wormy Raymond Walburn as E.J. Waggleberry Rudy Vallee as Lynn Sargent Edgar Kennedy as Jake, the bartender Arline Judge as Manicurist Franklin Pangborn as Formfit Franklin Lionel Stander as Max Margaret Hamilton as Flora Jackie the Lion as Himself --- Production Notes: This film marked Harold Lloyd's return to cinema after a decade-long hiatus and was his final film appearance. Directed by Preston Sturges, it was their only collaboration. Despite the star power, the film faced challenges upon release. Howard Hughes, dissatisfied with the initial version, pulled it from theaters shortly after its debut. He re-edited and re-released it in 1950 under the title Mad Wednesday, but it failed to achieve commercial success. --- Legacy: Though not a commercial hit, the film has garnered attention over the years for its unique place in cinematic history. In 1951, Harold Lloyd received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his role in the film. Additionally, the movie was nominated for the Grand Prize at the 1951 Cannes Film Festival. --- Trivia: The film opens with the final scenes from The Freshman (1925), creating a direct link between the two movies. Frances Ramsden, who played Miss Otis, had no prior acting experience and was cast due to her relationship with director Preston Sturges. This film was her only screen appearance. --- Curated Hashtags: #TheSinOfHaroldDiddlebock #HaroldLloyd #PrestonSturges #ClassicComedy #MadWednesday #1940sCinema #ScrewballComedy