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The Silent Comedy Watch Party

The Silent Comedy Watch Party: Episode Vault

Could you use a few hundred good laughs? All the episodes of The Silent Comedy Watch Party are available below for you to sample or binge-watch. Click the arrow to expand each episode to see film details and watch the show.


Episode #101– June 9, 2024 featuring Dorothy Devore, Koko the Clown, and Laurel and Hardy.

‘TWAS MIDNIGHT (1919) starring Dorothy Devore, with Earl Rodney, Harry Rattenberry, Jack Henderson, Ward Caulfield, Gene Corey (a.k.a. Gino Corrado), Gus Leonard; prod: Al Christie; cartoons: Norman Z. McLeod; 1 reel; rel: December 1919 by The Christie Film Corporation.  

THE CLOWN’S LITTLE BROTHER (1917 -1920) starring Koko the Clown, with Max Fleischer, Dave Fleischer; prod: John R. Bray. 1 reel. digital file courtesy of Mauricio Alvarado and Fabulous Fleischer Cartoons Restored.

EARLY TO BED (1928) starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, with Buster; dir: Emmett Flynn; super: Leo McCarey: photo: George Stevens & Len Powers; titles: H.M. Walker; 2 reels; prod: Hal Roach; rel. October 6, 1928 by MGM. 

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

“Rewind” Episode – April 21, 2024 featuring Stan Laurel, Toto and Harold Lloyd. Originally streamed as Episode #24 on September 6, 2020.

SHORT ORDERS (1923) starring Stan Laurel, with George Rowe, Marie Mosquini, Eddie Baker, Mark Jones, Jack Ackroyd, Jack O’Brien; dir. Percy Pembroke; prod. Hal Roach; photo. Robert Doran; rel. September 2, 1923 by Roach Comedies; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the DVD The Stan Laurel Collection 2 (2008); available on Amazon

HIS BUSY DAY (1918) starring Toto, with Bud Jamison, Margaret Joslin, Harry Todd, Clarine Seymour, Charles Stevenson, Dee Lampton; prod. Hal Roach; photo. Robert Doran; rel. April 28, 1918 by the Rolin Film Company; 1 reel; presented in a digital transfer from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress.

FROM HAND TO MOUTH (1919) starring Harold Lloyd, with Mildred Davis, Peggy Cartwright, Snub Pollard, Wallace Howe, Gus Leonard, Noah Young, Mark Jones, Fred Newmeyer, Dee Lampton, Charles Stevenson, William Gillespie, Helen Gilmore; dir. Alfred J. Goulding; prod. Hal Roach; photo; Walter Lundin; rel. December 28, 1919 by the Rolin Film Company; presented courtesy of Harold Lloyd Entertainment and Suzanne Lloyd; released on the DVD The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection Vols. 1-3 (2005); available on Amazon.

Episode #100 – March 17, 2024 featuring Alice Howell, Johnny Arthur and Al. St. John.

SHOT IN THE EXCITEMENT (1914) starring Alice Howell & Al St John, with Rube Miller, Josef Swickard, Edwin Frazee, Grover Ligon; dir. Unknown (probably Rube Miller); prod. Mack Sennett; 1 reel; rel. October 26, 1914 by the Keystone Film Corporation; dist. Mutual Film Corp.digital file courtesy of the Library of Congress and Undercrank Productions; available on the DVD The Alice Howell Collection

CLEANING UP (1925) starring Johnny Arthur, with Helen Foster, George Davis, Mark Hamilton, Buster Brody, Chick Collins, Napoleon; dir & writ. William Goodrich (a.k.a. Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle); prod. Jack White Comedies; photo. Byron Houck; 2 reels; rel. November 22, 1925 by Educational Pictures; digital file courtesy of EYE Filmmuseum. PRESERVATION WORLD PREMIERE.

Episode #99 – February 18, 2024 featuring Billy Franey, Buster Keaton, and Louise Fazenda.

DIZZY DAISY (1924) starring Louise Fazenda, with Lee Moran, Bobby Burns, Cliff Bowes, Dick Sutherland, John Rand, Sunshine Hart, Vivian Vance, Jack Lloyd, James Hertz, Freddy; dir & writ. Fred Hibbard; prod. Jack White Comedies; 2 reels; rel. June 29, 1924 by Educational Pictures; digital file courtesy of an anonymous supporter.

THE NEW MEMBER (1921) starring Billy Franey, with Charles Haefeli, Charles Post, E. Vilip, Jess Weldon; dir & writ. Grover Jones; prod. Nat H. Spitzer; photo. George Richter; 1 reel; rel. January 1921 by Reelcraft Pictures Corporation; digital file courtesy of Rob Stone and the Library of Congress.

CONVICT 13 (1920) starring Buster Keaton, with Sybil Seely, Eddie Cline, Joe Roberts, Joe Keaton; dir & writ. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; photo. Elgin Lessley; 2 reels; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; rel. October 27, 1920 by Metro Pictures.

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

Episode #98 – January 14, 2024 featuring Hank Mann, Laurel & Hardy, and Gale Henry.

ONE DAY IN HOLLYWOOD (1924) starring Hank Mann and Gale Henry, with Buddy, John Frederick Caldwell, Muriel Reynolds; dir & prod. Fred Caldwell for L.K.C. Productions; 2 reels; rel. April 15, 1924 by the Selznick Distributing Corporation; dist. Standard Cinema Corporation;digital file courtesy of an anonymous supporter. 

FROM SOUP TO NUTS (1928) starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, with Anita Garvin, Tiny Sandford, Edna Marion, Elinor Vanderveer, Otto Fries, Dorothy Coburn, Buddy, Sam Lufkin; dir. E. Livingston (Edgar) Kennedy; photo. Len Powers; titles. H.M. Walker; prod. Hal Roach; 2 reels. rel. March 24, 1928 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. MGM.

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Charlie Chaplin vs. America: When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided by Scott Eyman (Simon & Schuster, 2023)
Episode #97 – December 17, 2023 featuring Roscoe Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, and Charley Chase.

THE HAYSEED (1919) starring Roscoe Arbuckle and Buster Keaton, with Molly Malone, Luke, Jack Coogan, Rube Miller, Kitty Bradbury; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; writ. Jean Havez; photo. Elgin Lessley; 2 reels; rel. October 26, 1919 by the Comique Film Corp.; dist. Paramount Pictures; digital file courtesy of Lobster Films/Blackhawk Films Collection.

THERE AIN’T NO SANTA CLAUS (1926) starring Charley Chase, with Eugenia Gilbert, Noah Young, Kay Deslys, Mickey Bennett, Jane Eloise Elliott, Al Hallet, Fred Kelsey, Sam Lufkin, Harry Tenbrook; prod. Hal Roach; dir. James Parrott; photo. Len Powers; 2 reels; rel. December 12, 1926 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; digital file courtesy of Tracy Tolzman.

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

“Rewind” Episode – October 15, 2023 featuring Paul Parrott, Wanda Wiley and Buster Keaton. Originally streamed as Episode #16 on July 5, 2020.

SHINE ‘EM UP (1922) – starring Paul Parrott, with Eddie Baker, Jobyna Ralston, Gaylord Lloyd, William Gillespie, George Rowe, Marvin Loback, Mark Jones, Sammy Brooks; dir. James Davis; rel. November 5, 1922 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the DVD The Charley Chase Collection: Vol. 2 (2005); available on Amazon.  

A THRILLING ROMANCE (1926) – starring Wanda Wiley, with Earl McCarthy, Joe Bonner, Al Hallett; dir. Jess Robbins; scr. T. Page Wright; rel. July 14, 1926 by Century Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 2 reels; presented in an HD scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; special thanks to Nelson Hughes.

THE SCARECROW (1920) – starring Buster Keaton, with Joe Roberts, Sybil Seely, Luke, Joe Keaton, Eddie Cline. dir. & writ. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; rel. December 22, 1920 by Joseph M. Schenck Productions; dist. Metro Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.

Episode #95 – September 10, 2023 featuring Bobby Ray, Ford Sterling and Laurel and Hardy.

BOBBY’S DAY OUT (1926) starring Bobby Ray, with Frank J. Coleman, Eva McKenzie, Gordon Lewis, James Hertz; dir. unknown. prod & dist. Rayart Pictures; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from the Library of Congress courtesy of an anonymous donor; (Not the original film title).

LOVE AND RUBBISH (1913) starring Ford Sterling, with Charles Avery, Virginia Kirtley, Dave Anderson, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, Bill Hauber, Edgar Kennedy, Paul Jacobs; dir. Henry Lehrman; rel. July 14,1913 by Keystone Comedies; prod. Mack Sennett; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 1 reel. Presented in a digital scan courtesy of Dave Glass. 

DO DETECTIVES THINK? (1927) starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, with James Finlayson, Viola Richard, Noah Young, Will Stanton, Frank Brownlee, Wilson Benge, Charley Young, Chester Bachman; dir. Fred Guiol; writ. Hal Roach; titles. H.M. Walker; rel. November 20, 1927 by Hal Roach Comedies; prod. Hal Roach; dist. Pathe Exchange; 2 reels.

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations

“Rewind” Episode – August 13, 2023 featuring Charlie Chaplin, Carter De Haven and Lupino Lane. Originally streamed as Episode #86 on November 22, 2022.

HOW TO MAKE MOVIES (1918) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Albert Austin, Henry Bergman, Loyal Underwood, Tom Wilson, Tom Harrington, Granville Redmond, Jack Wilson, Tom Wood, Carter De Haven, Mut, Eric Campbell; Prod. & dir. Charles Chaplin; Never released; 1 reel; Courtesy the Association Chaplin.

CHARACTER STUDIES (1927) starring Carter De Haven, with Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Roscoe Arbuckle, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, Jackie Coogan; rel. November 20, 1927 by Educational Pictures; 1 reel; Courtesy the Library of Congress.

JOYLAND (1929) starring Lupino Lane, with Wallace Lupino, Muriel Evans, Burt Young, Jackie Levine, George Whiteley, George Atterbury; dir. Henry W. George (a.k.a. Lupino Lane); photo. Jay Turner; rel. July 21, 1929 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; Courtesy Dave Glass and the Library of Congress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKa9x6wAtqQ
Episode #94 – July 9, 2023 featuring Lupino Lane, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

MOVIELAND (1926) starring Lupino Lane, with Kathryn McGuire, Wallace Lupino, Glen Cavender, Tom Grady, Lloyd Hamilton; dir & writ. Norman Taurog; photo. Leonard Smith; rel. November 11, 1926 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan courtesy of Dave Glass.


SUGAR DADDIES (1927) starring Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy, with James Finlayson, Charlotte Mineau, Noah Young, Edna Marion, Budd Fine, Eugene Pallette, Villie Latimer, Jack Hill, Charlie Hall, Dorothy Coburn, Chester Bachman, Ray Cooke, Sam Lufkin, Jiggs; dir. Fred Guiol; super. Leo McCarey; writ. H.M. Walker; photo. George Stevens; rel. September 10, 1927 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. MGM. 2 reels.

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations

  • Laurel & Hardy: Year One Blu-ray (Flicker Alley, 2023); available on Amazon.
  • Ernie in Kovacsland by Ernie Kovacs, Josh Mills, Ben Model, Pat Thomas (Fantagraphics, July 25, 2023); available for purchase here with a free copy of Edie Adams’ autobiography Sing a Pretty Song.
Episode #93 – June 4, 2023 featuring Neely Edwards, Alice Howell and Edward Everett Horton, celebrating Undercrank Productions’ 10th Anniversary.

THE LITTLE PEST (1927) starring Neely Edwards, with Consuelo Dawn, Bud Jamison, Billy Kent Schaefer, Lyle Tayo; dir. Jay Belasco; super. W. Scott Darling; photo. Milton Bridenbecker; rel. January 10, 1927 by Bluebird Comedies; prod. Universal Pictures; 1 reel.

HOW STARS ARE MADE (1916) starring Alice Howell, with Raymond Griffith, Gertrude Selby, Reggie Morris, Dick Smith, Fatty Voss, Henry Lehrman, Billy Bevan; Dir. John G. Blystone; prod. Henry Lehrman; rel. June 17, 1916 by L-Ko Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 1 ½ reels.

SCRAMBLED WEDDINGS (1928) starring Edward Everett Horton, with Ruth Dwyer, Stanley Taylor, Josephine Crowell, Lillian Langdon, Lolita Lee, Wallace Howe, Robert O’Connor; dir. N.T. Barrows; story. T.J. Crizer & James Davis; photo. Henry N. Kohler; rel. June 30, 1928 by Hollywood Productions; dist. Paramount Pictures; 2 reels.

All films courtesy Undercrank Productions.

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations

Episode #92 – May 7, 2023 featuring films from “Cinema’s First Nasty Women”

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SPECIAL GUESTS: Elif Rongen-Kaynakçi, Curator of Silent Film at EYE Filmmuseum and Co-Curator of Cinema’s First Nasty Women. Maggie Hennefeld, Associate Professor of Cultural Studies & Comparative Literature at University of Minnesota, author of Specters of Slapstick and Silent Film Comediennes and Co-Curator of Cinema’s First Nasty Women.

A Nervous Kitchen Maid (1907) rel. June 29, 1907 by Pathé Frères.
Zoe and the Miraculous Umbrella (1913) starring Little Chrysia; dir. Romeo Bosetti; rel. November 7, 1913 by Pathé Comica.
Leontine, The Troublemaker (1911) starring Leontine, with Sarah  Duhamel; dir. Romeo Bosetti; rel. September 6, 1911 by Pathé Freres.
The Dairymaid’s Revenge (1899) dir & photo. Frank S. Armitage; rel. 1899 by the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company.
Patoulliard Has a Jealous Wife (1912) starring Sarah Duhamel and Paul Bertho; dir. Romeo Bosetti; rel. May 24, 1912 by Lux Films.
Daisy Doodad’s Dial (1914) starring Florence Turner and Laurence Trimble; dir. Laurence Trimble; rel. April 1914 by Turner Films, LTD: dist. Hepworth Manufacturing Company.

All films courtesy of Kino Video’s 2022 Cinema’s First Nasty Women Blu-Ray/DVD set 

Women Film Pioneers Project website: https://wfpp.columbia.edu/cinemas-first-nasty-women/
PDF of Cinema’s First Nasty Women: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0cwexgqmo52bhhz/NastyWomen_Booklet_Integrated_v1.pdf
Il Cinema Ritrovato on Tour in Minneapolis: https://mspfilm.org/2023-ritrovato-on-tour/
Nasty Women theme month on Movies Silentlyhttps://moviessilently.com/2023/05/06/theme-month-may-2023-nasty-women/

Episode #91 – April 2, 2023 featuring Johnny Arthur, Phil Dunham and Mary Ann Jackson.

Home Cured (1926) starring Johnny Arthur, with Virginia Vance, George Davis, Glen Cavender, Chick Collins, Robert Brower, Walter C. Reed, Frank Jonnason; dir. William Goodrich (a.k.a. Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle); st. Donna Barrell; photo. Byron Houck; rel. March 14, 1926 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman

The Radio Bug (1926) starring Phil Dunham, with Toy Gallagher, Clem Beauchamp, Jack Lloyd, Bert Young; dir. Stephen Roberts; prod. Jack White; photo. Dwight Warren; rel. September 12, 1926 by Jack White Cameo Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.

Smith’s Baby (1926) starring Raymond McKee and Mary Ann Jackson, with Ruth Hiatt, Sunshine Hart, Billy Gilbert, Bud Jamison, Jack Ackroyd, Joe Young, Budd Ross, Art Rowlands, Thelma Hill, Bobby Dunn, Eugenia Gilbert, Julia Griffith, Gordon Lewis, Andy Clyde, William McCall, Cap the dog; dir. Eddie Cline; story. Percy Heath & Vernon Smith; titles. Felix Adler & A. H. Giebler; photo. Vernon Walker; spec.photo. Ernie Crockett; rel. July 25, 1926 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchanges; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.


Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

Episode #90 – March 19, 2023 featuring Laurel & Hardy and Koko the Clown.

IT’S THE CATS (1926) starring Koko the Clown, with Fitz; prod. Max Fleischer; dir. Dave Fleischer; rel. June 1926 by Out of the Inkwell Films; dist. Red Seal Pictures; digital scan courtesy of Mauricio Alvarado and Fabulous Fleischer Cartoons Restored.

THE SECOND HUNDRED YEARS (1927) starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, with Tiny Sandford, James Finlayson, Frank Brownlee, Charlie Hall, Budd Fine, Jack Herrick, Hayes Robertson, Dorothy Coburn, Robert O’Connor, Otto Fries, F.F. Guenste, Chester Bachman, Eleanor Vanderveer, Eugene Pallette, Evelyn Burns; prod. Hal Roach; super. Leo McCarey; dir. Fred Guiol; titles. H.M. Walker; photo. George Stevens; rel. October 8, 1927 by the Hal Roach Studios; dist. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.


Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • HippFest at Home: Gone to the Dogs presentation by Steve Massa, George Willeman and Lyanne Schweighofer on YouTube.

Episode #89 – February 19, 2023 featuring Snub Pollard, Hank Mann and Al St John.

THE DUMB-BELL (1922)  starring Snub Pollard, with Marie Mosquini, Noah Young, Charles Stevenson, William Gillespie, George Rowe, Wallace Howe, Sammy Brooks, Lincoln Steadman, Jack O’Brien; prod. Hal Roach; dir. Charles Parrott; writ. H.M. Walker; rel. July 16, 1922 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange. 1 reel. Courtesy of David Kalat and All Day Entertainment.

THE BELL HOP (1919) starring Hank Mann, with Madge Kirby, Vernon Dent, Jess Weldon; prod. Morris Schlank; dir. Fred Windemere; Rel. 1919 by Arrow-Hank Mann Comedies; dist. Arrow Film Corporation; 1 reel; Courtesy of Chris Snowden and Unknown Video.

THE PAPER HANGERS (1920) starring Al St John, with Cliff Bowes, Joe Murphy; original title TROUBLE. rel. 1920 by Warner Brothers; 2 reels; Courtesy of Chris Snowden and Unknown Video.

Mentioned on episode:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations

  • Victor Moore and his Klever Komedies by Steve Massa and Rob Stone (Split Reel, 2023); available via Kickstarter.
Episode #88 – January 15, 2023 featuring Our Gang, Walter Hiers, and Laurel & Hardy.

WIRELESS LIZZIE (1926) starring Walter Hiers, with Duane Thompson, Jack Duffy, William Irving, Dorothy Vernon, Rosa Gore, Lincoln Plummer, George B. French; prod. Al Christie; dir. Earle Rodney; story. Robert Hall; cartoons. Norman Z. MacLeod; rel. March 7, 1926 by the Christie Film Co.; dist. Educational Pictures; originally 2 reels; digital scan courtesy of Robert Arkus.

OUR GANG AT HOME (1925) starring Mickey Daniels, Jackie Condon, Mary Korman, Allen “Farina” Hoskins, Joe Cobb, Johnny Downs, Robert McGowan; rel. November 8, 1925 by Pathe Review; dist. Pathe Exchange. ½ reel. Digital scan courtesy of Robert Arkus and the late David Wyatt.

PUTTING PANTS ON PHILIP (1927) starring Stan Laurel & OLiver Hardy, with Dorothy Coburn, Harvey Clark, Sam Lufkin, Chester Bachman, L.J. O’Connor; dir. Clyde Bruckman. super. Leo McCarey; prod. Hal Roach; title. H.M. Walker; photo. George Stevens; rel. December 3, 1927 by Hal Roach Comedies. Dist. Pathe Exchange; 2 reels.

Mentioned on episode:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations

  • Captain of her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies by Lara Gabrielle (University of California Press, 2022); available on Amazon
Episode #87 – December 11, 2022 featuring Jack Cooper and Our Gang.

