The film celebrates motion and freedom in its visual images, exemplified in the frenetic pace of the American automobile. Pop is a good man, but his horse and buggy are slow, and of another era. Although some suspicion of progress might be seen in the way that it imperils the protagonist with machines and how the city officials strive to cheat Jane's 'Pop,' even Pop knows that he can no longer survive driving a horse and buggy and it is time to retire. The lighting of the film is also bright and most of the scenes are bathed in light. Of course, as one of the last silent films, "Speedy" is in black and white, but it is more 'white' than black, in its tones. Coney Island, when the couple goes to see the Yankees is positively awash with light. Even when Jane and Speedy are encased within various shiny rides, they and the other characters dress in summery fabrics, to create a sense of delicacy and sunshine. Unlike Chaplin's "Modern Times" these characters are cogs in the wheels of Coney Island's fun and games, not industrialized machinery. Lloyd's balletic movements never seem to put him at real physical risk because of the film's light visual tones, and the threat of the mob and the city syndicate is never truly threatening. It is more of a plot device to showcase Lloyd's acrobatic art. The brightness also makes it easier for the audience to see the sight gags, like when a crab accidentally gets in Speedy's pocket in a very crowded area, with...

Pop Dillon is worried about Jane marrying a ne'er do-well like Speedy, and Speedy's various jobs are more of an attempt to prove his worth to Jane than a real attempt to make a living. Speedy proves his worth when he helps Pop fight the transportation service that is trying to buy his horse-and-buggy route, as they modernize the city. Pop is willing to sell, but he wants a fair price, and the city is trying to cheat him, with the help of criminals and businessmen. To pressure him to sell low, they threaten to revoke his license, and give him nothing. Of course, good ultimately triumphs, as Speedy fights off the mobsters who are sent by the corrupt officials to disrupt Pop's route and make him lose his license. Speedy suddenly finds reserves of enterprise within himself, a quality lacking within him at his former jobs, when he enlists the help of some of Pop's customers, the old Civil War veterans. The final action scene revolves around the fact that Pop's routes will be repossessed if he does not make a trip within 24 hours, but when Speedy thwarts the villains dastardly schemes, he not only wins Pop a good price for the route, but also makes Pop and Jane see that he is worthy of her affection. Speedy wins, progress and youth wins, and the automobile triumphs over the past century's values, although a nod of respect is given to the nation's veterans.
Works Cited

Speedy." Starring Harold Lloyd. 1928.