Ein Kriminal- und Liebesfilm … aber mit Affen, Enten und anderen Tieren als Stars! Ein Hotelangestellter ist in die Tochter des Direktors verliebt, was diesem gar nicht recht ist. Doch am Ende wird der (un-)glücklich Verliebte zum Helden, als er den Vater der Angebeteten vor den Machenschaften zweier Schurken bewahrt, die es auf den Hotelsafe abgesehen haben. LOVE’S REWARD gehört zu den dreizehn Kurzfilmkomödien der „Dippy-Doo-Dad“-Serie, für deren tierische Schauspieler*innen eine ganze Stadt mit unglaublich detaillierten Miniaturkulissen gebaut wurde.
The silent screen was full of animal stars. The lack of sound made it easy to instruct the bestial Barrymores and put them through their paces in front of the camera. Launched in 1923, Hal Roach’s “Dippy-Doo-Dad Comedies” was possibly the first series to create its own all-animal alternative universe. Monkeys, ducks, dogs, chickens, goats, and guinea pigs made up the rotating casts of the films, complete with amazingly detailed miniature sets and costumes. […] What gives these one-reelers their surreal edge is the deadpan seriousness of the clichéd stories, paired with the elaborate nature of production. An entire little Dippy-Doo-Dad town was built with running streetcars and automobiles. Hal Roach’s novel idea lasted for 13 instalments. Having run their course, the “Dippy-Doo-Dads” were discontinued in 1924.
Steve Massa, 38th Il Cinema Ritrovato catalogue, Bologna 2024
Hal Roach’s trained monkeys burlesque that time-worn theme of young love triumphant to perfection. While the youngsters will be satisfied just watching the animals, grown-ups will be apt to chuckle with delight over every bit of business – the stupid goose, cast as a house detective, Bad Bill Sikes who steals the “jools,” the poor but honest hero, cast as a room clerk and in love with the proprietor's daughter, they're all here. And after the hero saves father and the “jools” the lovers win a “God bless you, my children,” from stern papa. You’ll be giving your audience something really amusing when you run this latest “Dippy-Doo-Dad.”
Exhibitor’s Trade Review, 14 March 1924