THE YELLOW DOG CATCHER (1919) starring Jack Cooper, with Glen Cavender, Billy Franey, Alice Davenport, Laura La Varnie, Tom Kennedy, Bartine Burkett, Kid; dir. John G. Blystone; photo. Len Powers; prod. Hampton Del Ruth; rel. October 26, 1919 by Fox Sunshine Comedies; Dist. Fox Films; 2 reels; digital scan courtesy of Robert Arkus.

DOGS OF WAR (1923) starring Ernie Morrison & Mickey Daniels, with Mary Kornman, Jackie Condon, Jackie Davis, Allen “Farina” Hoskins, Joe Cobb, Roy Brooks, Dick Gilbert, Sam Lufkin, William Gillespie, Charles Stevenson, Vera White, Owen Evans, Ernest Morrison Sr., Charley Young, Eddie Baker, Paul Parrott, Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, Fred Newmeyer; dir. Robert McGowan; photo. Harry W. Gerstad; titles. H.M. Walker; rel. July 1, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of ClassicFlix; available on THE LITTLE RASCALS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION – CENTENNIAL EDITION on Blu-ray and DVD. 

Mentioned on episode:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations

  • Pimple’s Progress: Fred Evans, Britain’s First Comedy Film Star by Barry Anthony (McFarland, 2022); available on Amazon
Episode #85 – October 23, 2022 featuring Baby Peggy, Brownie the Wonder Dog, Arthur Trimble and Pete the pup.

BUSTER’S BUST-UP (1926) starring Arthur Trimble and Pete the pup, with Doreen Turner. prod. Abe & Julius Stern; dir. Gus Meins; rel. January 13, 1926 by the Century Comedy Company; dist. Universal Pictures Corporation; 2 reels; courtesy of D&D Productions and David Wyatt and Dave Glass. 

CIRCUS CLOWNS (1922) starring Baby Peggy and Brownie the Wonder dog, with Dick Smith, Lillian Biron, William Irving, Earl Montgomery, Jackie Morgan, Tiny Tim, Zip Monberg. prod. Abe & Julius Stern; dir & writ. Fred Hibbard; rel. January 25, 1922 by the Century Comedy Company; dist. Universal Pictures Corporation; 2 reels; courtesy of Undercrank productions, the Library of Congress, and The Museum of Modern Art.

SPECIAL GUEST: Thomas Reeder, author of Time is Money! The Century, Rainbow, and Stern Brothers Comedies of Julius and Abe Stern.

Episode #84 – September 23, 2022 featuring Eddie Boland, Victor Moore and Charley Chase.

A ROLLING STONE (1919) starring Billy West, with Ethlyn Gibson, Stanton Heck, Leo White, Eddie Barry, Robert McKenzie, Rube Miller, Steve Murphy; dir. Charles Parrott; photo. Herman Obrock; rel. January 20, 1919 by the Bulls Eye Film Corporation; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All day Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

PICKING PEACHES (1924) starring Harry Langdon, with Vernon Dent, Alberta Vaughn, Dot Farley, Ethel Teare, Kewpie Morgan, Irene Lentz; dir. Erle C. Kenton; photo. George Spear; special effects. Ernie Crockett & Pinto Colvig; prod. Mack Sennett; rel. February 3, 1914 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All Day Entertainment from the 2007 DVD Harry Langdon: Lost and Found.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Green Acres. Created by Jay Sommers, Filmways Television, 1975–1971.
Episode #83 – August 7, 2022 featuring Billy West and Harry Langdon.

A ROLLING STONE (1919) starring Billy West, with Ethlyn Gibson, Stanton Heck, Leo White, Eddie Barry, Robert McKenzie, Rube Miller, Steve Murphy; dir. Charles Parrott; photo. Herman Obrock; rel. January 20, 1919 by the Bulls Eye Film Corporation; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All day Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

PICKING PEACHES (1924) starring Harry Langdon, with Vernon Dent, Alberta Vaughn, Dot Farley, Ethel Teare, Kewpie Morgan, Irene Lentz; dir. Erle C. Kenton; photo. George Spear; special effects. Ernie Crockett & Pinto Colvig; prod. Mack Sennett; rel. February 3, 1914 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All Day Entertainment from the 2007 DVD Harry Langdon: Lost and Found.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Green Acres. Created by Jay Sommers, Filmways Television, 1975–1971.
Episode #82 – July 17, 2022 featuring Paul Parrott, Fraunie Fraunholz and Daphne Pollard.

SOFT PEDAL (1926) starring Paul Parrott, with Ernie “Sunshine Sammy” Morrison, Ethel Broadhurst, Mark Jones, George Rowe, Owen Evans, Ernie Morrison Sr., Charlie Young; dir. Raymond Grey; super. Charles Parrott; titles. H.M. Walker; rel. January 31, 1926 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist: Pathé Exchange; scan courtesy of David Kalat and All Day Entertainment.

MATRIMONY’S SPEED LIMIT (1913) starring Fraunie Fraunholz and Marian Swayne. Dir. Alice Guy-Blache; rel. June 11, 1913 by the Solax Film Company; courtesy of the DVD set The Origins of Film, produced by the Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institute; available on Amazon

THE CAMPUS VAMP (1928) starring Daphne Pollard and Carole Lombard, with Johnny Burke, Sally Eilers, Matty Kemp, The Sennett Girls, Alice Ward, Jack Cooper, Madalynne Field, Joe Young; dir. Harry Edwards; script. Jefferson Moffat & Carl Harbaugh; rel. November 25, 1928 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist: Pathé Exchange; courtesy of the Eden Films 1998 DVD of Nothing Sacred (1937).

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Geno’s House of Rare Films: https://www.youtube.com/c/GenosHouseofRareFilms
  • Cinema of Discovery: Julien Duvivier in the 1920s (Flicker Alley, 2022); available on Amazon
  • Lon Chaney: Before the Thousand Faces – Vol. 2 (Undercrank Productions, 2022).
Episode #81 – June 12, 2022 featuring Ben Turpin and Buster Keaton.

A BLONDE’S REVENGE (1926) starring Ben Turpin, with Ruth Taylor, Vernon Dent, Barbara Tennant, Johnny Burke, Thelma Parr, David Morris, Barney Hellum, Billy Gilbert, Alice Belcher, Alma Bennett, Mary Ann Jackson, Julia Griffith, Louise Carver, Marvin Loback, Mary Maybery, William McCall, Budd Ross, Art Rowlands; dir. Del Lord; rel. December 19, 1926 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist: Pathé Exchange; scanned from a 35mm print from Library of Congress.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Fred Karno: The Legend Behind the Laughter by David Krump (Brewin Books, 2021); available on Amazon.
Episode #80 – May 1, 2022 featuring Semon, Koko the Clown and Al St John.

THE SUITOR (1920) starring Larry Semon, with Lucille Carlisle, William McCall, Al Thompson, Frank “Fatty” Alexander, Bill Hauber, Blanche Payson; dir & writ. Larry Semon & Norman Taurog; rel. November 1, 1920 by the Vitagraph Film Co.; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan courtesy of Robert Arkus.

FLIES (1923) starring Koko the Clown, with Max Fleischer; rel. January 1923 by Out of the Inkwell Comedies; dist. M.J. Winkler; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan courtesy of Mauricio Alvarado and MaxFleischerCartoons.com.

STUPID BUT BRAVE (1924) starring Al St John, with Doris Deane, George Davis, “Kewpie” Morgan, Steve Murphy, Johnny Sinclair, Christine Francis, Eugene Palette, James Bryant, Chick Collins; dir & writ. Al St John (a.k.a. Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle); rel. October 26, 1924 by Reel Comedies, Inc.; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; presented in digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Mark Heller.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • City Lights dir. by Charlie Chaplin (1931) (Criterion Collection, 2016); available on Amazon
  • Camera Man: Buster Keaton, the Dawn of Cinema and the Invention of the Twentieth Century by Dana Stevens (Atria Books, 2022); available on Amazon.
Episode #79 – April 10, 2022 featuring Charley Chase, Oliver Hardy and Billy Bevan.

MARRIED TO ORDER (1920) starring Charles Parrott (Charley Chase) and Oliver Hardy, with Rosemary Theby, Leo White, Budd Ross, Charles Inslee; Dir. Charles Parrott; Prod. Louis Burnstein/ King Bee Film Co.; rel. October 30, 1920 by the Reelcraft Film Corporation; two reels; presented courtesy of David Kalat and All Day Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

HUBBY’S QUIET LITTLE GAME (1926) starring Billy Bevan, with Vernon Dent, Thelma Parr, Barbara Tennant, David Morris, Irving Bacon, Stanley Blystone, William McCall, George Gray, Eduardo Casino, Volga Casino, Violet Bird, Thelma Daniels, Connie Dawn, Muriel Montrose; Dir. Del Lord; Super. J.A. Waldron; Asst. Dir. Ray McCarey; st. Clarence Hennecke & Phil Whitman; titles. A.H. Giebler; photo. Ernest A. “Hap” DePew; rel. August 8, 1926 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Scheckman.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life by James Curtis (Knopf, 2022); available on Amazon.
  • Beverly of Graustark (dir. Sidney Franklin, 1926); released by Undercrank Productions.
Episode #78 – March 13, 2022 featuring Snub Pollard, Ben Turpin and Wanda Wiley.

RAISE THE RENT (1920) starring Snub Pollard and Marie Mosquini, with Charles Stevenson, Eddie Boland, Mark Jones, William Gillespie, Gaylord Lloyd, Sammy Brooks, Noah Young, Wallace Howe, Kid; dir. Fred Newmeyer; prod. Hal Roach; rel. February 22, 1920 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Scheckman.

SHE LOVED HIM PLENTY (1918) starring Ben Turpin & Heinie Conklin, with Polly Moran, Paddy McGuire, Frank Hayes, Pat Kelly, Marie Prevost, Edgar Kennedy; dir. F. Richard Jones & Hampton Del Ruth; photo. Fred Jackman & J. R. Lockwood; pro. Mack Sennett; dist. Paramount Pictures; rel. August 11, 1918 by Mack Sennett Comedies; originally 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from the Library of Congress, shown courtesy of Nelson Hughes and a private collector.

A SPEEDY MARRIAGE  (1925) starring Wanda Wiley, with Charles King, Hugh Saxon, James Renfro, Marjorie Beebe; dir & writ. Edward Luddy; prod. Abe & Julius Stern; rel. November 18, 1925 by Century Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Danish Film Institute.

 

Episode #77 – February 20, 2022 featuring Frederick J. Ireland, Rose Burkhart and Alice Howell.

WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY (1920) with Frederick J. Ireland, with Rose Burkhart, Tommy Flynn, Nema Cato, Rhea Laughlin, Lew Golden, Ernest Loos; dir. Frederick J. Ireland; rel. April 5, 1920 by the Emerald Film Co.; dist. Reelcraft Pictures; 2 reels; presented from a 16mm print courtesy of Henry Zorn; digital scan by Library of Congress. 

CINDERELLA CINDERS (1920) with Alice Howell, with Richard Smith, Rose Burkhart, Leo Sulky, Mattie Fitzgerald; dir. Frederick J. Ireland; rel. May 1920 by the Emerald Film Co.; dist. Reelcraft Pictures; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection.

Both of the shorts were directed by Frederick J. Ireland (president of the Emerald Film Co.) and shot in Chicago.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Ball of Fire (1941) directed by Howard Hawks (Paramount Video); available on Amazon
Episode #76 – February 6, 2022 featuring Gaylord Lloyd, Flora Finch, John Bunny and Will Rogers.

DODGE YOUR DEBTS (1921) – Gaylord Lloyd, with Estelle Harrison, Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, George Rowe, William Gillespie, Mark Jones, Chai Hong, Snub Pollard; dir. Erle C. Kenton; rel. October 16, 1921 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; one reel; presented courtesy of David Kalat and AllDay Entertainment from the 2008 DVD American Slapstick Vol. 2; available on Amazon

A CURE FOR POKERITIS (1912) starring John Bunny and Flora Finch, with Harry T. Morey, William Dunn, Charles Eldridge, Mary Maurice, Leah Baird, Arthur Rosson, James Morrison, Rose Tapley, Tom Powers; dir. Laurence Trimble; rel. February 23, 1912 by the Vitagraph Film Company.; one reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and The Blackhawk Film Collection, and is on the Slapstick Encyclopedia DVD available on Amazon

BIG MOMENTS FROM LITTLE PICTURES (1924) starring Will Rogers, with Marie Mosquini, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, Earl Mohan, Noah Young, Emma Tansey, Helen Gilmore, Jack Ackroyd, Charlie Hall, Billy Engle, Kewpie Morgan, Teddy; dir. Roy Clements; titles. H.M. Walker; photo. Robert Doran & Otto Himm; rel. March 30, 1924 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels;  presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and The Blackhawk Film Collection, and is on the Slapstick Encyclopedia DVD available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Star Struck: My Unlikely Road to Hollywood by Leonard Maltin (GoodKnight Books, 2021); available from Amazon
  • Zander the Great directed by George W. Hill (Cosmopolitan Productions, 1925); available from Undercrank Productions.
Episode #75 – January 23, 2022 featuring Our Gang and Clyde Cook. Special Guest: Leonard Maltin.

BACK STAGE (1923) starring Mickey Daniels, Ernie Morrison, Allen Hoskins, Jackie Condon, Jack Davis, Joe Cobb, with William Gillespie, Wallace Howe, Roy Brooks, Richard Daniels, Beth Darlington, Chris Lynton, Robert McGowan, Josephine, Dinah; dir. Robert McGowan; st. Hal Roach; titles. H.M. Walker; photo. Len Powers; rel. June 3, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels; courtesy of ReelclassicDVD; available on Deep Discount in their The Our Gang Collection – Volume Three.

SHOULD SAILORS MARRY? (1925) starring Clyde Cook, with Fay Holderness, Noah Young, Martha Sleeper, Johnny Downs, Oliver Hardy, William Gillespie, Jack Ackroyd, Jules Mendel; prod. Hal Roach; dir. James Parrott (& uncredited Jess Robbins); photo. R. H. Weller; titles. H.M. Walker; super. F. Richard Jones; rel. November 8, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the 2005 DVD release Slapstick Symposium: The Oliver Hardy Collection: available on Amazon


Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Star Struck: My Unlikely Road to Hollywood by Leonard Maltin (GoodKnight Books, 2021); available from Amazon
  • Zander the Great directed by George W. Hill (Cosmopolitan Productions, 1925); available from Undercrank Productions.
Episode #74 – January 9, 2022 featuring William Collier Sr., Blanche Payson, Martha Sleeper and Charley Chase.

WIFE AND AUTO TROUBLE (1916) starring William Collier Sr., with Blanche Payson, Mae Busch, Joseph “Baldy” Belmont, Alice Davenport, Fritz Schade, Eddie Cline, Wayland Trask, Al St John, Hugh Fay, Del Lord (stunt double for Mr. Collier); dir. Del Henderson; prod. Mack Sennett; story. Hampton Del Ruth; photo. Fred Jackman; rel. March 5, 1916 by the Keystone Film Company; dist. Triangle Film Corp.; two reels; courtesy of Reelclassic DVD; available on Amazon on their release of WHY WORRY?

BAD BOY (1925) starring Charley Chase, with Martha Sleeper, Hardee Kirkland, Evelyn Burns, Noah Young, Dave Anderson, Charles Force, Martin Wolfkeil, Eddie Borden, Jack Gavin, Leo Willis, Robert Page, Charles Bachman, Dick Gilbert, Jules Mendel, Charlie Hall, Harry Bowen; dir. Leo McCarey; prod. Hal Roach; super. F. Richard Joes; titles. H. M. Walker; photo. Len Powers; rel. April 12, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels; presented courtesy of David Kalat and All Day Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

Mentioned on episode 74:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations

  • The The Old Fashioned Way (1934) with W.C. Fields (Kino Lorber, 2021); available from Kino Lorber.
Rewind” Episode – December 19, 2021 featuring Martha Sleeper, Lillian Peacock and Charley Chase. Originally streamed as Episode #38 on December 20, 2020.

SURE-MIKE! (1925) starring Martha Sleeper, with James Finlayson, William Gillespie, Martin “Tonnage” Wolfkeil, Marjorie Whiteis, Fay Wray, Lyle Tayo, Jules Mendel; dir: Fred Guiol; rel. May 24, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.  

A SHADOWED SHADOW (1916) starring Lillian Peacock, with Billy Franey, Gale Henry, Milburne Moranti, Charles “Heinie” Conklin, Dan Duffy, John George; dir. William Beaudine; st. Jack Byrne; rel. November 4, 1916 by the Joker Comedy Company; dist. Universal Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from Library of Congress; shown courtesy of a private collector.

THERE AIN’T NO SANTA CLAUS (1926) starring Charley Chase, with Eugenia Gilbert, Noah Young, Kay Deslys, Mickey Bennett, Charlie Hall, Al Hallett, Fred Kelsey, Sam Lufkin, Harry Tenbrook; dir. James Parrott; photo. Len Powers; super. F. Richard Jones; rel. December 12, 1926 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented in a new digital scan from the Library of Congress of a rare 1930s 8mm Kodascope print courtesy of George Willeman.

Episode #73 – December 12, 2021 featuring Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Mabel Normand, Ford Sterling and Alberta Vaughn.

RAISE THE RENT (1920) starring Snub Pollard and Marie Mosquini, with Charles Stevenson, Eddie Boland, Mark Jones, William Gillespie, Gaylord Lloyd, Sammy Brooks, Noah Young, Wallace Howe; dir. Fred Newmeyer; prod. Hal Roach; rel. February 22, 1920 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Scheckman.

A MUDDY ROMANCE (1913) starring Mabel Normand and Ford Sterling, with Charles Inslee, Minta Durfee, Mack Swain, Charles Avery, Bill Hauber, Hank Mann, Rube Miller, George Jeske, Edgar Kennedy, Bert Hunn, Mai Wells, Harry Russell, Fritz Schade; prod & dir. Mack Sennett; rel. November 20, 1913 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Blackhawk Films.

SHERLOCK’S HOME (1924) starring Alberta Vaughn, with Al Cooke, Kit Guard, Gertrude Short, Edward Hearne, Bynunski Hymen, William Courtright, Billy Franey, David Morris, Si Jenks, Dorothy Vernon, Pat Kelly, Fanny Kelly, Gale Henry; dir. Mat St. Clair; script. George Marion Jr, & H.C. Witwer; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from an archival 16mm print courtesy of Dino Everett and the USC Hugh M. Hefner Moving Image Archive; the film is available on Amazon on the DVD Accidentally Preserved Vol. 2.

Mentioned on episode 73:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations

  • John Bunny  – Film’s First King of Comedy (Tony Susnick, 2017); available on Amazon
  • Lame Brains and Lunatics by Steve Massa (BearManor Media, 2013); available on Amazon.
“Rewind” Episode – December 5, 2021 featuring Alice Howell, Martha Sleeper, and Charley Chase. Originally streamed as Episode #42 on January 24, 2021.

His Wooden Leg-acy (1920) starring Alice Howell, with Leo Sulky, Theodore Lorch; super. Frederick J. Ireland; rel. 1920 by the Reelcraft Pictures Corp; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on The Alice Howell Collection (2019); available on Amazon

Mum’s the Word (1926) starring Charley Chase and Martha Sleeper, with Anders Randolph, Virginia Pearson, Evelyn Burns, Jack O’Brien; dir. Leo McCarey; photo. Floyd Jackman; super. F. Richard Jones; rel. May 9, 1926 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels;  presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the 2004 DVD release Slapstick Symposium: Charley Chase Vol. 1; available on Amazon

Episode #72 – November 28, 2021 featuring Ben Turpin and Our Gang.

YUKON JAKE (1924) starring Ben Turpin, with Natalie Kingston, Kalla Pasha, Jack Richardson, Budd Ross, Leo Sulky, Joe Young, Fanny Kelly, Andy Clyde, Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, Eli Stanton, Thelma Hill, Elsie Tarron, Hazel Williams, Gladys Tennyson, John Brown; dir. Del Lord; super. F. Richard Jones; prod. Mack Sennett; titles. John A. Waldron; photo. George Spear; spec. photo. Ernie Crockett; rel. June 8, 1924 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Film Collection; on Slapstick Encyclopedia available on Amazon.

