His comedies received advertising in newspapers that most features received. Also at one stage of his meteoric early career he equaled the great Chaplin in salary and budget. But the career of Larry Semon lasted less than eleven years. By today's standards of comedy on television, movies, stage or nightclubs, Semon would in all probability be ignored. But in the beginning and the heyday of slapstick and gag comedy, he had his niche.
Time changes the appreciation people had of many things in their past, especially entertainment.
Many old silent fans today in evaluating favorites of the past can't understand what made certain actors such favorites of their childhood. Today, he can't understand why he liked Semon. I have been called upon since retirement from coaching and teaching, in 1976, to screen silent movies to senior citizen groups well over 100 times and at every one, Semon's Weekend Driver is the hit of the showings. Also, The Sawmill , Hot Dog , The Show , Dunces and Danger and School Days still hold up well when screened for today's audiences. In his day, Larry Semon was considered one of the best comics on screen in two-reelers.