Category Archives: Silent Films

Silents are Golden: Fresh From The Vaudeville Stage: Buster Keaton Joins The Movies

Buster Keaton Joins The Movies Even compared to his fellow stars, Buster Keaton’s early life was uniquely colorful. Born to medicine show performers in 1895 and first appearing onstage when he was barely old enough to walk, he became the … Continue reading

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Silents are Golden: A Closer Look At: The Big Parade (1925)

A Closer Look At: The Big Parade (1925) In 1928, the great star John Gilbert wrote in an article for Photoplay: “Have any of you ever gone through an experience at school, or at college, or while in love, or … Continue reading

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Monster and Matinees: Georges Méliès and the Creation of the First Horror Film

Georges Méliès and the Creation of the First Horror Film It started with a bat. And what a perfect opening image it was for the world’s first horror film. After all, the bat has been one of the most iconic … Continue reading

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I Am Max: A Max Linder Docudrama Film

I Am Max: A Max Linder Docudrama Film Silent film fans all over the world have lauded their favorite on-screen comedians, particularly enjoying the works of legendary comedians such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. While each of … Continue reading

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Men in Drag: Exclusive Guest Post by Author Steve Massa (Slapstick Divas)

Men in Drag As if it weren’t enough that men dominated silent film comedy in general there were a few male comics who specialized in drag and often played female characters. Drag was a common and sure-fire laugh getter and … Continue reading

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Buster’s Girls: Exclusive Guest Post by Author Steve Massa (Slapstick Divas)

Buster’s Girls The most often seen silent comediennes are probably Sybil Seely and Virginia Fox, the leading ladies of Buster Keaton, as his popular shorts, such as One Week (1920), The Playhouse (1921), and Cops (1922), are still viewed and … Continue reading

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Neglected Clowns: Exclusive Guest Post by Author Steve Massa (Slapstick Divas)

Neglected Clowns The unsung ladies of slapstick comedy are a selection of mean landladies, vamps, spinsters, flirty fat girls, mother-in-laws, society snobs, dingbats, and busybodies who performed yeoman service making up the universe of the silent comedy films. Whether fierce, … Continue reading

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Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy: Facebook/Blog Book Giveaway Contest (July)

“Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy” Book Giveaway via Facebook and this Blog Okay, now it’s time for the Facebook/Blog version of our “Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy” Giveaway Contest! This time we’ll be giving away one copy of the book via Facebook and … Continue reading

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Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy Book Giveaway (via Twitter in July)

“Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy” Book Giveaway via Twitter Time for our next book giveaway! This time, CMH will be giving away FIVE COPIES of “Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy” by authors by Gabriella Oldham and Mabel Langdon, courtesy of University Press of … Continue reading

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Two Eves of Film Comedy: Exclusive Guest Post by Author Steve Massa (Slapstick Divas)

Two Eves of Film Comedy Currently in American films there are two female comedy stars – Melissa McCarthy and Amy Schumer. That seems like a bounty as often there aren’t any acknowledged funny ladies, but the truth is they’re always … Continue reading

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