THE MYSTERIOUS MYSTERY (1924) starring Mickey Daniels, Joe Cobb, Jackie Condon, Allen “Farina” Hoskins, and Eugene “Pineapple” Jackson, Andy Samuel, Sonny Loy, William Gillespie, Marie Mosquini, Sam Lufkin, Dick Gilbert, Chester Bachman, Chris Lynton, Charley Young; dir. Robert McGowan; story. Hal Roach; titles. H.M. Walker; rel. December 14, 1924 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels; courtesy of ReelclassicDVD; available on Amazon in their The Our Gang Collection: Volume Three.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Old Fashioned Way with W.C. Fields (Kino Lorber, 1934); available through Kino Lorber.
“Rewind” Episode November 21, 2021 featuring Monty Banks, Jimmie Adams and Charley Chase. Originally streamed as Episode #13 on June 14, 2020

THE FLIRTS (1919) starring Jimmie Adams, with Harry Mann, Leo White, Marvel Safford, Zip (George) Monberg, Charles Force, Russ Powell, Eva McKenzie, Eddie Baker, The Bulls-Eye Beauties, Mike Gefuelte (fish); dir. Charles Parrott; rel. circa April 8, 1919 by the Bulls Eye Film Corp.; two reels; sourced from a 35mm print at Library of Congress, and presented courtesy of David Kalat and All Day Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

CIRCUS TODAY (1926) starring Billy Bevan, with Andy Clyde, Madeline Hurlock, Kewpie Morgan, Billy Gilbert, Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, James Donnelly, Edgar Blue, George Gray, Marian McDonald, Joe Young, Josephine (monkey), Anna May (elephant), Numa & Duke (lions); dir. Del Lord; prod. Mack Sennett; super. J.A. Waldron; st. Gus Meins; titles. A. H. Giebler; photo. Ernie Crockett; rel. March 7, 1926 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Blackhawk Films.

Episode #71 – November 14, 2020 featuring Jimmie Adams, Andy Clyde and Billy Bevan.

THE FLIRTS (1919) starring Jimmie Adams, with Harry Mann, Leo White, Marvel Safford, Zip (George) Monberg, Charles Force, Russ Powell, Eva McKenzie, Eddie Baker, The Bulls-Eye Beauties, Mike Gefuelte (fish); dir. Charles Parrott; rel. circa April 8, 1919 by the Bulls Eye Film Corp.; two reels; sourced from a 35mm print at Library of Congress, and presented courtesy of David Kalat and All Day Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

CIRCUS TODAY (1926) starring Billy Bevan, with Andy Clyde, Madeline Hurlock, Kewpie Morgan, Billy Gilbert, Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, James Donnelly, Edgar Blue, George Gray, Marian McDonald, Joe Young, Josephine (monkey), Anna May (elephant), Numa & Duke (lions); dir. Del Lord; prod. Mack Sennett; super. J.A. Waldron; st. Gus Meins; titles. A. H. Giebler; photo. Ernie Crockett; rel. March 7, 1926 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Blackhawk Films.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Time is Money! The Century, Rainbow, and Stern Brothers Comedies of Julius and Abe Stern by Thomas Reeder (BearManor Media, 2021); available on Amazon.
“Rewind” Episode – November 7, 2021 featuring Lloyd Hamilton and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. Originally streamed as Episode #23 on August 23, 2020.

THE SIMP (1920) starring Lloyd Hamilton, with Marvel Rea, Otto Fries, Jess Weldon, Ray Berger, Hap Ward, Owen Evans; dir. Owen Davis & Arthur Roche; rel. October 24, 1920 by Hamilton White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; restored and presented courtesy of Dave Glass and David Wyatt; released on their DVD set Lloyd Hamilton: Silent Comedian, available on Amazon

THE WAITER’S BALL (1916) starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, with Al St John, Corinne Parquet, Kate Price, Robert Maximillan, Joe Bordeaux, Alice Lake, Horace Haine, Edward Earle, James Bryant; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle & Ferris Hartman; assist. dir. Dave Anderson; rel. June 25, 1916 by Mack Sennett for the Keystone Film Company; dist. Triangle Film Corporation; 2 reels; restoration by and presented courtesy of Dave Glass.

Rewind” Episode – October 31, 2021 featuring Alice Ardell, Gale Henry and Buster Keaton. Originally streamed as Episode #46 on February 21, 2020.

FRATERNITY MIXUP (1926) starring Alice Ardell and Gale Henry, with Yvonne Howell, Joe Bonner, Ella McKenzie, Eddie Harris, Hal Ford, Jack A Goodwin, Martin Kinney, Robert McKenzie; dir. Percy Pembroke; st. Robert McKenzie; prod. Joe Rock; rel. March 7, 1926 by Blue Ribbon Comedies; dist. Film Booking Offices; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman. 

THE HIGH SIGN (1921) starring Buster Keaton, with Bartine Burkett, Ingram Pickett, Al St John, Charles Dorety; dir & writ. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; photo. Elgin Lessley; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; rel. April 18, 1921 by the Comique Film Co.; dist. Metro Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.

Episode #70 – October 24, 2021 featuring Harry Watson Jr., Koko the Clown and Stan Laurel.

MUSTY’S VACATION (1917) starring Harry Watson Jr., with H.H. McCollum, Della Connor, Joe Burke; dir. Louis Myll: prod. George Kleine; rel. June 2, 1917 by George Kleine and Essanay; dist. K.E.S.E.; one reel; courtesy Undercrank Productions and a 16mm print from Library of Congress; on the Undercrank DVD The Mishaps of Musty Suffer Vol. 2; available on Amazon

KOKO SEES SPOOKS (1925) starring Koko the Clown with Max Fleischer, Fitz; dir. Dave Fleischer; prod. Max Fleischer; rel. August 15, 1925 by Out of the Inkwell Films; Dist. Red Seal Pictures; one reel; courtesy Tommy Stathes/Cartoons On Film.

DR. PYCKLE AND MR. PRYDE (1925) starring Stan Laurel, with Julie Leonard, Syd Crossley, Vera White, Pete the pup; dir. Percy Pembroke; prod. Joe Rock; rel. July 30, 1935 by Standard Cinema Corporation; dist. Selznick; two reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; on the DVD The Stan Laurel Collection available on Amazon

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • A Pictorial History of the Silent Screen (Putnam, 1953); available on Amazon.
  • Whispering Shadows (1921) and The Devil’s Assistant (1917) (Undercrank Productions, 2017); available on Amazon.
“Rewind” Episode – October 17, 2021 featuring Stan Laurel, Ham & Bud and Charlie Chaplin. Originally streamed as Episode #17 on July 12, 2020. 

ORANGES AND LEMONS (1923) – starring Stan Laurel, with Katherine Grant, Eddie Baker, George Rowe, Martin Wolfkeil, Owen Evans, Sammy Brooks, Fay Wray; dir. George Jeske; photo. Frank Young; rel. August 12, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchanges; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; released on the DVD The Stan Laurel Collection (2004); available on Amazon

THE BATHTUB BANDIT (1917) – starring Ham & Bud (Lloyd Hamilton & Bud Duncan), with Robert N. Bradbury, Juanita Sponsler, John Steppling; dir. Al Santell; rel. October 31, 1917 by the Kalem Film Company; dist. General Film Co.; 1 reel; presented in a 2K scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress.

THE RINK (1916) – starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, James T. Kelly, Henry Bergman, Frank J. Coleman, Albert Austin, John Rand, Charlotte Mineau, Leota Bryan, Lloyd Bacon; dir & writ. Charles Chaplin; photo. Roland Totheroh & George Zalibra; rel. December 11, 1916 by the Lone Star Film Corporation; dis. Mutual Film Corp.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; released on many DVD collections available through Amazon.

“Rewind” Episode – October 10, 2021 featuring Jane Bernoudy, Mabel Normand and Alice Howell. Originally streamed as Episode #19 on July 26, 2020.

THE‌ ‌HOLE‌ ‌IN‌ ‌THE‌ ‌WALL (1919) – starring Jane Bernoudy, with Bobby Vernon, Fred Ardath, Eddie Boland, Babe Nathan, Steve Murphy; dir. unknown; rel. October 10,1919 by the Nestor Film Co.; dist. Universal Pictures; 1 reel; preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from a 35mm original print; presented here courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; film is also available on the archive’s YouTube channel.

AT CONEY ISLAND (1912) – starring Mabel Normand, with Mack Sennett, Ford Sterling, Gus Pixley, Kenneth Casey, E. Vilip; dir. Mack Sennett; photo. Irvin Willat; rel. October 28, 1912 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; ½ reel; preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from a 35mm original print in the Jean Desmet Collection; presented here courtesy of EYE Filmmuseum; film is also available on the archive’s YouTube channel

A LITTLE HERO (1913) – starring Mabel Normand, Pepper; dir. unknown; rel. May 8, 1913 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; ½ reel; preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from a 35mm print; presented here courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; film is available on the archive’s YouTube channel

DISTILLED‌ ‌LOVE‌
(1920) – starring Alice Howell, with Oliver Hardy, Dick Smith, Eunice Murdock, Eva McKenzie, Fay McKenzie, Lee Morris, Fay Holderness, Billy Bevan, Lee Morris, Rae Godfrey, Robert McKenzie, Charles Inslee, Theda Bray (mule); dir. Dick Smith & Vin Moore; rel. 1920 by the Reelcraft Film Corp.; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress, and a 16mm print courtesy of Henry Zorn; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on The Alice Howell Collection (2019); available on Amazon.

Episode #69 – October 3, 2021 featuring Charley Chase, Mabel Normand, Mack Sennett, Ford Sterling, Buster Keaton and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.

THE FRAIDY CAT (1924) starring Charley Chase, with Beth Darlington, Earl Mohan, Mickey Daniels, Ernie “Sunshine Sammy” Morrison, Joe Cobb, Andy Samuel; dir. James Parrott; presented courtesy of David Kalat and AllDay Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

BARNEY OLDFIELD’S RACE FOR A LIFE (1913) starring Mabel Normand, Ford Sterling, and Mack Sennett, with Barney Oldfield, Raymond Hatton, Jack Leonard, Bill Hauber, Helen Holmes, Carmen Phillips, Rube Miller, Engineer McNeil; dir. Mack Sennett; photo. Walter Wright & Lee Bartholomew; rel. June 2, 1913 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; one reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection, available on DVD on The Slapstick Encyclopedia (Madacy Home Video).

THE ROUGH HOUSE (1917) starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, with Buster Keaton, Al St John, Agnes Neilson, Josephine Stevens, Arthur Earle, Joe Bordeaux, Robert Maximillian; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; st. Joe Roach; photo. Frank D. Williams; released June 25, 1917 by the Comique Film Corp.; dist. Paramount Pictures; two reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917 – 1923 (2016); available on Amazon.


Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Phantom Carriage (1921) directed by Victor Sjöstrom (Criterion Collection, 2011); available on Amazon.
  • Sunday, October 10 at 2:30pm: Paul Leni’s The Cat and the Canary (1927) at Empire State Musical Instrument Museum (NY State Fairgrounds) in Syracuse NY.
  • Friday, October 15 at 8:00pm: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) with Lon Chaney at Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, N.J.
“Rewind” Episode September 26, 2021 featuring Baby Peggy, Ford Sterling and Paul Parrott. Originally streamed as Episode #49 on March 14, 2021.

He Wouldn’t Stay Down (1915) starring Ford Sterling, with Minta Durfee, Charles Parrott, Frank Hayes, Dixie Chene, Harry Bernard, Dan Albert, William Sheer; dir. Ford Sterling; prod. Mack Sennett; rel. May 20, 1915 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Robert Arkus.

Carmen Jr. (1923) starring Baby Peggy, with Jackie Morgan, Lillian Hackett, Joe Moore, Inez McDonnell, Thomas Wonder, Max Asher, Bynunsky Hymen; dir. Alfred J. Goulding; rel. August 29, 1923 by Century Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Danish Film Institute

House of Flickers (1925) starring Paul Parrott, with Mildred June, William Courtright, Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, Robert McKenzie, Nelson McDowell, Kalla Pasha, Bobby Dunn, Josephine, Leo Sulky, Buddy Williams, Eddie Boland, Frank J. Coleman, Pete the Pup, Louise Carver, Buster Brody; dir. Benjamin Stoloff; rel. March 15, 1925 by the Fox Film Corporation; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Danish Film Institute.

Episode #68 – September 19, 2021 featuring Billy West, Madeline Hurlock, and Harry Langdon.

HE’S IN AGAIN (1918) starring Billy West, with Oliver Hardy, Florence Gilbert, Leo White, Budd Ross, Charles Inslee, Blanche Payson, Fay Holderness, Steve Murphy, Charles Parrott; prod. Milton Cohen; dir. Charles Parrott; rel. December 15, 1918 by the Bulls Eye Film Corporation; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Blackhawk Films.

HIS NEW MAMA (1924) starring Harry Langdon, with Madeline Hurlock, Andy Clyde, Alice Day, Jack Cooper, Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, Thelma Hill, Cecile Evans, Elsie Tarron, Mary Akin, Natalie Kingston, Margaret Cloud, Dorothy Dore, Evelyn Francisco, Eugenia Gilbert, Barney Hellum; prod. Mack Sennett; super. F. Richard Jones; dir. Roy Del Ruth; titles. John A. Waldron; photo. William “Billy” Williams; special photo. Ernie Crockett; rel. June 22, 1924 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All Day Entertainment and Lobster Films.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Tex Avery’s DROOPY: The Complete Theatrical Collection (Warner Video, 2018); available on Amazon
  • Little Elf: A Celebration of Harry Langdon by Chuck Harter, Michael J Hayde (BearManor Media, 2012); available on Amazon
  • Chaplin’s Vintage Year: The History of the Mutual-Chaplin Specials by Michael J Hayde (BearManor Media, 2016); available on Amazon
  • Rob Stone’s Kickstarter for POKES & JABBS: The Before, During and After of the Vim Films Corporation.   
  • Feel My Pulse (Gregory La Cava, 1928) at the Cinema Arts Centre – livestream Sept 20 at 7pm – https://bit.ly/CAC-FMPulse
“Rewind Episode” – September 12, 2021 featuring Cliff Bowes, Jack Duffy and Charley Chase. Originally streamed as Episode #20 on August 2, 2020.

PEP UP (1929) – starring Cliff Bowes, with Adrienne Dore, Marshall Ruth, Billy Dale, Emily Gerdes; dir. Francis J. Martin; photo. William Hyer; rel. February 24, 1929 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; one reel; presented from a tinted 16mm Kodascope print; special thanks to Robert Arkus.

LOVE’S YOUNG SCREAM (1928) – starring Jack Duffy, with Anne Cornwall, Jimmie Harrison, William Blaisdell, Glen Cavender, James Donnelly, Billy Engle; dir. William Watson; st. Sig Herzig; rel. May 12, 1928 by Christie Comedies; dist. Paramount Pictures; originally two reels; presented in a digital reconstruction from HD scans of two slightly abridged 16mm prints; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Accidentally Preserved Vol. 3 (2018); available on Amazon

FLUTTERING HEARTS (1927) -starring Charley Chase, with Martha Sleeper, Oliver Hardy, William Burress, Eugene Pallette, Charlie Hall, Dick Gilbert, Kay Delys, May Wallace, Jack Gavin; dir. James Parrott; rel. June 19, 1927 by the Hal Roach Studio; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels. 

Episode #67 – September 5, 2021 featuring Marcel Perez, Dorothy Earle, and Neal Burns.

YOU’RE NEXT (1919) starring Marcel Perez and Dorothy Earle, with Pierre Collasse, Billy Slade; dir. Marcel Perez; prod. William Steiner; rel. 1919 by the Territorial Sales Corporation; 2 reels; courtesy of a 35mm print from the Library of Congress and featured on Undercrank Productions’ The Marcel Perez Collection DVD; available on Amazon

CALL THE WAGON (1923) starring Neal Burns, with Charlotte Merriam, Babe London, George B. French. Billy Bletcher, Donald Keith, Lila Leslie, Zip Monberg; dir. Scott Sidney; Writ. Robert Hall: photo. Gus Peterson & Paul Garnett; cartoons. Norman Z. McLeod: prod. Al Christie; dist. Educational Pictures; rel. December 30, 1923 by Christie Film Co.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All Day Entertainment, and available on their DVD American Slapstick, Vol. 2; available on Amazon


Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Walt in Wonderland: The Silent Films of Walt Disney by Russell Meriitt and J.B. Kaufman  (John Hopkins University Press, 1993); available on Amazon.
“Rewind” Episode August 29, 2021 featuring Stan Laurel or Oliver Hardy. Originally streamed as Episode #47 on February 28, 2021.

AN EXPENSIVE VISIT (1915) starring Oliver Hardy, with Ed Lawrence, Raymond McKee, Ben Walker, Charles W. Ritchie; dir. Will Lewis; story. Edwin Ray Coffin; rel. March 23, 1915 by the Lubin Manufacturing Co.; dist. General Film Co.; 1 reel. 

THE SERENADE (1916) starring Oliver Hardy and Billy Ruge, with Billy Bletcher, Florence McLoughlin; dir. Will Louis; prod. Louis Burstein; rel. March 2, 1916 by Vim Films Corp.; dist. General Film Co.; 1 reel.

COLLARS AND CUFFS (1923) starring Stan Laurel, with Mark Jones, Eddie Baker, Katherine Grant, Jack Ackroyd, George Rowe, Sammy Brooks, Owen Evans; dir. George Jeske; photo. Frank Young; prod. Hal Roach; rel. July 1, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel.

WHEN KNIGHTS WERE COLD (1923) starring Stan Laurel, with Catherine Bennett, Scott MacGregor, Mae Laurel, William Armstrong, Will Bovis, Harry de More; dir. Frank Fouce; photo. Irving Reis; prod. Gilbert M. Anderson; rel. February 12, 1923 by Quality Pictures; dist. Metro Pictures; originally 2 reels. 

All films from the new Blu-ray release LAUREL OR HARDY: EARLY SOLO FILMS OF STAN LAUREL AND OLIVER HARDY. Courtesy of Flicker Alley, Lobster Films, the Library of Congress, Serge Bromberg, Eric Lange, Jeffrey Masino and Rob Stone. Available on Amazon.  

SPECIAL GUESTS: Serge Bromberg, chairman of Lobster Films, and Rob Stone, Moving Image Curator at Library of Congress joined us to talk about their Blu-ray release, Laurel or Hardy

Episode #66 August 22, 2021 featuring Turpin & Heinie Conklin, Earl Montgomery & Joe Rock, and Dorothy Devore.

SHE LOVED HIM PLENTY (1918) starring Ben Turpin & Heinie Conklin, with Polly Moran, Paddy McGuire, Frank Hayes, Pat Kelly, Marie Prevost, Edgar Kennedy; dir. F. Richard Jones & Hampton Del Ruth; photo. Fred Jackman & J. R. Lockwood; pro. Mack Sennett; dist. Paramount Pictures; rel. August 11, 1918 by Mack Sennett Comedies; originally 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from the Library of Congress, shown courtesy of Nelson Hughes and a private collector.

DAMSELS AND DANDIES (1919) starring Earl Montgomery & Joe Rock, with Max Asher, Blanche Payson; dir. Gilbert Pratt; writ. Grover Jones; rel. March 10, 1919 by the Vitagraph Film Company; originally two reels; presented in a digital scan from the Library of Congress, shown courtesy of Nelson Hughes and a private collector. 

KIDDING KATE (1923) starring Dorothy Devore, with Babe London, Jimmy Harrison, Eugenie Forde, Billy Bletcher, Blanche Payson, George K. French; dir. Scott Sidney; writ. Walter Graham; photo. Gus Peterson & Paul Garnett; cartoons. Norman Z. McLeod; prod. Al Christie; rel. December 2, 1923 by Educational Pictures: 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Michael Aus.


Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Ruggles of Red Gap (1935) directed by Leo McCarey, (Universal Vault series); available on Amazon.
Rewind” Episode August 15, 2021 featuring Lucien Bataille, Rene Poyen, Little Chrysia, and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. Originally streamed as Episode #37 on December 13, 2020.

ZIGOTO ET LA LOCOMOTIVE (ZIGOTO AND THE LOCOMOTIVE, 1912) starring Lucien Bataille, with Ernest Bourbon, Alphonse Foucher, Lonys, Gaston Modot; dir. Jean Durand; rel. October 5, 1912 by Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont; ½ reel.

BOUT DE ZAN ET LE CROCODILE (BOUT DE ZAN AND THE CROCODILE, 1913) starring René Poyen; dir. Louis Feuillade; rel. October 1913 by Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont; ½ reel.

ZOE A LA MAIN MALHEREUSE (ZOE HAS THE UNHAPPY HAND, 1913) starring Little Chrysia; rel. 1913 by Pathé Frères Company; ½ reel.

CAMPING OUT (1918) starring Roscoe Arbuckle, with Al St. John, Mildred Reardon, Monty Banks; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; rel. January 5, 1918 by the Comique Film Corporation; 2 reels.

SPECIAL GUEST: Elif Rongen-Kaynakçi, Curator of Silent film at EYE Filmmuseum. All films courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum, Netherlands

Episode #65 August 8, 2021 featuring Walter Lantz, Steve Murphy, and Buster Keaton.

BARNYARD RIVALS (1928) starring Walter Lantz, with Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, Marny Shaw; dir. Stan De Lay; prod. Bray Productions; rel. March 20, 1928 by Bray Whirlwind Comedies; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.

THE ELECTRIC HOUSE (1922) starring Buster Keaton, with Steve Murphy, Joe Roberts, Virginia Fox, Laura La Varnie, Helen Gilmore, Chick Collins; dir. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; photo. Elgin Lessley: prod. Joseph M. Schenck; dist. First National Pictures; rel. October 16, 1922 by the Comique Film Corp.; 2 reels: the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Edward Everett Horton: 8 Silent Comedies (Undercrank Productions, 2021); available on Amazon.
“Rewind” Episode August 1, 2021 featuring Stan Laurel, Norma Talmadge and Billy Bevan. Originally streamed as Episode #43 on January 31, 2021.

Just Rambling Along (1918) starring Stan Laurel, with Mildred Reardon, Margaret Joslin, Bud Jamison, Noah Young, James Parrott, Dorothea Wlbert, Max Hamburger, May Burns: dir. Hal Roach; rel. November 3, 1918 by the Rolin Film Co.; dist. Pathé Exchanges; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; released on the DVD The Stan Laurel Collection 2; available on Amazon

Father’s Hatband (1913) starring Norma Talmadge, with Van Dyke Brooke, Leo Delaney, Flora Finch; dir. Van Dyke Brooke; scen. Monte Katterjohn; rel. October 29, 1913 by the Vitagraph Company of America; 1 reel; this edition preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from a 35mm original in the Jean Desmet Collection; presented courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; the film is also viewable on the archive’s YouTube channel

Lizzies of the Field (1924) starring Billy Bevan, with Sid Smith, Barbara Pierce, Jack Richardson, Jack Lloyd, Spencer Bell, Andy Clyde, Tiny Ward, Ford West; dir. Del Lord; rel. September 7, 1924 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchanges; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Mark Roth; released on the DVD A Festival of Silent Comedy Vol. 4; available on Amazon.

A Tribute to Eileen Bowser (1928-2019), former Film Curator at Museum of Modern Art and scholar of early cinema and silent comedy.

Episode #64 July 25, 2021 featuring Lee Moran, Jerry Mandy, and Charlie Chaplin.

UP ON THE FARM (1925) starring Lee Moran, with Bud Jamison, Spencer Bell, Merta Sterling; dir. Lewis Seiler; rel. January 11, 1925 by the Fox Film Corporation; prod. Imperial Comedies; originally 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.

ALL IN FUN (1928) starring Jerry Mandy, with Dan Peterson, Robert Graves, Jackie Levine, Jack “Tiny” Lipson, Bobby Barber, Al Thompson; dir. Francis J. Martin; photo. William Hyer; prod. Jack White; rel. October 21, 1928 by Cameo Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.

WORK (1915) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Marta Golden, Billy Armstrong, Charles Inslee, Paddy McGuire, Leo White; dir & writ. Charles Chaplin; photo. Harry Ensign & Roland Totheroh; prod. Jess Robbins; rel. June 21, 1915 by the Essanay Film Corporation;  2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; available on Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies available through Amazon


Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • A Van Buren Production by Hal Erickson (McFarland, 2020); available on Amazon.
“Rewind” Episode July 18, 2021 featuring Ernie “Sunshine” Morrison. Originally streamed as Episode #30 on October 18, 2020. 

FIRE FIGHTERS (1922) starring Ernie Morrison, with Allen “Farina” Hoskins, Peggy Cartwright, Jackie Condon, Elmo Billings, Richard Billings, Betsy Ann Hisle, Kenneth Johnson, George Ward, Ernest Morrison Sr., George Rowe, Charles Stevenson; dir. Robert McGowan & Tom McNamara; super. Charles Parrott; titles. H.M. Walker; rel. October 8, 1922 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Mark Roth Reelclassic DVD; special thanks to Jack Roth; released on the DVD The Our Gang Collection Vol. 4; available on Amazon

DOGS OF WAR (1923) starring Ernie Morrison & Mickey Daniels, with Mary Kornman, Jackie Condon, Jackie Davis, Allen “Farina” Hoskins, Joe Cobb, Roy Brooks, Dick Gilbert, Sam Lufkin, William Gillespie, Charles Stevenson, Vera White, Owen Evans, Ernest Morrison Sr., Charley Young, Eddie Baker, Paul Parrott, Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, Fred Newmeyer; dir. Robert McGowan; photo. Harry W. Gerstad; titles. H.M. Walker; rel. July 1, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Mark Roth Reelclassic DVD;  released on the DVD A Festival of Silent Comedy Vol. 6; available on Amazon

SPECIAL GUEST: Ina Archer, a visual artist, filmmaker, programmer and writer, whose work examines the intersections of race/ethnicity, representation, and technology; Ms. Archer is also a media conservator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture.

Episode #63 July 11, 2021 featuring Arthur Trimble, Pete the Pup, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle and Buster Keaton.

BUSTER’S BIG CHANCE (1928) starring Arthur Trimble and Pete the Pup, with Doreen Turner, Albert Schaefer, Don Barclay, Bert Young, Ellen Corby, Dorothy Vernon; dir. Francis Corby; photo. Harry Forbes; prod. Abe & Julius Stern; rel. January 11, 1928 by Stern Brothers Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 2 reels; film transfer from vintage 16mm print, courtesy of Ben Model/Undercrank Productions. 

BACK STAGE (1919) starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle and Buster Keaton, with Al St John, Molly Malone, Jack Coogan, Charles “Buddy” Post, Rube Miller, Monty Collins Sr.; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; scen. Jean Havez; photo. Elgin Lessley; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; rel. September 7, 1919 by the Comique Film Corporation; dist. Paramount Pictures; 2 reels;  the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.


Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Lonesome (1928) directed by Paul Fejos (Criterion Collection, 2012); available on Amazon.
  • Accidentally Preserved: Volume 1 (Undercrank Productions, 2013); available from various retailers.

“Rewind” Episode – July 4, 2021 featuring Snub Pollard, Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran, and Charlie Chaplin. Originally streamed as Episode #22 on August 16, 2020.

PUNCH THE CLOCK (1922) starring Snub Pollard, with Eddie Baker, Marie Mosquini, George Rowe, William Gillespie, Mark Jones; dir. William Beaudine; superv. Charles Parrott; released June 4, 1922 by the Rolin Film Co.; dis. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel; presented from a 16mm print; courtesy of Robert Arkus.

WAITING AT THE CHURCH (1919) starring Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran, with Mildred Moore, Grace Marvin; dir. & writ. Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran; rel. August 4, 1919 by the Universal Film Co.; 1 reel; presented in an 2K scan of a 35mm print from the Library of Congress, courtesy of Michael Aus; released on the DVD Early Universal Films of Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran: Vol. 2; available on Ebay

THE CURE (1917) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, John Rand, Albert Austin, James T. Kelly, Frank J. Coleman, Henry Bergman, William Gillespie; dir. & writ. Charles Chaplin; photo. Roland Totheroh & George C. Zalibra; rel. April 16, 1917 by the Lone Star Film Corporation; dis. Mutual Film Corp.; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; available on many DVD collections, including the 2013 “Chaplin Project” digital restorations, available through Amazon.

SPECIAL GUEST: Film Historian Michael J. Hayde – author of Chaplin’s Vintage Year: The History of the the Mutual Chaplin Specials, Little Elf: A celebration of Harry Langdon, and more – joined us to talk about THE CURE and Chaplin’s days making his 12 famous Mutual Comedies.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Chaplin’s Vintage Year: The History of the Mutual-Chaplin Specials (BearManor Media, 2016); available on Amazon.
Episode #62 June 27, 2021 featuring Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Drew, Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran and Stan Laurel.

BOOBLEY’S BABY (1915) starring Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Drew, with Eddie Dunn, Courtlandt Van Dusen, Ann Brody; dir. Sidney Drew; writ. Paul West; rel. April 26, 1915 by the Vitagraph Film Corporation; 1 reel; presented in an HD scan courtesy of Michael Aus.

BEHIND THE SCREEN (1915) starring Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran, with Al Christie, Victoria Forde, Stella Adams, Harry Rattenberry, George French, Anton Nagy, Carmen Phillips, Charlie (elephant); dir & scen. Al Christie; prod. Nestor Films; dist. Universal Pictures; rel. July 23, 1915 by Nestor Films; 1 reel; presented in an HD scan from the Library of Congress, courtesy of Michael Aus; released on the DVD Early Universal Films of Eddie Lyons and Lee Moran: Vol 1; available on Ebay

WEST OF HOT DOG (1924) starring Stan Laurel, with Julie Leonard, Lew Meehan, Harry Martel, Syd Crossley; dir. Percy Pembroke; titles. Tay Garnett; photo. Edgar Lyons; prod. Joe Rock; rel. December 30, 1924 by the Standard Cinema Corporation; dist. F.B.O.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; released on the DVD The Stan Laurel Collection (2004); available on Amazon

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Kid (Criterion Collection, 2016); available on Amazon
“Rewind” Episode June 20, 2021 featuring Hank Mann, Bobby Bumps and Billy Bletcher. Originally streamed as Episode #14 on June 21, 2020. 

All of this week’s films were identified at Mostly Lost, the annual film identification workshop held by and at the Library of Congress.

On this episode, Ben and Steve were joined by Rob Stone and Rachel Del Gaudio of The Library of Congress, who are the co-organizers of the annual Mostly Lost film identification workshop. Mostly Lost 9 would have been held June 17-20, 2020, and is presented by and held at the Library of Congress Packard Preservation Campus in Culpeper VA.

THE NICKEL SNATCHER (1920) – starring Hank Mann, with Madge Kirby, Vernon Dent, James T. Kelly, Bert Gillespie; dir. Unknown; rel. 1920 by Morris Schlank for the Hank Mann Comedy Co.; dist. Arrow Film Corporation; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 1 (2016); available on Amazon

AND THE VILLAIN STILL PURSUED HER; OR, THE AUTHOR’S DREAM (1906) – starring Paul Panzer; dir. J. Stuart Blackton; rel. December 1, 1906 by the Vitagraph Company of America; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 2 (2018); available on Amazon

FRESH FISH (1922) – starring Bobby Bumps, with Fido; dir. & writ. Earl Hurd; rel. October 8, 1922 by Earl Hurd Cartoons; dist. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 2 (2018); available on Amazon

THE NOODLE NUT (1922) – starring Billy Bletcher, with Madge Kirby, William Irving, Robert McKenzie, Billy Engel; dir. Unknown; rel. 1922 by C.L. Chester Productions; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 2 (2018); available on Amazon.

Episode #61 June 13, 2021 featuring Harry Langdon and Buster Keaton.

ALL NIGHT LONG (1924) starring Harry Langdon, with Vernon Dent, Natalie Kingston, Fanny Kelly, Billy Gilbert, Andy Clyde, Leo Sulky; dir. Harry Edwards; Sup. F. Richard Jones; writ. Vernon Smith & Hal Conklin; titles. John A. Waldron; photo. William “Billy” Williams & Leland Davis; sp. photo. Ernie Crockett; prod. Mack Sennett; rel. November 9, 1924 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All Day Entertainment and Lobster Films.

COPS (1922) starring Buster Keaton, with Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts, Steve Murphy, Tom Murray, L.J. O’Connor, Teddy, Eddie Cline, Joseph Mitchell, Clyde Bruckman, Onyx; dir. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; writ. Clyde Bruckman, Joseph Mitchell; photo. Elgin Lessley; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; rel. March 11, 1922 by the Comique Film Corp.; dist. First National Pictures; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton (Santa Monica Press, 1999); available on Amazon.
  • Vitagraph: America’s First Great Motion Picture Studio (University Press of Kentucky, 2021); available on Amazon.
  • Lloyd Hamilton: Silent Comedian (D&D Productions, 2021); DVD available through Undercrank Productions.
  • Silentfilmspeed YouTube channel (2012). Buster Keaton’s Cops – real time speed (reel 2). [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi8UiHREtUI
Episode #60 June 6, 2021 featuring Wanda Wiley, Larry Semon and Gale Henry.

A SPEEDY MARRIAGE (1925) starring Wanda Wiley, with Charles King, Hugh Saxon, James Renfro, Marjorie Beebe; dir & writ. Edward Luddy; prod. Abe & Julius Stern; rel. November 18, 1925 by Century Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Danish Film Institute.  

PLAGUES AND PUPPY LOVE (1917) starring Larry Semon, with Florence Curtis, Joe Rock, Earl Montgomery, Joe Basil, Pete Gordon; dir. Larry Semon; writ. Graham Baker; rel. October 1, 1917 by the Vitagraph Film Corporation; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan of a 16mm print courtesy of Robert Arkus.

HER FIRST FLAME (1919) starring Gale Henry, with Phyllis Allen, Milburn Moranti, Hap Ward, Eddie Baker, Richard Currier, May Foster; dir. Bruno Becker; photo. George Larsen; ed. Richard Currier; rel. 1919 by the Model Film Co.; dist. Bulls-Eye Film Corporation; 2 reels; shown in a digital scan from a 35mm print at The Library of Congress.

Mentioned on episode:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Rise and Fall of Max Linder by Lisa Stein Haven (BearManor Media, 2021); available on Amazon.
Encore Episode May 30, 2021 featuring Martha Sleeper, Harry Watson Jr. and Mr. & Mrs. Carter De Haven.

SURE, MIKE! (1925) starring Martha Sleeper, with James Finlayson, William Gillespie, Martin “Tonnage” Wolfkeil, Marjorie Whiteis, Fay Wray, Lyle Tayo, Jules Mendel; dir. Fred Guiol; rel. May 24, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.  

LOCAL SHOWERS (1916) starring Harry Watson Jr. (“Musty Suffer”), with Dan Crimmins, Della Connor, H.H. McCollum; dir. Louis Myll; rel. July 12, 1916 by George Kleine; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from the 16mm print at The Library of Congress; released on the 2014 DVD The Mishaps of Musty Suffer Vol. 1 by Undercrank Productions; available on Amazon

A WAGGIN’ TALE (1923) starring Carter De Haven and Flora Parker De Haven, with Charles Force, Pal, Max Asher, May Wallace, Jiggs; dir. Carter De Haven; scen. Monty Brice; prod. P.A. Powers; rel. February 12, 1923 by Robertson-Cole Pictures Corp.; dist. FBO; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from an archival 16mm print courtesy of Dino Everett and the USC School of Cinematic Arts Hugh M. Hefner Moving Image Archive.

Episode #59 May 23, 2021 featuring Mabel Normand, Mack Sennett and Charley Chase.

MABEL’S DRAMATIC CAREER (1913) starring Mabel Normand, with Mack Sennett, Ford Sterling, Roscoe Arbuckle, Virginia Kirtley, Alice Davenport, Paul Jacobs, Charles Inslee, Charles Avery, Dave Anderson, Edgar Kennedy, Billy Gilbert, Hank Mann, Grover Ligon, Bert Hunn, Bill Hauber; dir. Mack Sennett; rel. September 8, 1913 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist: Mutual Film Corp.; 1 reel; courtesy of Blackhawk/Lobster Films; available on the DVD The Slapstick Encyclopedia.

DOG SHY (1926) starring Charley Chase, with Mildred June, Stuart Holmes, Josephine Crowell, William Orlamond, Fred Kelsey, Jerry Mandy, Buddy; dir. Leo McCarey; super. F. Richard Jones; rel. April 4, 1926 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of The Library of Congress.


Mentioned on episode 59:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Too Funny for Words by David Kalat (McFarland, 2019); available on Amazon.  
  • Slapstick Encyclopedia DVD (Madacy Home Video, 2012); available on Amazon.
Episode #58 May 16, 2021 featuring Dorothy Devore, Buster Keaton and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.

GETTING GERTIE’S GOAT(1924) starring Dorothy Devore, with Jimmie Harrison, Lincoln Plumer, Bud Fine, Babe London, Billy Bletcher, Jack Henderson, Victor Rodman; dir. Scott Sidney; writ. Walter Graham; photo. Gus Peterson & Paul Garnett; cartoons. Norman Z. McLeod; prod. Al Christie; rel. March 9, 1924 by Christie Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; courtesy of Dave Glass and his Reel Comedies YouTube channel

THE GARAGE (1920) starring Roscoe “Fatty”Abuckle and Buster Keaton, with Molly Malone, Dan Crimmins, Harry McCoy, Charles Dorety, Monty Banks, Luke, Polly Moran; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; scen. Jean Havez; photo. Elgin Lessley; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; rel. January 11, 1920 by the Comique Film Corp.; dist. Paramount Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon

Mentioned on episode 58:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (Universal, 1948); available on Amazon.
Episode #57 – May 9, 2021 featuring Charley Chase, Raymond McKee and Mary Ann Jackson.

HELLO BABY! (1925) starring Charley Chase, with Katherine Grant, Al Hallett; dir. Leo McCarey; photo. Len Powers; rel. January 18, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist: Pathé Exchanges; 1 reel; presented courtesy of David Kalat and AllDay Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

ALICE’S ORPHAN (1926) starring Margie Gay, with Julius, Oscar; dir. Walt Disney; prod. Margaret Winkler; rel. January 15, 1926 by Walt Disney Productions; dist: Margaret J. Winkler Prods.; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Tommy Stathes.

SMITH’S BABY(1926) starring Raymond McKee and Mary Ann Jackson, with Ruth Hiatt, Sunshine Hart, Billy Gilbert, Bud Jamison, Jack Ackroyd, Joe Young, Budd Ross, Art Rowlands, Thelma Hill, Bobby Dunn, Eugenia Gilbert, Julia Griffith, Gordon Lewis, Andy Clyde, William McCall, Cap the dog; dir. Eddie Cline; story. Percy Heath & Vernon Smith; titles. Felix Adler & A. H. Giebler; photo. Vernon Walker; spec. photo. Ernie Crockett; rel. July 25, 1926 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchanges; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.


Mentioned on episode 57:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • George Melies: First Wizard of Cinema 1896 – 1913 (Flicker Alley, 2008); available on Amazon.
Episode #56 May 2, 2021 featuring Arthur Trimble, Pete the Pup and Charlie Chaplin.

