The Big Idea

1917
9m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

A clerk in a failing antiques store gets a big idea on how to move the merchandise so that he can save the store and possibly win the girl.A clerk in a failing antiques store gets a big idea on how to move the merchandise so that he can save the store and possibly win the girl.A clerk in a failing antiques store gets a big idea on how to move the merchandise so that he can save the store and possibly win the girl.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

287

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Trivia
Advertisements for "Kodak Film" and "Coca-Cola" can be seen at the corner shop. Both Kodak and Coca-Cola were founded in the 1800s and were established companies by 1917, the year this comedy was produced.

Quotes
Western Union Telegram: I. M. Millionbuck, Get to O. U. Phakers Antique Shop at 804 Lemon St. Article marked XX has 10,000. Concealed in it. Signed O. D. Liar

User reviews7

Featured review

Decent Lloyd

The Big Idea (1917)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Decent one-reeler has Harold Lloyd trying to save an antique shop and he gets an idea to send out notices that items marked with a "xx" have $10,000 in them. Soon all sorts of people start showing up to buy items but will this scam help impress the girl (Bebe Daniels) he loves? THE BIG IDEA features a couple decent laughs but overall this here isn't quite as good as some of Lloyd's other pictures from this era. I think the best thing this has going for it is the charm of Daniels who certainly steals the picture even though she has the least amount of screen time of any of the named actor. Lloyd is also quite good here even though the screenplay doesn't give him all that much to do. One of the best scenes has him dealing a painting to three people. The joke here is pretty simple but it works. Harry 'Snub' Pollard is on hand but is pretty much wasted in his supporting role. As I said, there are a couple decent laughs to be had here but there just aren't enough to make this a classic or even one of the legends better pictures.