Dr. Jack (1922)

Two Reviews posted on IMDb.com
-NW

Lloyd's First 60-Minute Original Script
springfieldrental25
November 2021

By 1922 comic actor Harold Lloyd had embraced the longer feature film format, a departure from his earlier two-reel shorts. His November 1922's "Dr. Jack," though, was his first scripted movie intentionally designed from its original concept to fill an entire 60 minutes of plot, and more importantly, gags and stunts.

Lloyd's two earlier feature films, December 1921's 'A Sailor-Made Man,' and September 1922's 'Grandma's Boy,' both evolved from a script containing only 30 minutes of the actor's antics. The two screenplays were extended from their core plots to fill in another 15 to 30 minutes of action. "Dr. Jack," from its opening minutes follows a young doctor, Lloyd, as he administers understanding, a dose of fresh air with exercise and a healthy diet to his treatments.

He stands in contrast to Dr. Ludwig, a firm believer in prescription drugs, closed windows and drapes-and especially no exercise.

Dr. Jack is brought in for a second opinion after The Sick-Little-Well-Girl, tenderly acted by Mildred Davis, has been Dr. Ludwig's patient for four long years. The two doctors are naturally at odds before circumstances give Lloyd an idea to break Davis out of her funk. The movie turned out to be a blockbuster hit, earning a top ten box office spot while earning over one million dollars.

Wonderful, warm-hearted, funny classic
I_Ailurophile2
August 2022

This movie wastes no time, coming right out of the gate with a quip about healthcare in the United States that includes a then-current reference and which sadly continues to be very relevant. From there we're treated to plentiful, lighthearted situational comedy and abundant sight gags to gently keep the film moving along.

'Dr. Jack' is a title where warm, big-hearted amusement is more important than slight narrative, so even as there's a concrete story, these sixty minutes are more than anything a patchwork quilt of small scenes filled with such levity. And that, truly, is all it needs to be, because this is a joy!