BUSTER’S MIX-UP (1926) starring Arthur Trimble and Pete the pup, with Doreen Turner, Leon Holmes, Addie McPhail; dir. Gus Meins; prod. Abe & Julius Stern; rel. May 12, 1926 by Century Comedies; dist. Universal; 2 reels; courtesy of Dave Glass and his Reel comedies YouTube Channel

THE FLOORWALKER (1916) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Lloyd Bacon, Albert Austin, Leo White, Charlotte Mineau, Tom Nelson, James T. Kelly, Frank J. Coleman, Leota Bryan; dir. Charles Chaplin; st. Charles Chaplin; scen. Vincent Bryan. Photo. William C. Foster & Roland Totheroh; rel. May 15, 1916 by the Lone Star Film Corporation; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Film Collection; released on many DVD collections through Amazon.


Mentioned on episode 56:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Ninotchka directed by Ernst Lubitsch (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939); available on Amazon
  • Shop Around the Corner directed by Ernst Lubitsch (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1940); available on Amazon
  • Heaven Can Wait directed by Ernst Lubitsch (20th Century Fox, 1942); available on Amazon
  • To Be Or Not To Be directed by Ernst Lubitsch (Romaine Film Corp., 1942); available on Amazon
  • Little Old New York directed by Sidney Olcott (Cosmopolitan Productions, 1923); available from Undercrank Productions
  • Dave Glass’s YouTube channel
Episode #55 – April 25, 2021 featuring Charley Chase, Ernie Kovacs and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.

THE RAT’S KNUCKLES (1925) starring Charley Chase, with Martha Sleeper, William Gillespie, Jules Mendel, Sammy Brooks, Jack Gavin, Dick Gilbert, Helen Gilmore; dir. Leo McCarey; prod. Hal Roach; photo. Robert Doran; rel. January 4, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé; 1 reel; presented courtesy of David Kalat and AllDay Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

BASEBALL FILM (1951) starring Ernie Kovacs; dir. Ernie Kovacs; prod. WPTZ Channel 3 (Philadelphia); originally aired 1951 on “It’s Time for Ernie” and “Ernie in Kovacsland”; courtesy of Ediad Productions; available on the DVD The Ernie Kovacs Collection: Centennial Edition from Shout Factory; available on Amazon.

CONEY ISLAND (1917) starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, with Buster Keaton, Al St John, Alice Mann, Agnes Neilson, James Bryant, Joe Bordeaux, Luke; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; photo. George Peters; rel. October 29, 1917 by Comique Film Corporation; dist. Paramount Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon


Mentioned on episode 55:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Cat and the Canary (1927) Dir. Paul Leni (Kino, 2007); available on Amazon.
Episode #54 April 18, 2021 featuring Malcolm “Big Boy” Sebastian, Kate Price and Buster Keaton.

HOT LUCK (1928) starring Malcolm “Big Boy” Sebastian, with Billy Sullivan, Jack Miller, Lorraine Rivero, Eva Thatcher; dir. Charles Lamont; photo. William Hyer; prod. Jack White; rel. September 2, 1928 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; presented in an HD digital scan courtesy of Undercrank Productions; released on the DVD Accidentally Preserved Vol. 3 (2018); available on Amazon.

MY WIFE’S RELATIONS (1922) starring Buster Keaton and Kate Price, with Joe Roberts, Tom Wilson, Monty Collins Sr., Harry Madison, Wheezer Dell; dir. & writ. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; rel. May 6, 1922 the Comique Film Corp.; dist. First National Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.


Mentioned on episode 54:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies (Flicker Alley, 2015); available on Amazon.
  • Ben Model’s YouTube channel (2015). Helter Skelter (1929) [Video]. You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyD99wp6GPg

Episode #53 April 11, 2021 featuring Arthur Machin, Harold Lloyd and Gale Henry. Special guest: Bruno Mestdagh.

MADAM BABYLAS AIME LES ANIMAUX (MADAME BABYLAS LOVES ANIMALS, 1911) starring Louis-Jacques Boucot: dir. Alfred Machin; rel. 1911 by Pathé Frères: 1 reel.

SAÏDA A ENLEVÉ MANNEKEN PIS: DÉSOPILLANTE AVENTURE DU PREMIER CITOYEN DE BRUXELLES (Saïda has kidnapped Manneken Pis: A hilarious adventure of Brussels’ first citizen, 1913) with Nicolas Ambreville, Balthus, Arthur Devere, Fernand Gravey, Willy Maury; dir & writ. Alfred Machin; rel. March 7, 1913 by Belge-Cinéma Film; 1 reel.

SHE WROTE A PLAY AND PLAYED IT (1916) starring Gale Henry, with Billy Franey, Milburne Morante, Lillian Peacock, Kewpie Morgan; dir. Allen Curtis; scen. Bennett Cohen; rel. August 12, 1916 by Joker Film Co.; dist. Universal Film Co.; 1 reel.

CLUBS ARE TRUMPS (1917) starring Harold Lloyd, with Bebe Daniels, Snub Pollard, Bud Jamison, Margaret Joslin, Harry Todd, William Blaisdell, Marie Mosquini, Charles Stevenson, Sammy Brooks, Slim Voorhees, Fred Newmeyer; dir. Hal Roach; titles. H.M. Walker; photo. Walter Lundin; rel. November 18, 1917 by the Rolin Film Co.; dist. Pathé Exchange. 

Special Guest: Bruno Mestdagh, Head of the Digital Film Collection for The Royal Belgian Film Archive’s Cinematek.

Episode #52 – April 4, 2021 featuring Harry Langdon, Marceline Day and Charlie Chaplin.

THE LUCK O’ THE FOOLISH (1924) starring Harry Langdon, with Marceline Day, Frank J. Coleman, Madeline Hurlock, Eli Stanton, Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, Yorke Sherwood, Madaline Hurlock, Louise Carver, Hayes Robertson, Leo Sulky, Barney Hellum; dir. Harry Edwards; titles. Jack Wagner; photo. William “Billy” Williams; rel. September 1424 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All Day Entertainment.

THE TRAMP (1915) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Billy Armstrong, Paddy McGuire, Bud Jamison, Leo White, Ernest Van Pelt, Lloyd Bacon; dir. & writ. Charles Chaplin; photo. Harry Ensign; rel. April 12, 1915 by the Essanay Film Manufacturing Co.; dist. General Film Co.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Blackhawk Films/Lobster; released on DVD by Kino on Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies Vol. 1 (2012), and released on Blu-ray/DVD by Flicker Alley on Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies (2015).


Mentioned on episode 52:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Ball of Fire directed by Howard Hawks (Goldwyn, 1941); available on Amazon.
  • Lon Chaney: Before the Thousand Faces (Undercrank Productions, 2017); available on Amazon.
Episode #51 March 28, 2021 featuring Monty Collins, Max Asher and Charley Chase.

THREE TOUGH ONIONS (1928) starring Monty Collins, with Estelle Bradley, Robert Graves, Bobby Burns, Katherine Parrish; dir. Jules White. rel. May 20, 1928 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Scheckman.

MILLIONAIRE FOR A MINUTE (1915) starring Max Asher, with Gale Henry, Billy Franey, Milburne Morante, Lillian Peacock, Heinie Conklin; dir. Allen Curtis; rel. October 6, 1915 by Joker Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Scheckman. 

LOOKING FOR SALLY (1925) starring Charley Chase, Katherine Grant, Noah Young, Leo Willis, Bynunsky Hymen, Evelyn Burns, John Prince, Rolfe Sedan, Jack Gavin, George Rowe, Jules Mendel, Sammy Brooks, Martin Wolfkeil, Dick Gilbert, Robert Paige ; dir. Leo McCarey; Super. F. Richard Jones; rel. May 10, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; Dist. Pathé Exchange; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All Day Entertainment.


Mentioned on episode 51:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Rose’s Royal Midgets and Other Little People of Vaudeville by Trav S.D. (Vaudevisuals Press, 2020); available on Amazon.
Episode #50 – March 21, 2021 featuring Hank Mann, Ko-Ko the Clown and Wanda Wiley.

AN EYE FOR FIGURES (1920) starring Hank Mann, with Madge Kirby, Vernon Dent, James T. Kelly; prod. Morris Schlank; dist. Arrow Film Corp.; rel. 1920 by the Hank Mann Comedy Co.; 1 reel; digital scan made from a 16mm print courtesy of Undercrank Productions.

KO-KO IN THE FADEAWAY (1926) starring Ko-Ko the Clown, with Fitz, Max Fleischer; dir. Dave Fleischer; prod. Max Fleischer; dist. Red Seal Pictures Corp.; rel. September 1, 1926 by Out of the Inkwell Films, Inc.; 1 reel; digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Undercrank Productions.

THE QUEEN OF ACES (1925) starring Wanda Wiley, with Al Alt, Dorothy Vernon, Century Follies Girls, George Williams; dir. & writ. William Watson; rel. May 13, 1925 by the Universal Film Co.; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 35mm print at the Library of Congress; courtesy of Nelson Hughes.

Episode #49 March 14, 2020 featuring Baby Peggy, Ford Sterling and Paul Parrott

He Wouldn’t Stay Down (1915) starring Ford Sterling, with Minta Durfee, Charles Parrott, Frank Hayes, Dixie Chene, Harry Bernard, Dan Albert, William Sheer; dir. Ford Sterling; prod. Mack Sennett; rel. May 20, 1915 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Robert Arkus.

Carmen Jr. (1923) starring Baby Peggy, with Jackie Morgan, Lillian Hackett, Joe Moore, Inez McDonnell, Thomas Wonder, Max Asher, Bynunsky Hymen; dir. Alfred J. Goulding; rel. August 29, 1923 by Century Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Danish Film Institute

House of Flickers (1925) starring Paul Parrott, with Mildred June, William Courtright, Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, Robert McKenzie, Nelson McDowell, Kalla Pasha, Bobby Dunn, Josephine, Leo Sulky, Buddy Williams, Eddie Boland, Frank J. Coleman, Pete the Pup, Louise Carver, Buster Brody; dir. Benjamin Stoloff; rel. March 15, 1925 by the Fox Film Corporation; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Danish Film Institute.

Mentioned on episode 49:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

Episode #48 – March 7, 2021 featuring Billy Bevan, Madeline Hurlock and Charlie Chaplin.

Films scheduled for this episode:

Ice Cold Cocos (1926) starring Billy Bevan and Madeline Hurlock, with Andy Clyde, “Kewpie” Morgan, Louise Carver, Leo Sulky, Barney Hellum, Billy Gilbert, Budd Ross, Julia Duncan, Thelma Hill, Della Peterson, Elsie Tarron; prod. Mack Sennett; dir. Del Lord; story. Clarence Hennecke & Phil Whitman; titles. A. H. Giebler; photo. “Hap” DePew; spec. photo. Ernie Crockett; rel. June 20, 1926 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.

One AM (1916) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Albert Austin; dir. & writ. Charles Chaplin; photo. William C. Foster & Roland Totheroh; rel. August 7, 1916 by the Lone Star Film Corporation; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Film Collection; released on many DVD collections through Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 48:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Dan Mason: From Vaudeville to Broadway to the Silent Screen by Joseph P. Eckhardt (McFarland, 2021); available on Amazon
Episode #47 February 28, 2021 featuring Stan Laurel or Oliver Hardy. Special guests: Serge Bromberg and Rob Stone.

AN EXPENSIVE VISIT (1915) starring Oliver Hardy, with Ed Lawrence, Raymond McKee, Ben Walker, Charles W. Ritchie; dir. Will Lewis; story. Edwin Ray Coffin; rel. March 23, 1915 by the Lubin Manufacturing Co.; dist. General Film Co.; 1 reel. 

THE SERENADE (1916) starring Oliver Hardy and Billy Ruge, with Billy Bletcher, Florence McLoughlin; dir. Will Louis; prod. Louis Burstein; rel. March 2, 1916 by Vim Films Corp.; dist. General Film Co.; 1 reel.

COLLARS AND CUFFS (1923) starring Stan Laurel, with Mark Jones, Eddie Baker, Katherine Grant, Jack Ackroyd, George Rowe, Sammy Brooks, Owen Evans; dir. George Jeske; photo. Frank Young; prod. Hal Roach; rel. July 1, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel.

WHEN KNIGHTS WERE COLD (1923) starring Stan Laurel, with Catherine Bennett, Scott MacGregor, Mae Laurel, William Armstrong, Will Bovis, Harry de More; dir. Frank Fouce; photo. Irving Reis; prod. Gilbert M. Anderson; rel. February 12, 1923 by Quality Pictures; dist. Metro Pictures; originally 2 reels. 

SPECIAL GUESTS: Serge Bromberg, chairman of Lobster Films, and Rob Stone, Moving Image Curator at Library of Congress will join us to talk about their Blu-ray release, Laurel or Hardy.

All films from the new Blu-ray release Laurel or Hardy: Early Solo Films of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Courtesy of Flicker Alley, Lobster Films, the Library of Congress, Serge Bromberg, Eric Lange, Jeffrey Masino and Rob Stone. Available on Amazon

Episode #46 February 21, 2021 featuring Alice Ardell, Gale Henry and Buster Keaton.

Films scheduled for this episode:

A FRATERNITY MIXUP (1926) starring Alice Ardell and Gale Henry, with Yvonne Howell, Joe Bonner, Ella McKenzie, Eddie Harris, Hal Ford, Jack A Goodwin, Martin Kinney, Robert McKenzie; dir. Percy Pembroke; st. Robert McKenzie; prod. Joe Rock; rel. March 7, 1926 by Blue Ribbon Comedies; dist. Film Booking Offices; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman. 

THE HIGH SIGN (1921) starring Buster Keaton, with Bartine Burkett, Ingram Pickett, Al St John, Charles Dorety; dir & writ. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; photo. Elgin Lessley; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; rel. April 18, 1921 by the Comique Film Co.; dist. Metro Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.


Mentioned on episode 46:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Max Linder Collection (Kino Lorber/Lobster, 2014); available on Amazon.
Episode #45 – February 14, 2021 featuring Henry Murdock, Mabel Normand and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.

COOK, PAPA, COOK (1928) starring Henry Murdock, with Lucille Hutton, Eva Thatcher, Billy Brandon; dir. Wallace MacDonald; prod. Jack White; rel. September 9, 1928 by Jack White Cameo Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan of a 16mm print; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Accidentally Preserved Vol. 2 (2013); available on Amazon

FATTY AND MABEL ADRIFT (1916) starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle and Mabel Normand, with Al St John, Luke, Frank Hayes, Mai Wells, Glen Cavender, Wayland Trask, Joe Bordeaux, James Bryant; dir. Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle; asst. Dir. Dave Anderson; prod. Mack Sennett; rel. January 9, 1916 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Triangle Film Corp.; 3 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; released on many DVD collections available through Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 45:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Laurel or Hardy (Flicker Alley, 2021); available on Amazon.
  • Fay Wray and Robert Riskin: A Hollywood Memoir by Victoria Riskin (University Press of Kentucky, 2021); available from Kentucky Press and Amazon
Episode #44 February 7, 2020 featuring Alice Ardell, Elinor Field and Charlie Chaplin.

VAMPING BABIES (1926) starring Alice Ardell, with Louis Sargent, Bud Jamison, James Donnelly, Eddie Barry, Max Asher; dir. Unknown; prod. Joe Rock; rel. June 27, 1926 by Blue Ribbon Comedies; dist. Film Booking Offices; originally 2 reels; presented in a digital scan courtesy of Robert Arkus.

EASY PAYMENTS (1919) starring Elinor Field, with Harry Depp, George Pearce, Harry Mann, George B. French; dir. William Beaudine. prod. Al Christie; st. Karl R. Coolidge; photo. Bert Wright; rel. January 26, 1919 by Strand Comedies; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan courtesy of Richard Sheckman.

THE COUNT (1916) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Charlotte Mineau, James T. Kelly, Eva Thatcher, Frank J. Colman, Loyal Underwood, Albert Austin, Leo White, Leota Bryan, May White; dir & writ. Charles Chaplin; photo. Roland Totheroh & George C. Zalibra; rel. September 4, 1916 by the Lone Star Film Corp; dis. Mutual Film Corp.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; released on many DVD collections available through Amazon.

Episode #43 January 31, 2021 featuring Stan Laurel, Norma Talmadge and Billy Bevan. A Tribute to Eileen Bowser; Special guest: Ron Magliozzi.

Just Rambling Along (1918) starring Stan Laurel, with Mildred Reardon, Margaret Joslin, Bud Jamison, Noah Young, James Parrott, Dorothea Wlbert, Max Hamburger, May Burns: dir. Hal Roach; rel. November 3, 1918 by the Rolin Film Co.; dist. Pathé Exchanges; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; released on the DVD The Stan Laurel Collection 2; available on Amazon

Father’s Hatband (1913) starring Norma Talmadge, with Van Dyke Brooke, Leo Delaney, Flora Finch; dir. Van Dyke Brooke; scen. Monte Katterjohn; rel. October 29, 1913 by the Vitagraph Company of America; 1 reel; this edition preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from a 35mm original in the Jean Desmet Collection; presented courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; the film is also viewable on the archive’s YouTube channel

Lizzies of the Field (1924) starring Billy Bevan, with Sid Smith, Barbara Pierce, Jack Richardson, Jack Lloyd, Spencer Bell, Andy Clyde, Tiny Ward, Ford West; dir. Del Lord; rel. September 7, 1924 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchanges; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Mark Roth; released on the DVD A Festival of Silent Comedy Vol. 4; available on Amazon.

A Tribute to Eileen Bowser (1928-2019), former Film Curator at Museum of Modern Art and scholar of early cinema and silent comedy.

Episode #42 January 24, 2021 featuring Alice Howell, Martha Sleeper and Charley Chase.

His Wooden Leg-acy (1920) starring Alice Howell, with Leo Sulky, Theodore Lorch; super. Frederick J. Ireland; rel. 1920 by the Reelcraft Pictures Corp; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on The Alice Howell Collection (2019); available on Amazon

Mum’s the Word (1926) starring Charley Chase and Martha Sleeper, with Anders Randolph, Virginia Pearson, Evelyn Burns, Jack O’Brien; dir. Leo McCarey; photo. Floyd Jackman; super. F. Richard Jones; rel. May 9, 1926 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels;  presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the 2004 DVD release Slapstick Symposium: Charley Chase Vol. 1; available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 42:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Harvey (1950) (Universal Video, 2007); available on Amazon
Episode #41 January 17, 2021 featuring Johnny Arthur, Harry Watson Jr. and Buster Keaton.

HOME CURED (1926) starring Johnny Arthur, with Virginia Vance, George Davis, Glen Cavender, Chick Collins, Robert Brower, Walter C. Reed, Frank Jonnason; dir. William Goodrich (a.k.a. Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle); st. Donna Barrell; photo. Byron Houck; rel. March 14, 1916 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.

BLOW YOUR HORN (1916) starring Harry Watson Jr., with Joe Burke, Maxfield Moree, H.H. McCollum; dir. Louis Myll; rel. June 21, 1916 by George Kleine Productions; presented in a digital scan from the 16mm print at Library of Congress; released on the 2014 DVD The Mishaps of Musty Suffer Vol. 1 by Undercrank Productions; available on Amazon

THE BLACKSMITH (1922) starring Buster Keaton, with Joe Roberts, Virginia Fox, Billy Franey, Eddie Cline, Mal St. Clair; dir. Buster Keaton & Mal St. Clair; photo. Elgin Lessley; released July 21, 1922 by the Comique Film Corp.; dist. First national Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.  

Mentioned on episode 41:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Vitaphone Comedy Collection Vol. 1Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle/Shemp Howard (1932-1934) (Warner Archives, 2012); available on Amazon.
Episode #40 January 10, 2021 featuring Phil Dunham, Gale Henry and Harry Langdon.

THE RADIO BUG (1926) starring Phil Dunham, with Toy Gallagher, Clem Beauchamp, Jack Lloyd, Bert Young; dir. Stephen Roberts; prod. Jack White; photo. Dwight Warren; rel. September 12, 1926 by Jack White Cameo Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman.

