The Rent Collector Poster

The Rent Collector 1921

★ 6.48 votes29 min📅 1921-05-22

Step back to the golden age of silent cinema with *The Rent Collector* (1921), a zany black-and-white comedy that blends slapstick antics with high-energy action.

Director: Larry Semon

Cast

Larry Semon
Larry Semon
Larry, the Rent Collector
Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy
The Big Boss (as Babe Hardy)
Norma Nichols
Norma Nichols
Leader of the Society Girl Settlement Workers
Eva Thatcher
Eva Thatcher
Landlady
Frank Alexander
Frank Alexander
A thug
Pete Gordon
Barber
William Hauber
Bit Role (uncredited)
Leo Willis
Leo Willis
Bit Role (uncredited)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Rent Collector (1921) about?

*The Rent Collector* follows the misadventures of a bumbling rent collector whose attempts to collect overdue payments go awry in the most ridiculous ways. From slapstick mishaps to runaway chases, the film turns a simple premise into a frenetic showcase of early 20th-century comedy.

Who directed The Rent Collector?

The film was directed by Larry Semon, a pioneer of silent-era comedy whose energetic style and physical humor left a lasting mark on the genre.

Who stars in The Rent Collector?

The film stars Larry Semon and Oliver Hardy, with Norma Nichols, Eva Thatcher, and Frank Alexander rounding out the main cast.

Is The Rent Collector (1921) worth watching?

*The Rent Collector* (1921) runs for 29 minutes, delivering a quick burst of early 20th-century comedy in under half an hour.

About The Rent Collector (1921) — A Silent Comedy Classic with Larry Semon & Oliver Hardy

Step back to the golden age of silent cinema with *The Rent Collector* (1921), a zany black-and-white comedy that blends slapstick antics with high-energy action. Directed by Larry Semon, this short film showcases his signature brand of chaotic humor, alongside a young Oliver Hardy, whose physical comedy would later define his legendary career. The story follows an eccentric rent collector whose quirky escapades spiral into increasingly absurd situations, filled with pratfalls, chases, and improbable twists.

Set against the backdrop of early 1920s America, *The Rent Collector* captures the playful spirit of the era, where silent film stars relied on sheer creativity to keep audiences laughing without a single word. With its rapid-fire gags and dynamic visual storytelling, this 29-minute gem proves that great comedy needs no dialogue to leave you in stitches. Whether you're a fan of classic film or just love a good laugh, Semon and Hardy's collaboration makes *The Rent Collector* a delightful time capsule of vintage humor.