His First Flame (Silent) (DVD)

Wealthy Harry Howells is madly in love with his fiancee, Ethel Morgan. He doesn't realize that she only wants him for his money. On the eve of their wedding, Harry discovers that Ethel is nothing more than a gold-digger. Devastated, he joins the fire department to forget his first love. When a six-alarm fire breaks out, Harry gets the chance to be a hero...and another eligible bachelorette may be just up the ladder.

Billed as "A Classic of the Bashful Age!", His First Flame was filmed in 1925, while Harry Langdon was still at the famed Mack Sennett studios. When it became apparent that Langdon was going to leave and form his own company, Sennett chose to delay its release. The subsequent features that Harry produced himself, The Strong Man (1926), Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (1926), and Long Pants (1927), proved to be spectacular box-office successes. To capitalize on this, Sennett finally released His First Flame in May 1927, expanding the running time by adding outtakes and stock footage. Like all of Langdon's early work, His First Flame is co-written by legendary director Frank Capra.

BONUS: Remember When? (1925): Harry is a down-and-out drifter hung up on his childhood sweetheart. When he joins the circus, he's shocked to discover his dream girl is now the bearded lady! Remember When? was shot at the same time as His First Flame, and utilizes the same cast and crew. Starring Harry Langdon, Natalie Kingston, Vernon Dent. Directed by Harry Edwards.

• silent