LADY BAFFLES AND DETECTIVE DUCK IN WHEN THE WETS WENT DRY (Episode 9, 1915) starring Gale Henry, with Max Asher, Billy Franey, Lillian Peacock, Milburn Moranti, Bobby Vernon, Charles “Heinie” Conklin; dir. Allen Curtis; sc. Clarence Badger; st. Gale Henry; prod. Pat Powers; rel. October 14, 1915 by Powers Picture Plays; dist. Universal Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print at Library of Congress, shown courtesy of a private collector.

HIS MARRIAGE WOW (1925) starring Harry Langdon, with Natalie Kingston, Vernon Dent, William McCall, Thelma Parr, Art Rowlands, Ronald Tilley, Thelma Hill, Silas Wilcox, Charles Bachman, Gordon Lewis, Jack Murphy, Georgia Hale; dir. Harry Edwards; st. Arthur Ripley; titles. Felix Adler & A.H. Giebler; photo. William Williams & Leland Davis; spec photo. Ernie Crockett;. rel. March 1, 1925 by Mack Sennett Comedies.; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of David Kalat; released on the DVD The Harry Langdon Collection: Lost and Found (2007); available on Amazon

Mentioned on episode 40:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Selected Short Subjects: From Spanky to The Three Stooges by Leonard Maltin (Da Capo Press, 1972, 2001, 2015); available on Amazon.
Episode #39 – January 3, 2021 featuring Jack Duffy, Charlotte Meriam and Charlie Chaplin.

NO VACANCIES (1923) starring Charlotte Merriam and Jack Duffy, with Jay Belasco, Billy Armstrong, Margaret Cullington, Blanche Payson, Eddie Baker, Jack Ackroyd, Thelma Hill; dir & prod. Reggie Morris; rel. 1923 by Speed Comedies; dist. Arrow Film Corp.; 2 reels; presented in an HD digital scan of a unique 16mm print from the collection of Ralph Celentano; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Accidentally Preserved Vol. 3 (2018); available on Amazon

THE BANK (1915) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Billy Armstrong, Carl Stockdale, Leo White, Lawrence Bowes, Charles Inslee, Paddy McGuire, Carrie Clark Ward, Fred Goodwins; dir & writ. Charles Chaplin; rel. August 9, 1915 by the Essanay Film Co.; dist. General Film Co.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Blackhawk Films/Lobster; released on DVD by Kino on Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies Vol. 2 (2012) and released on Blu-ray/DVD by Flicker Alley on Chaplin’s Essanay Comedies (1915) (2015).

Mentioned on episode 39:
Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • It’s a Gift (1934) with W.C. Fields (Universal Vault Series, 2017); available on Amazon.
Encore Episode December 27, 2020 featuring Snub Pollard, Billie Ritchie and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.

Films scheduled for this episode:

IT’S A GIFT (1923) – starring Snub Pollard, with William Gillespie, Wallace Howe, Marie Mosquini, Noah Young, Charley Young, Mark Jones; dir. Hugh Fay; rel. October 14, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathe Exchanges; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; sourced from the Slapstick Encyclopedia (2012) box set; available on Amazon

FATHER WAS A LOAFER (1915) – starring Billie Ritchie, with Gertrude Selby, Alice Howell, Louise Orth, Hank Mann, Eva Nelson, Harry Russell; dir. Henry Lehrman; rel. February 10, 1915 by L-Ko Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print at the Library of Congress; released on the DVD The Alice Howell Collection by Undercrank Productions; available on Amazon

THE BUTCHER BOY (1917) – starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, with Josephine Stevens, Buster Keaton, Al St. John, Agnes Neilson, Arthur Earle, Luke; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; rel. April 23, 1917 by the Comique Film Corp.; dist: Paramount; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; released on the DVD/Blu-ray Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923; available on Amazon.

Episode #38 – December 20, 2020 featuring Martha Sleeper, Lillian Peacock and Charley Chase.

SURE-MIKE! (1925) starring Martha Sleeper, with James Finlayson, William Gillespie, Martin “Tonnage” Wolfkeil, Marjorie Whiteis, Fay Wray, Lyle Tayo, Jules Mendel; dir: Fred Guiol; rel. May 24, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Richard Sheckman and F.I.L.M. Archives.  

A SHADOWED SHADOW (1916) starring Lillian Peacock, with Billy Franey, Gale Henry, Milburne Moranti, Charles “Heinie” Conklin, Dan Duffy, John George; dir. William Beaudine; st. Jack Byrne; rel. November 4, 1916 by the Joker Comedy Company; dist. Universal Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from Library of Congress; digital file obtained from the Library of Congress provided courtesy of a private collector.

THERE AIN’T NO SANTA CLAUS (1926) starring Charley Chase, with Eugenia Gilbert, Noah Young, Kay Deslys, Mickey Bennett, Charlie Hall, Al Hallett, Fred Kelsey, Sam Lufkin, Harry Tenbrook; dir. James Parrott; photo. Len Powers; super. F. Richard Jones; rel. December 12, 1926 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented in a new digital scan from the Library of Congress of a rare 1930s 8mm Kodascope print courtesy of Geo. Willeman. Viewing of this film is by courtesy of Sonar Entertainment Distribution LLC.

Mentioned on episode 38:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Winsor McCay: His Life and Art by John Canemaker (Abbeville Press, 1987); available on Amazon.
Episode #37 – December 13, 2020 featuring Lucien Bataille, René Poyen, Little Chrysia, and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. Special guest: Elif Rongen-Kaynakçi.

ZIGOTO ET LA LOCOMOTIVE (ZIGOTO AND THE LOCOMOTIVE, 1912) starring Lucien Bataille, with Ernest Bourbon, Alphonse Foucher, Lonys, Gaston Modot; dir. Jean Durand; rel. October 5, 1912 by Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont; ½ reel.

BOUT DE ZAN ET LE CROCODILE (BOUT DE ZAN AND THE CROCODILE, 1913) starring René Poyen; dir. Louis Feuillade; rel. October 1913 by Société des Etablissements L. Gaumont; ½ reel.

ZOE A LA MAIN MALHEREUSE (ZOE HAS THE UNHAPPY HAND, 1913) starring Little Chrysia; rel. 1913 by Pathé Frères Company; ½ reel.

CAMPING OUT (1918) starring Roscoe Arbuckle, with Al St. John, Mildred Reardon, Monty Banks; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; prod. Joseph M. Schenck; rel. January 5, 1918 by the Comique Film Corporation; 2 reels.

SPECIAL GUEST: Elif Rongen-Kaynakçi, Curator of Silent film at EYE Filmmuseum.

Mentioned on episode 37:

Resources Steve Massa and Ben Model’s recommended during the show:

  • Information about the EYE Filmmuseum’s Jean Desmet Collection
  • The EYE Filmmuseum’s YouTube channel
  • EYE Film’s collection of shorts with Little Chryssia/Cunegonde
  • We streamed Cunegonde Femme Crampon (1912) on episode 10 – you can watch Steve’s intro and the film itself with Ben’s live score here.
  • Steve Massa’s book Rediscovering Roscoe: The Films of “Fatty” Arbuckle (BearManor Media, 2019) is available on Amazon et al.
  • The website for Ben’s Undercrank Productions DVDs, including buying links, are here
  • Silent Comedy Watch Party mugs, t-shirts, masks and more can be purchased here
Episode #36 – December 6, 2020 featuring Mark Jones, Sunshine Hart and Gale Henry.

Films scheduled for this episode:


FAMILY LIFE (1924) starring Mark Jones and Sunshine Hart, with Otto Fries, Ruth Hiatt, Tommy Hicks; dir. Robert Kerr; photo. Barney McGill; rel. March 30, 1924 by Jack White Comedies; dist: Educational Pictures: 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection.

PANTS (1919) starringGale Henry, Milburn Moranti, Hap Ward, Raye Hampton, Eddie Baker, Lee Morris, Richard Currier; dir. Bruno J. Becker; photo. Irving G. Ries; editor. Richard Currier; rel. 1919 by the Model Film Company; dist. Bulls Eye Film Corporation; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from 35mm preservation by the Library of Congress; digital files obtained from LoC and provided by a private collector.

COMING SOON: on December 13, our guest will be Elif Rongen-Kaynakci of the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) when we will screen the rarely-seen Arbuckle short CAMPING OUT (1918) and three “Euro-clowns” split-reel films from the EYE’s Jean Desmet Collection. And on December 20, our “holiday” program will feature the extremely rare Charley Chase comedy THERE AIN’T NO SANTA CLAUS (1925).

Mentioned on episode 36:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

Encore Episode November 29, 2020 featuring Monty Collins, Mabel Normand and Will Rogers.

IT’S ME (1927) – starring Monty Collins, with Lucille Hutton, Phil Dunham, Robert Graves; dir. Harry Sweet; rel. December 4,1927 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented from a 16mm print courtesy of Kim Deitch. (originally streamed on Episode 6 – April 26, 2020)

WON IN A CLOSET (1914 – British release title WON IN A CUPBOARD) – starring Mabel Normand, with Charles Avery, Alice Davenport, Charles Inslee, Rube Miller, Hank Mann, Bill Hauber, Al St John; dir. Mabel Normand; prod. Mack Sennett; rel. January 22, 1914 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; available online at the National Film Preservation Foundation’s screening room; also available on the DVD Lost and Found: American Treasures from the New Zealand Film Archive (2013)from Amazon(originally streamed on Episode 15 – June 28, 2020)

JUS’ PASSIN’ THROUGH  (1923) starring Will Rogers, with Marie Mosquini, Noah Young, Earl Mohan, Billy Engle, Wallace Howe, Leo Willis, James Finlayson, Richard Daniels, Ford West, Vera White, Helen Gilmore, Jackie Condon; dir. Charles Parrott; rel. October 4, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of David Kalat/ All Day Entertainment in a digital scan from a 35mm print at Library of Congress. (originally streamed on Episode 25 – September 13, 2020)

Episode #35 – November 22, 2020 featuring Charley Chase, Victoria Forde, and Harold Lloyd.

A TEN-MINUTE EGG (1924) starring Charley Chase, with Ena Gregory, Noah Young, Jack Gavin, Emma Tansey, Joe Forte, Martha Sleeper, Bynunsky Hymen, Charlie Hall; dir. Leo McCarey; prod. Hal Roach; rel. July 20, 1924 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel; presented courtesy of David Kalat and AllDay Entertainment from the 2009 DVD Becoming Charley Chase.

THE MISFIT (a.k.a. UNDER ORDERS, 1924) starring Clyde Cook, with Blanche Payson, Joe Roberts, Fred Peters; dir. Albert Austin & Clyde Cook; prod. Lou Anger & Joseph M. Schenck; rel. March 23, 1924 by Educational Pictures; 1 reel (originally 2); presented in an HD digital scan from a 16mm print; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Accidentally Preserved Vol. 1 (2013); available on Amazon

BUMPING INTO BROADWAY (1919) starring Harold Lloyd, with Bebe Daniels, Snub Pollard, Helen Gilmore, Noah Young, Gus Leonard, Fred Newmeyer, Charles Stevenson, Sammy Brooks, Gaylord Lloyd, Marie Mosquini, Mark Jones, William Gillespie, Bartine Burkett, Molly Thompson, Dee Lampton, Estelle Harrison; dir. Hal Roach: asst. Dir. Frank Terry; titles. H.M. Walker; photo. Walter Lundin; rel. November 2, 1919 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist: Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Harold Lloyd Entertainment and Suzanne Lloyd; released on the DVD The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection Vols. 13 (2005); available through Amazon

Mentioned on episode 35:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Mon Oncle (1958); dir. Jacques Tati; Criterion Collection; available on Amazon.
Episode #34 – November 15, 2020 featuring Keystone Teddy, Gloria Swanson, Bobby Vernon and Lloyd Hamilton.

TEDDY AT THE THROTTLE (1917) starring Keystone Teddy, Gloria Swanson, Bobby Vernon, with Wallace Beery, May Emory, Blanche Phillips, Charles Bennett, Bert Gillespie, Hal Haig Priest, Paul J. Case, Roxana McGowan; dir. Clarence Badger; photo. J.C. Bitzer; prod. Mack Sennett; rel. April 15, 1917 by the Keystone Film Company; dist. Triangle Film Corporation; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Film Collection.

PAPA’S BOY (1927) starring Lloyd Hamilton, with Glen Cavender, Betty Boyd, Al Thompson, Robert Graves, Blanche Payson, Jack “Tiny” Lipson, Mutt; dir. Norman Taurog; photo. Leonard Smith; rel. December 18, 1927 by the Lloyd Hamilton Corporation; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; presented in an HD digital scan from a rare 16mm print courtesy of Undercrank Productions; available on the DVD Accidentally Preserved Vol. 2; available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 34:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • When Comedy Was King DVD (Kit Parker Films, 2017); available on Amazon.  
Episode #33 November 8, 2020 featuring Jack Duffy, Ben Turpin, and Charlie Chaplin.

LOOSE CHANGE (1928) starring Jack Duffy, with Neal Burns, Lorraine Eddy, Glen Cavender, Winnie Law, Buddy, Eddie Barry, George Rowe; dir. Harold Beaudine; st. Sid Herzig; prod. Al Christie; released by Christie Comedies on October 6, 1928; dist. Paramount Pictures; originally 2 reels; presented in an HD digital scan from a 16mm copy printed in 1945, issued by Hollywood Film Enterprises; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Accidentally Preserved Vol. 1 (2013); available on Amazon

VERSUS SLEDGE HAMMERS (1915) starring Ben Turpin, with Margaret Joslin, Victor Potel, Harry Todd, Robert McKenzie; dir. Roy Clements; prod. G.M. Anderson; released September 2, 1915 by the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Christopher Snowden and Unknown Video. 

THE IMMIGRANT (1917) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Albert Austin, Henry Bergman, Kitty Bradbury, Frank J. Coleman, Loyal Underwood, William Gillespie, James T. Kelly, Tom Harrigan; dir & st. Charles Chaplin; photo. Roland Totheroh & George C. Zalibra; released June 18, 1917 by the Lone Star Film Corporation; dist: Mutual Pictures; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Film Collection; released on many DVD collections available through Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 33:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

Episode #32 – November 1, 2020 featuring Louise Fazenda, Chester Conklin and Lupino Lane.


THE VILLAGE CHESTNUT (1918) starring Louise Fazenda and Chester Conklin, with Paddy McGuire, Eva Thatcher, Gene Rogers, Pat Kelly, Garry O’Dell, Myrtle Lind, George Grey, Hughie Mack, Harriet Hammond, Al McKinnon; dir. Walter Wright & Raymond Griffith; photo. Fred Jackman & Phil Whitman; rel. December 29, 1918 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Paramount Pictures; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum, Library of Congress and the National Film Preservation Foundation; available online at the National Film Preservation Foundation’s Screening Room

ONLY ME (1929) starring Lupino Lane, with Wallace Lupino; dir. Henry W. George (a.k.a. Lupino Lane); photo. Leonard Smith; rel. January 20, 1929 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Film Collection.

Mentioned on episode 32:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Harry Langdon at Hal Roach: The Talkies 1929-30 (Kit Parker Films, 2020); available on Amazon
Episode #31 – October 25, 2020 featuring Pokes & Jabs (Bobby Burns & Walter Stull), Harry Watson Jr. (“Musty Suffer”) and Buster Keaton
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DEVILED CRABS (1917) starring Pokes & Jabs (Bobby Burns & Walter Stull), with Edna Reynolds; dir. Bobby Burns & Walter Stull; rel. October 1917 by the Jaxon Film Corporation; dist. General Film Company; 1 reel; presented courtesy of the Library of Congress in a digital scan from their 35mm print. 

LOCAL SHOWERS (1916) starring Harry Watson, Jr. (“Musty Suffer”), with Dan Crimmins, Della Connor, H.H. McCollum; dir. Louis Myll; rel. July 12, 1916 by George Kleine; 1 reel; presented in a digital scan from a 16mm preservation master at Library of Congress; released on the 2014 DVD The Mishaps of Musty Suffer Vol. 1 by Undercrank Productions; available on Amazon

THE HAUNTED HOUSE (1921) starring Buster Keaton, with Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts, Paddy McGuire, Eddie Cline; dir. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; rel. February 10, 1921 by the Comique Film Corporation; dis. Metro Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 31:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Nutty Professor by Jerry Lewis (Paramount Home Video, 1963); available on Amazon
  • The Mishaps of Musty Suffer Vol. 1 (Undercrank Productions, 2014); available on Amazon
Episode #30 – October 18, 2020 featuring Ernie “Sunshine Sammy” Morrison. Special guest: Ina Archer.

FIRE FIGHTERS (1922) starring Ernie Morrison, with Allen “Farina” Hoskins, Peggy Cartwright, Jackie Condon, Elmo Billings, Richard Billings, Betsy Ann Hisle, Kenneth Johnson, George Ward, Ernest Morrison Sr., George Rowe, Charles Stevenson; dir. Robert McGowan & Tom McNamara; super. Charles Parrott; titles. H.M. Walker; rel. October 8, 1922 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Mark Roth Reelclassic DVD; special thanks to Jack Roth; released on the DVD The Our Gang Collection Vol. 4; available on Amazon

DOGS OF WAR (1923) starring Ernie Morrison & Mickey Daniels, with Mary Kornman, Jackie Condon, Jackie Davis, Allen “Farina” Hoskins, Joe Cobb, Roy Brooks, Dick Gilbert, Sam Lufkin, William Gillespie, Charles Stevenson, Vera White, Owen Evans, Ernest Morrison Sr., Charley Young, Eddie Baker, Paul Parrott, Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston, Fred Newmeyer; dir. Robert McGowan; photo. Harry W. Gerstad; titles. H.M. Walker; rel. July 1, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Mark Roth Reelclassic DVD;  released on the DVD A Festival of Silent Comedy Vol. 6; available on Amazon.

SPECIAL GUESTIna Archer, a visual artist, filmmaker, programmer and writer, whose work examines the intersections of race/ethnicity, representation, and technology; Ms. Archer is also a media conservator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture.

Mentioned on episode 30:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

Episode #29 – October 11, 2020 featuring Sid Smith and Harold Lloyd.
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OUT BOUND (1924) starring Sid Smith, with Cliff Bowes, Virginia Vance, Bobby Burns; dir. Harry Edwards; photo. Barney McGill; rel. May11,1924 by Jack White Comedies; dis. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Blackhawk Films. 

NOW OR NEVER (1921) starring Harold Lloyd, with Mildred Davis, Anna May Bilson, Norma Nichols, William Gillespie, Charles Stevenson, Wallace Howe, Mark Jones, Noah Young, Molly Thompson, Ernest Morrison Sr., Earl Mohan, Evelyn Burns, Roy Brooks, Charles Force, Vera White, Sammy Brooks, Gaylord Lloyd; dir. Hal Roach & Fred Newmeyer; scen. Sam Taylor; photo. Walter Lundin; rel. May 12, 1921 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Associated Exhibitors, Inc.; 3 reels; presented courtesy of Harold Lloyd Entertainment and Suzanne Lloyd; released on the DVD The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection Vols. 1–3 (2005); available through Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 29:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Hollywood Gothic: The Tangled Web of Dracula from Novel to Stage to Screen by David J. Skal (Norton, 1990); available on Amazon.
  • Little Orphant Annie (1918) Blu-ray/DVD; available on Amazon
Episode #28 – October 4, 2020 featuring Wallace Lupino, Marcel Perez and Charlie Chaplin.
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THE LOST LAUGH (1927) starring Wallace Lupino, with Lucille Hutton, Monty Collins; dir. Stephen Roberts; rel.July 15, 1928 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 1reel; presented in an HD digital scan from a rare 16mm from Undercrank Productions; released on DVD on Undercrank’s Accidentally Preserved Vol. 1 (2013); available on Amazon.

ROBINET IS JEALOUS (Robinet e Geloso – 1914) starring Marcel Perez, with Nilde Baracchi; dir. Marcel Fabre; released in 1914 by Societa Anomina Ambrosio of Turin; 1reel; preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from an original print in the Jean Desmet Collection; presented in an HD digital scan courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on The Marcel Perez Collection Vol.1 (2015); available on Amazon.

THE PAWNSHOP (1916) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Henry Bergman, John Rand, Eric Campbell, Albert Austin, James T. Kelly, Frank J. Coleman; dir & writ. Charles Chaplin; photo. Roland Totheroh & George Zalibra; rel. October 2, 1916 by the Lone Star Film Corporation; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; released on many DVD collections available through Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 28:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Our Hospitality (Kino/Lobster, 2019); available on Amazon
  • The Thanhouser Collection: Volumes 13, 14 & 15 (Thanhouser Company Film Preservation, Inc., 2020); available on DVD on Amazon, and via streaming on the Thanhouser Co. website.
Episode #27 – September 27, 2020 featuring Billy Bevan and Harry Langdon.

BE REASONABLE (1921) starring Billy Bevan, with Mildred June, Eddie Gribbon, Ethel Teare, Bobby Dunn, Al Cooke, Kewpie Morgan, Tiny Sandford, Silas Wilcox, Marvin Loback, Billy Armstrong, Pat Kelly, Clarence Hennecke, Floy Guinn; dir. Roy Del Ruth; super. F. Richard Jones; photo. Fred Jackman & Perry Evans; rel. October 31, 1921 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Associated First National Pictures, Inc.; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All Day Entertainment. 

REMEMBER WHEN? (1925) starring Harry Langdon, with Natalie Kingston, Vernon Dent, Sam Lufkin, Irving Bacon, William McCall, Anna May the elephant; dir. Harry Edwards; st. Arthur Ripley & Clyde Bruckman; photo. William Williams & Leland Davis; Sec. photo. Ernie Crockett; super. J. A. Waldron; rel. April 26, 1925 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; presented courtesy of David Kalat/All Day Entertainment.

Mentioned on episode 27:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons by Leonard Maltin (New American Library, 1980); available on Amazon
  • Mack Sennett’s Fun Factory by Brent Walker (McFarland, 2009); available on Amazon
  • Little Elf: A Celebration of Harry Langdon by Chuck Harter and Michael J. Hayde (BearManor Media, 2012); available on Amazon.
  • American Slapstick 2 – 3-disc DVD set (AllDay Entertainment, 2008) – limited supply available…email Ben with “American Slapstick 2” in the subject line
Episode #26 – September 20, 2020 featuring James Finlayson, John Bunny, and Buster Keaton.

YES, YES NANETTE (1925) starring James Finlayson, with Lyle Tayo, Oliver Hardy, Jack Gavin, Florence Lee, Sue “Bugs” O’Neil, Grant Gorman, Pete the pup; dir. Stan Laurel & Clarence Hennecke; gags. Carl Harbaugh; photo. Frank Young; rel. July 12, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the 2004 DVD set The Stan Laurel Collection (2004); available from Kino Video on Amazon.  

BUNNY’S DILEMMA (1913) starring John Bunny, with Flora Finch, Wally Van, Lillian Walker; dir. Wilfred North; rel. June 19, 1913 by the Vitagraph Co. of America; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Tony Susnick from a 35mm print preserved by the Library of Congress; the film is available on the DVD John Bunny: Film’s First King of Comedy (2017); available on Amazon

THE BOAT (1921) starring Buster Keaton, with Sybil Seely, Eddie Cline; dir. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; photo. Elgin Lessley; rel. November 20, 1921 by the Comique Film Corp; dist. First National Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection: 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 26:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • My Wonderful World of SlapstickbyBuster Keaton & Charles Samuels (Da Capo Press, 1960); available on Amazon.
Episode #25 – September 13, 2020 featuring Will Rogers and Charley Chase.

JUS’ PASSIN’ THROUGH  (1923) starring Will Rogers, with Marie Mosquini, Noah Young, Earl Mohan, Billy Engle, Wallace Howe, Leo Willis, James Finlayson, Richard Daniels, Ford West, Vera White, Helen Gilmore, Jackie Condon; dir. Charles Parrott; rel. October 4, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of David Kalat/ All Day Entertainment in a digital scan from a 35mm print at Library of Congress, issued on the DVD set Becoming Charley Chase; out of print but available on Amazon

INNOCENT HUSBANDS (1925) starring Charley Chase, with Katherine Grant, Lucien Littlefield, Martha Sleeper, James Finlayson, Kay Deslys, Jane Sherman, William Gillespie, Patsy O’Bryne, Jack Gavin; dir. Leo McCarey; super. F. Richard Jones; rel. August 2, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; sourced from the 2005 Kino DVD The Charley Chase Collection, Vol. 2; available on Amazon.  

Mentioned on episode 25:

Steve Massa and Ben Model’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Reginald Denny Collection (Kino, 2020); available on Amazon.
  • Music by Max Steiner: The Epic Life of Hollywood’s Most Influential Composer, by Steven C. Smith  (Oxford University Press, 2020); available on Amazon.

Episode #24 – September 6, 2020 featuring Stan Laurel, Toto and Harold Lloyd. Special guest: Suzanne Lloyd.


SHORT ORDERS (1923) starring Stan Laurel, with George Rowe, Marie Mosquini, Eddie Baker, Mark Jones, Jack Ackroyd, Jack O’Brien; dir. Percy Pembroke; prod. Hal Roach; photo. Robert Doran; rel. September 2, 1923 by Roach Comedies; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the DVD The Stan Laurel Collection 2 (2008); available on Amazon

HIS BUSY DAY (1918) starring Toto, with Bud Jamison, Margaret Joslin, Harry Todd, Clarine Seymour, Charles Stevenson, Dee Lampton; prod. Hal Roach; photo. Robert Doran; rel. April 28, 1918 by the Rolin Film Company; 1 reel; presented in a digital transfer from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress.

FROM HAND TO MOUTH (1919) starring Harold Lloyd, with Mildred Davis, Peggy Cartwright, Snub Pollard, Wallace Howe, Gus Leonard, Noah Young, Mark Jones, Fred Newmeyer, Dee Lampton, Charles Stevenson, William Gillespie, Helen Gilmore; dir. Alfred J. Goulding; prod. Hal Roach; photo; Walter Lundin; rel. December 28, 1919 by the Rolin Film Company; presented courtesy of Harold Lloyd Entertainment and Suzanne Lloyd; released on the DVD The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection Vols. 1-3 (2005); available on Amazon

SPECIAL GUEST: Suzanne Lloyd will join us to talk about FROM HAND TO MOUTH and her grandfather, Harold Lloyd.

Suzanne Lloyd and Ben Model, at the TCM Classic Film Festival in 2018; photo by Karl Mischler

Encore Episode – August 30, 2020 featuring Slim Summerville & Bobby Dunn, Bobby Bumps, and Wanda Wiley.

This is a pre-recorded episode showcasing fan favorites from previous episodes.

THE RIVALS (1923) – starring Slim Summerville & Bobby Dunn, with Esther Ralston; dir. William Watson; super. Zion Myers; photo. Emil Harris; rel. December 31, 1923 by Universal Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital transfer from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; special thanks to Nelson Hughes.

FRESH FISH (1922) – starring Bobby Bumps, with Fido; dir. & writ. Earl Hurd; rel. October 8, 1922 by Earl Hurd Cartoons; dist. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 2 (2018); available on Amazon

A THRILLING ROMANCE (1926) – starring Wanda Wiley, with Earl McCarthy, Joe Bonner, Al Hallett; dir. Jess Robbins; scr. T. Page Wright; rel. July 14, 1926 by Century Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 2 reels; presented in an HD scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; special thanks to Nelson Hughes.

Episode #23 – August 23, 2020 featuring Roscoe Arbuckle and Lloyd Hamilton


THE SIMP (1920) starring Lloyd Hamilton, with Marvel Rea, Otto Fries; dir. Owen Davis & Arthur Roche; rel. October 24, 1920 by Hamilton White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; 2 reels; restored by and presented courtesy of Dave Glass and David Wyatt; released on their DVD set Lloyd Hamilton: Silent Comedian, available on Amazon

THE WAITER’S BALL (1916) starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, with Al St John, Corinne Parquet, Kate Price, Robert Maximillan, Joe Bordeaux, Alice Lake, Horace Haine, Edward Earle, James Bryant; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle & Ferris Hartman; assist. dir. Dave Anderson; rel. June 25, 1916 by Mack Sennett for the Keystone Film Company; dist. Triangle Film Corporation; 2 reels; restoration by and presented courtesy of Dave Glass.

Mentioned on episode 23:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • It (1927) (The Milestone Collection, 2019); available on Amazon
  • American Silent Film by William K. Everson (Oxford University Press, 1978 – updated 1998); available on Amazon.

Links to shows and resources:

  • The Rockefeller Center Flag Project – Aug 1 to 23 (extended for an additional week!) – NYC, at Rockefeller Center – look for Marlene Weisman’s flag “New York Tough” at the corner of W. 49th St and 6th Ave (at Radio City Music Hal).
Episode #22 – August 16, 2020 featuring Snub Pollard, Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran, and Charlie Chaplin. Special guest: Michael J. Hayde.

PUNCH THE CLOCK (1922) starring Snub Pollard, with Eddie Baker, Marie Mosquini, George Rowe, William Gillespie, Mark Jones; dir. William Beaudine; superv. Charles Parrott; released June 4, 1922 by the Rolin Film Co.; dis. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel; presented from a 16mm print; courtesy of Robert Arkus.

WAITING AT THE CHURCH (1919) starring Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran, with Mildred Moore, Grace Marvin; dir. & writ. Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran; rel. August 4, 1919 by the Universal Film Co.; 1 reel; presented in an 2K scan of a 35mm print from the Library of Congress, courtesy of Michael Aus; released on the DVD Early Universal Films of Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran: Vol. 2; available on Ebay

THE CURE (1917) starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, John Rand, Albert Austin, James T. Kelly, Frank J. Coleman, Henry Bergman, William Gillespie; dir. & writ. Charles Chaplin; photo. Roland Totheroh & George C. Zalibra; rel. April 16, 1917 by the Lone Star Film Corporation; dis. Mutual Film Corp.; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; available on many DVD collections, including the 2013 “Chaplin Project” digital restorations, available through Amazon.

SPECIAL GUEST: Film Historian Michael J. Hayde – author of Chaplin’s Vintage Year: The History of the the Mutual Chaplin SpecialsLittle Elf: A celebration of Harry Langdon, and more – will join us to talk about THE CURE and Chaplin’s days making his 12 famous Mutual Comedies.

Mentioned on episode 19:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

Links to shows and resources:

Episode #21 – August 9, 2020 featuring Ethel Teare, Slim Summerville and Buster Keaton.

HER FIRST KISS (1919) starring Ethel Teare and Slim Summerville, with Laura La Varnie, Harry Booker, Bobby Dunn, Marvel Rae, Gus Pixley, Roscoe “Tiny” Ward, Alice Davenport, Harry McCoy, Tom Kennedy, Bynunsky Hymen, Fox Sunshine Beauties, Bartine Burkett; dir. Frank Griffin; rel. August 24, 1919 by Fox Sunshine Comedies; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the National Film Preservation Foundation; available online at the National Film Preservation Foundation’s screening room.

THE GOAT (1921) starring Buster Keaton, with Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts, Kitty Bradbury, Garry O’Dell, Eddie Cline, Mal St. Clair, Jean Havez, Steve Murphy; dir & writ. Buster Keaton & Mal St. Clair; photo. Elgin Lessley; rel. July 14, 1921 by the Comique Film Corporation; dist. Metro Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection: 19171923 (2016); available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 21:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1943); dir. Preston Sturges. (Paramount DVD); available on Amazon.
  • The Silent Clowns by Walter Kerr (Knopf, 1975); available on Amazon and on OpenLibrary
  • The Ernie Kovacs Album: Centennial Edition (2019, Omnivore Recordings) – available on AmazoniTunes et al.

Links to shows and resources:

Episode #20 – August 2, 2020 featuring Cliff Bowes, Jack Duffy and Charley Chase.

PEP UP (1929) – starring Cliff Bowes, with Adrienne Dore, Marshall Ruth, Billy Dale, Emily Gerdes; dir. Francis J. Martin; photo. William Hyer; rel. February 24, 1929 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; one reel; presented from a tinted 16mm Kodascope print; special thanks to Robert Arkus.

LOVE’S YOUNG SCREAM (1928) – starring Jack Duffy, with Anne Cornwall, Jimmie Harrison, William Blaisdell, Glen Cavender, James Donnelly, Billy Engle; dir. William Watson; st. Sig Herzig; rel. May 12, 1928 by Christie Comedies; dist. Paramount Pictures; originally two reels; presented in a digital reconstruction from HD scans of two slightly abridged 16mm prints; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Accidentally Preserved Vol. 3 (2018); available on Amazon

FLUTTERING HEARTS (1927) -starring Charley Chase, with Martha Sleeper, Oliver Hardy, William Burress, Eugene Pallette, Charlie Hall, Dick Gilbert, Kay Delys, May Wallace, Jack Gavin; dir. James Parrott; rel. June 19, 1927 by the Hal Roach Studio; dist. Pathé Exchange; two reels.

Mentioned on episode 20:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Laurel and Hardy: The Definitive Restorations (Kit Parker Films, 2020); available on Amazon
  • Krazy: George Herriman, A Life in Black and White by Michael Tisserand (Harper, 2016; available on Amazon and at other booksellers.
  • Chaplin: His Life and Art by David Robinson (Penguin, 1985): available on Amazon

Links to shows and resources:

  • The Edward Everett Horton DVD Kickstarter – ends on Aug 17th.
  • The Rockefeller Center Flag Project – Aug 1-16 – NYC, at Rockefeller Center – look for Marlene Weisman’s flag “New York Tough” at the corner of W. 49th St and 6th Ave (at Radio City Music Hal).
  • Aug 8 at 7:30 EDT – Buster Keaton in Three Ages (1923) – live-streamed & live-accompanied – presented by the Cleveland Institute of Arts’s Cinematheque, as a 34th anniversary online event – click here to purchase tickets ($10 gen. admission, $7 for CIA members and anyone under 25)
  • Aug 12 at 7:00 EDT – Ernst Lubitsch’s Lady Windermere’s Fan (1925) live-streamed & live-accompanied – presented by the Cinema Arts Centre.
Episode #19 – July 26, 2020 featuring Jane Bernoudy, Mabel Normand and Alice Howell.

THE‌ ‌HOLE‌ ‌IN‌ ‌THE‌ ‌WALL (1919) – starring Jane Bernoudy, with Bobby Vernon, Fred Ardath, Eddie Boland, Babe Nathan, Steve Murphy; dir. unknown; rel. October 10,1919 by the Nestor Film Co.; dist. Universal Pictures; 1 reel; preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from a 35mm original print; presented here courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; film is also available on the archive’s YouTube channel.  

AT CONEY ISLAND (1912) – starring Mabel Normand, with Mack Sennett, Ford Sterling, Gus Pixley, Kenneth Casey, E. Vilip; dir. Mack Sennett; photo. Irvin Willat; rel. October 28, 1912 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; ½ reel; preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from a 35mm original print in the Jean Desmet Collection; presented here courtesy of EYE Filmmuseum; film is also available on the archive’s YouTube channel

A LITTLE HERO (1913) – starring Mabel Normand, Pepper; dir. unknown; rel. May 8, 1913 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; ½ reel; preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from a 35mm print; presented here courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; film is available on the archive’s YouTube channel

DISTILLED‌ ‌LOVE‌ 
(1920) – starring Alice Howell, with Oliver Hardy, Dick Smith, Eunice Murdock, Eva McKenzie, Fay McKenzie, Lee Morris, Fay Holderness, Billy Bevan, Lee Morris, Rae Godfrey, Robert McKenzie, Charles Inslee, Theda Bray (mule); dir. Dick Smith & Vin Moore; rel. 1920 by the Reelcraft Film Corp.; presented in a restoration by the Library of Congress which utilized 2K digital scans of a 35mm print preserved by the Library of Congress, and of a 16mm print from the Henry Zorn collection at the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on The Alice Howell Collection (2019); available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 19:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Weiss-O-Rama (Kit Parker Films, 2007); available on Oldies.com
  • Broncho Billy and the Essanay Film Company by David Kiehn (Farwell Books, 2003); available on Amazon.
  • The Alice Howell Collection (Undercrank Productions, 2019); available on multiple online vendors worldwide including Amazon, the TCM Shop, Deep Discount, Critics’ Choice and more; info and buying links are here.

Links to shows and resources:

  • 2020 Broncho Billy & Friends Silent Film Festival – June 24 to 26, 2020 presented online by the Niles Film Museum – program schedule and info are online here
  • Aug 8 at 7:30 EDT – Buster Keaton in Three Ages (1923) – live-streamed & live-accompanied – presented by the Cleveland Institute of Arts’s Cinematheque, as a 34th anniversary online event – click here to purchase tickets ($10 gen. admission, $7 for CIA members and anyone under 25)
Episode #18 – July 19, 2020 featuring Billy Franey, Marcel Perez, and Harold Lloyd.

THE WATER PLUG (1920) – starring Billy Franey, with Robert McKenzie, Silas Wilcox, George Jeske; dir. George Jeske; photo. George Ritcher; rel. May 1920 by Nat H. Spitzer; dist. Reelcraft Pictures Corporation; 1 reel; presented in an HD digital scan from a 16mm print courtesy of Ben Model; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Accidentally Preserved Vol. 1 (2012); available on Amazon.  

ROBINET’S WHITE SUIT (L’ABITO BIANCO DI ROBINET, 1911) – starring Marcel Perez, with Ernesto Vasar; dir. Marcel Fabre (a.k.a. Marcel Perez); rel. 1911 by Societa Anonima Ambrosio of Turin; 1 reel: preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands) from a 35mm original print in the Jean Desmet Collection; presented in an HD digital scan courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on The Marcel Perez Collection Vol. 1 (2015); available on Amazon.

NUMBER, PLEASE? (1920) – starring Harold Lloyd, with Mildred Davis, Roy Brooks, Noah Young, Sunshine Sammy Morrison, William Gillespie, Charles Stevenson, Wallace Howe, Fred Newmeyer, Mark Jones, Sammy Brooks; dir. Hal Roach & Fred Newmeyer; titles. H.M. Walker; photo. Walter Lundin; prod. Hal Roach; rel. December 26, 1920 by the Rolin Film Co.; dist. Pathe Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Harold Lloyd Entertainment and Suzanne Lloyd; released on the DVD The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection Vols. 1-3 (2005), available on Amazon.  

Mentioned on episode 18:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Chain of Fools: Silent Comedy and Its Legacies from Nickelodeons to YouTube  by Trav S. D. (BearManor Media, 2013); available on Amazon
  • The Kid Brother (1927) The Criterion Collection Blu-Ray and DVD (2019); available on Amazon.
  • The Spider and the Fly illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi, based on the 1829 poem by Mary Howitt (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2002); available on Amazon and at other booksellers.

Links to shows and resources:

Episode #17 – July 12, 2020 featuring Stan Laurel, Ham & Bud, and Charlie Chaplin.

ORANGES AND LEMONS (1923) – starring Stan Laurel, with Katherine Grant, Eddie Baker, George Rowe, Martin Wolfkeil, Owen Evans, Sammy Brooks, Fay Wray; dir. George Jeske; photo. Frank Young; rel. August 12, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchanges; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; released on the DVD The Stan Laurel Collection (2004); available on Amazon.  

THE BATHTUB BANDIT (1917) – starring Ham & Bud (Lloyd Hamilton & Bud Duncan), with Robert N. Bradbury, Juanita Sponsler, John Steppling; dir. Al Santell; rel. October 31, 1917 by the Kalem Film Company; dist. General Film Co.; 1 reel; presented in a 2K scan from a 35mm nitrate negative preserved by the Library of Congress.

THE RINK (1916) – starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, James T. Kelly, Henry Bergman, Frank J. Coleman, Albert Austin, John Rand, Charlotte Mineau, Leota Bryan, Lloyd Bacon; dir & writ. Charles Chaplin; photo. Roland Totheroh & George Zalibra; rel. December 11, 1916 by the Lone Star Film Corporation; dis. Mutual Film Corp.; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; new digital restoration available on the Chaplin’s Mutual Comedies DVD/Blu-ray box set available on Amazon

Mentioned on episode 17:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • W. C. Fields: A Biography by James Curtis(Back Stage Books, 2004); available on Amazon
  • Dave Glass’ Reel Comedies YouTube channel.
  • Live-stream of Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921) on Weds, July 15 at 7pm — free or pay-what-you-wish, but you must register here.
  • Episode 38 of The Silent Film Music Podcast with Ben Model can be streamed on most podcast platforms and on the episode’s show page here.
Episode #16 – July 5, 2020 featuring Paul Parrott, Wanda Wiley and Buster Keaton.

SHINE ‘EM UP (1922) – starring Paul Parrott, with Eddie Baker, Jobyna Ralston, Gaylord Lloyd, William Gillespie, George Rowe, Marvin Loback, Mark Jones, Sammy Brooks; dir. James Davis; rel. November 5, 1922 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the DVD The Charley Chase Collection: Vol. 2 (2005); available on Amazon.  

A THRILLING ROMANCE (1926) – starring Wanda Wiley, with Earl McCarthy, Joe Bonner, Al Hallett; dir. Jess Robbins; scr. T. Page Wright; rel. July 14, 1926 by Century Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 2 reels; presented in an HD scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; special thanks to Nelson Hughes.

THE SCARECROW (1920) – starring Buster Keaton, with Joe Roberts, Sybil Seely, Luke, Joe Keaton, Eddie Cline. dir. & writ. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; rel. December 22, 1920 by Joseph M. Schenck Productions; dist. Metro Pictures; 2 reels; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on the DVD/Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber, Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923 (2016); available on Amazon

Mentioned on episode 16:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Big Boy Shorts (1925–1927); available on Grapevine Video
  • Edgar Kennedy: Master of the Slow Burn by Bill Cassara (BearManor Media, 2005); available on Amazon
  • When Knighthood Was In Flower (1922), starring Marion Davies; available on DVD/Blu-ray from Undercrank Productions.
  • John Bengston’s blog post about filming locations in Buster Keaton’s The Scarecrow (1920) can be read here.
Episode #15 – June 28, 2020 featuring Snub Pollard, Mabel Normand, and Mr. & Mrs. Carter DeHaven.

IT’S A GIFT (1923) – starring Snub Pollard, with William Gillespie, Wallace Howe, Marie Mosquini, Noah Young, Charley Young, Mark Jones; dir. Hugh Fay; rel. October 14, 1923 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchanges; 1 reel; presented courtesy of the Blackhawk Films Collection and Serge Bromberg; sourced from the Slapstick Encyclopedia (2012) DVD box set; available on Amazon.

WON IN A CLOSET (1914 – British release title WON IN A CUPBOARD) – starring Mabel Normand, with Charles Avery, Alice Davenport, Charles Inslee, Rube Miller, Hank Mann, Bill Hauber, Al St John; dir. Mabel Normand; prod. Mack Sennett; rel. January 22, 1914 by the Keystone Film Co.; dist. Mutual Film Corp.; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; available online at the National Film Preservation Foundation’s screening room; also available on the DVD Lost and Found: American Treasures from the New Zealand Film Archive (2013) from Amazon

A WAGGIN’ TALE (1923) – starring Carter DeHaven and Flora Parker DeHaven, with Charles Force, Pal, Max Asher, May Wallace, Jiggs; dir. Carter DeHaven; scen. Monty Brice; prod. P. A.  Powers; rel. February 13, 1923 by Robertson-Cole Pictures Corp.; dist. FBO; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from an archival 16mm print courtesy of Dino Everett and the USC School of Cinematic Arts Hugh M. Hefner Moving Image Archive.

Mentioned on episode 15:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Cameraman (1928). The Criterion Collection Blu-ray (2020); available on Amazon
  • Syd Chaplin: A Biography by Lisa K. Stein (McFarland, 2011); available on Amazon.
Episode #14 – June 21, 2020 featuring Hank Mann, Bobby Bumps and Billy Bletcher. Special guests: Rob Stone and Rachel Del Gaudio.

All of this week’s films were identified at Mostly Lost, the annual film identification workshop held by and at the Library of Congress.

On this episode, Ben and Steve will be joined by Rob Stone and Rachel Del Gaudio of The Library of Congress, who are the co-organizers of the annual Mostly Lost film identification workshop. Mostly Lost 9 would have been held June 17-20 this year, and is presented by and held at the Library of Congress Packard Preservation Campus in Culpeper VA.

THE NICKEL SNATCHER (1920) – starring Hank Mann, with Madge Kirby, Vernon Dent, James T. Kelly, Bert Gillespie; dir. Unknown; rel. 1920 by Morris Schlank for the Hank Mann Comedy Co.; dist. Arrow Film Corporation; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 1 (2016); available on Amazon.

AND THE VILLAIN STILL PURSUED HER; OR, THE AUTHOR’S DREAM (1906) – starring Paul Panzer; dir. J. Stuart Blackton; rel. December 1, 1906 by the Vitagraph Company of America; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 2 (2018); available on Amazon

FRESH FISH (1922) – starring Bobby Bumps, with Fido; dir. & writ. Earl Hurd; rel. October 8, 1922 by Earl Hurd Cartoons; dist. Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from an archival 16mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 2 (2018); available on Amazon

THE NOODLE NUT (1922) – starring Billy Bletcher, with Madge Kirby, William Irving, Robert McKenzie, Billy Engel; dir. Unknown; rel. 1922 by C.L. Chester Productions; 2 reels; presented in a 2K digital scan from an archival 16mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 2 (2018); available on Amazon

Mentioned on episode 14:

Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendation:

  • Cartoon Roots: Bobby Bumps and Fido (Cartoons on Film, 2019); available on Amazon.
Episode #13 – June 14, 2020 featuring Monty Banks, Jimmie Adams and Charley Chase.

IN AND OUT (1921) – starring Monty Banks, with Juanita Hansen, William Blaisdell, Cliff Bowes, Pal; dir. unknown; rel. May 1921 by Warner Brothers; dist. Federated Film Exchanges; originally 2 reels; presented in a presented in a digital HD scan from a 35mm print, courtesy of Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost, Vol. 1; available on Amazon.

GRIEF (1921) – starring Jimmie Adams with Charles Reisner, Albert Austin, Frankie Lee, Dinky Dean Reisner, Max Asher, Ford West, Cliff Bowes; dir. Charles Reisner; scr. Albert Austin; rel. May 1921 by Jack White Comedies; dist. Educational Pictures; originally 2 reels; presented in a digital HD scan from a 35mm print, courtesy of Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Found at Mostly Lost Vol. 1; available on Amazon.

MIGHTY LIKE A MOOSE (1926) – starring Charley Chase, with Vivien Oakland, Anne Howe, Charles Clary, Gale Henry, Malcolm Denny, Rolfe Sedan, Charlie Hall, Harry Bowen, Buddy; dir. Leo McCarey; titles. H.M. Walker; photo. Len Powers; rel. July 18, 1926 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the 2004 DVD release Slapstick SymposiumCharley Chase Vol. 1; available on Amazon. 

Mentioned on episode 13:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The First King of Hollywood: The Life of Douglas Fairbanks by Tracey Goessel. (Chicago Review Press, 2016); available on Amazon
  • Chaplin at Keystone (Flicker Alley, 2010); available on Amazon.
  • Silent Movie by Avi. (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003); available on Amazon.
Episode #12 – June 7, 2020 featuring Charley Chase, Sarah Duhamel, Sally Eilers and Carole Lombard. 

ALL WET (1924) – starring Charley Chase, with Helen Gilmore, William Gillespie, Jack Gavin, Martin “Tonnage” Wolfkeil, Martha Sleeper, Dick Gilbert; dir. Leo McCarey; photo. Len Powers; rel. November 12, 1924 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; 1 reel; this edition is a special preservation by Lobster Films for the 2004 DVD release Slapstick SymposiumCharley Chase Vol. 1; presented here courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; available on Amazon

LE SINGE DE PÉTRONILLE (Pétronille and her Monkey, 1913) – starring Sarah Duhamel; dir. Romeo Bosetti & George Remond; rel. 1913 by Éclair ; 1 reel; this edition preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands), from a 35mm original print in the Jean Desmet Collection; presented here courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; film is also viewable on the archive’s YouTube channel

MATCHMAKING MAMMA (1929) – starring Carole Lombard, with Sally Eilers, Johnny Burke, Daphne Pollard, Matty Kemp, Irving Bacon, Madalynne Field, The Sennett Girls; dir. Harry Edwards; st. Carl Harbaugh & Jefferson Moffit; titles. John A. Waldron; photo. Ray Rennahan & Fred Dawson; rel. March 31, 1929 by Mack Sennett Comedies; dist. Pathé Exchange; presented from out-of-print ca. 1990s Lumivision home-video release produced by Tom Toth, which sourced a vintage 16mm print.

Mentioned on episode 12:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Screwball! The Cartoonists Who Made The Funnies Funny by Paul C. Tumey. (The Library of American Comics, 2019); available on Amazon
  • Early Universal Films of Eddie Lyons & Lee Moran, Vols. 1 & 2 (prod for DVD by Rare Silent Films); available on ebay.
  • Princess April Morning Glory by Letitia Fairbanks (originally published 1941; Sandramantos Publishing, 2013); available on at the Hollywood Heritage Museum Store and Amazon.
Episode #11 – May 31, 2020 featuring Slim Summerville & Bobby Dunn, Harry Watson Jr., and Harold Lloyd. 

THE RIVALS (1923) – starring Slim Summerville & Bobby Dunn, with Esther Ralston; dir. William Watson; super. Zion Myers; photo. Emil Harris; rel. December 31, 1923 by Universal Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print courtesy of the Library of Congress.

JUST IMAGINATION (1916) – starring Harry Watson Jr., with Dan Crimmins, H.H. McCollum, Della Connor, Maxfield Moree; dir. Louis Myll; rel. April 19, 1916 by George Kleine; 1 reel; presented in an HD digital scan from a 16mm preservation master courtesy of the Library of Congress; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on The Mishaps of Musty Suffer Vol. 1 (2014); available on Amazon

GET OUT AND GET UNDER – starring Harold Lloyd, with Mildred Davis, “Sunshine Sammy” Morrison, Fred McPherson, Frank Terry, Molly Thompson, Wallace Howe, Charles Stevenson, Noah Young; dir. Hal Roach; titles. H.M. Walker; photo. Walter Lundin; rel. September 12, 1920 by the Rolin Film Co.; dist: Pathé Exchange; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Harold Lloyd Entertainment and Suzanne Lloyd; sourced from the DVD set The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection Vols. 1-3 (2005); available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 11:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Larry Semon: Daredevil Comedian of the Silent Screen by Claudia Sassen (McFarland, 2015); available on Amazon
  • Pierre Etaix (Criterion Collection, 2013); available on Amazon.
  • Mack Made Movies, by Don Brown. (Roaring Book Press, 2003). Available on Amazon.
Episode #10 – May 24, 2020 featuring Harold Lloyd, Little Chrysia and Charley Bowers.

ASK FATHER (1919) – starring Harold Lloyd, with Bebe Daniels, Snub Pollard, Wallace Howe, Marie Mosquini, Noah Young, Bud Jamison, Sammy Brooks, James Parrott, William Gillespie, Margaret Joslin, Slim Fitzgerald, Dee Lampton; dir. Hal Roach; titles. H.M. Walker; photo. Walter Lundin; rel. February 9, 1919 by the Rolin Film Co.; dist. Pathé Exchage; 1 reel; presented courtesy of Harold Lloyd Entertainment and Suzanne Lloyd; released on the DVD The Harold Lloyd Comedy Collection Vols. 1-3 (2005), available on Amazon.   

CUNÉGONDE FEMME-CRAMPON (1912, CUNEGONDE DOESN’T WANT HER HUSBAND TO GO OUT) – starring Little Chrysia; rel. 1912 by Lux Compagnie Cinematographique de France; 1 reel; this edition preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands), from a 35mm original print in the Jean Desmet Collection; presented here courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; film is also viewable on the archive’s YouTube channel

EGGED ON (1926) – starring Charley Bowers, with Winifred Leighton, Fred Conklin, Dorothy Lewis; dir. Charles R. Bowers & H. L. Muller; scen. Ted Sears; rel. September 6, 1926 by R-C Pictures; dist: FBO; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, and sourced from the 2004 DVD set Charley Bowers: The Rediscovery of an American Comic GeniusThe film is available in a new digital restoration on the Blu-ray set The Charley Bowers Collection, available from Flicker Alley on Amazon
NOTE: this film is being shown with special limited-time permission, and will only be included in the episode through Sunday May 31, and will be removed from the archived show on June 1, 2020.

Mentioned on episode 10:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Monty Banks: A Filmography 1920-1924. Edited and published by Robert S. Birchard, with Robert Farr, Sam Gill, Robert James Kiss, Karl Thiede and Steve Massa. (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 2015). Available on Amazon
  • The Gold Rush (1925). The Criterion Collection Blu-ray and DVD (2012). Available on Amazon
Episode #09 – May 17, 2020 featuring Glenn Tryon, Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Drew and Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.

WAGES OF TIN (1925) – starring Glenn Tryon, with Blanche Mehaffey, Noah Young, George Rowe, Billy Engle, Martin “Tonnage” Wolfkeil, James T. Kelly, Helen Gilmore, Jules Mendel; dir. Roy Clements; rel. January 4, 1925 by Hal Roach Comedies; dist: Pathé Exchange; 1 reel (originally 2); presented in an HD digital scan from a rare 9.5mm print courtesy of the USC Hugh M. Hefner Moving Image Archive and Dino Everett; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Accidentally Preserved Vol. 4; available on Amazon.

WANTED, A NURSE (1915) – starring Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Drew, with Courtlandt Van Dusen; dir. Sidney Drew; rel. January 22, 1915 by the Vitagraph Company; 1 reel; presented in an HD digital scan from a rare 16mm print courtesy of Robert Farr; released on DVD by Undercrank Productions on Accidentally Preserved Vol. 3; available on Amazon.

THE BUTCHER BOY (1917) – starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle, with Josephine Stevens, Buster Keaton, Al St. John, Agnes Neilson, Arthur Earle, Luke; dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; rel. April 23, 1917 by the Comique Film Corp.; dist: Paramount; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films; released on the DVD/Blu-ray Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917–1923; available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 9:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Rediscovering Roscoe: The Films of “Fatty” Arbuckle by Steve Massa (BearManor Media, 2019); available on Amazon
  • How Did Lubitsch Do It? by Joseph McBride (Columbia University Press, 2018); available on Amazon
  • Lloyd Hamilton – Silent Comedian (D&D: Glass & Wyatt, 2017); available on Amazon
  • Movies Are Magic, by Jennifer Churchill (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 2008); available on Amazon.
  • The Silent Film Music Podcast with Ben Model – episode 34.
Episode #08 – May 10, 2020 featuring Paul Parrott, Marcel Perez and Charlie Chaplin.

POST NO BILLS (1923) – starring Paul Parrott, with Marie Mosquini, Noah Young, George Rowe, Ford West, Helen Gilmore, Eddie Baker, Jack Ackroyd, Sammy Brooks, Charley Young, Bobby Ray; dir. Ralph Cedar; rel. August 5, 1923 by Hal Roach; 1 reel; presented courtesy of All Day Entertainment; released by All Day on the DVD American Slapstick 2; available on Amazon.

A BUSY NIGHT (1916) – starring Marcel Perez, with Tom Murray, Billy Slade; dir. Marcel Perez; rel. June 26, 1916 by the Eagle Film Co.; dis. Unity Film Sales; 1 reel; presented in an HD digital scan from a 16mm print preserved by the Library of Congress; released on video by Undercrank Productions on The Marcel Perez Collection; available on Amazon.

THE ADVENTURER (1917) – starring Charlie Chaplin, with Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Henry Bergman, Janet Miller Sully, Frank J. Coleman, Torachi Kono, Albert Austin, Loyal Underwood, May White, John Rand; dir. Charles Chaplin; rel. October 22, 1917 by the Mutual Film Corporation; 2 reels; presented courtesy of Serge Bromberg and the Blackhawk Films Collection; the edition presented on our show is sourced from the “90th Anniversary” DVD set (Image, 2006); currently available in new digital restoration on the Chaplin Mutual Comedies Blu-ray/DVD set from Flicker Alley, available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 8:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang by Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann. (Three Rivers Press, 1992); available on Amazon.
  • The Keystone Kid: Tales of Early Hollywood by Coy Watson Jr. (Santa Monica Press, 2001); available on Amazon.
  • The Champion: A Story of America’s First Film Town (Milestone Film & Video, 2017); available on Amazon.
Episode #07 – May 3, 2020 featuring Billie Ritchie, Bobby Vernon and Buster Keaton.

FATHER WAS A LOAFER (1915) – starring Billie Ritchie, with Gertrude Selby, Alice Howell, Louise Orth, Hank Mann, Eva Nelson, Harry Russell; dir. Henry Lehrman; rel. February 10, 1915 by L-Ko Comedies; dist. Universal Pictures; 1 reel; presented from a 2K digital scan from a 35mm print at the Library of Congress; released on the DVD The Alice Howell Collection by Undercrank Productions, available on Amazon.

WHY WILD MEN GO WILD (1919) – starring Bobby Vernon, with Vera Steadman, Jimmie Harrison, George B. French, Gus Leonard; prod. Al Christie; dir. William Beaudine; scen. W. Scott Darling; rel. 1919 by the Christie Film Company; 1 reel; presented from an HD digital scan of the only surviving 16mm print, courtesy of Ben Model/Undercrank Prods.; released on the DVD Accidentally Preserved Vol. 2, available on Amazon.

THE BALLOONATIC (1923) – starring Buster Keaton, with Phyllis Haver, Babe London, Joseph Mitchell, Eddie Cline, Natalie Talmadge, John Brown (bear); prod. Joseph M. Schenck; dir. Buster Keaton & Eddie Cline; rel. January 22, 1923 by Buster Keaton Prods.; dist: First National; 2 reels; this edition, sourced from the Art of Buster Keaton DVD series, is presented courtesy of Kino Lorber and the Blackhawk Films Collection; the film is currently available in a new restoration by Lobster Films on DVD/Blu-ray from Kino Lorber, available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 7:

Ben Model & Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton by John Bengtson (Santa Monica Press, 1999); available on Amazon.
  • Silent Traces: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Charlie Chaplin by John Bengtson (Santa Monica Press, 2006); available on Amazon.
  • Silent Visions: Discovering Early Hollywood and New York Through the Films of Harold Lloyd by John Bengtson (Santa Monica Press, 2011); available on Amazon.
  • John Bengtson posted about some of the Alice Howell comedy shorts on his Silent Locations blog
  • Exit Smiling (1926) – starring Beatrice Lillie; available on Amazon.
Episode #06 – April 26, 2020 featuring Monty Collins, Florence Turner and Charley Chase.

IT’S ME (1918) – starring Monty Collins, with Lucille Hutton, Phil Dunham; dir. Harry Sweet; rel. December 4, 1927 by Educational Pictures; 1 reel; presented in a video transfer from the only surviving copy, a 16mm Kodascope print courtesy of Kim Deitch; unavailable on DVD.

SHE CRIED (1912) – starring Florence Turner, with Harry T. Morey, Charles Eldridge; scen. Florence Turner, dir. Albert W. Hale; rel. October 3, 1912 Vitagraph Company of America; 1 reel. This edition preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands), from a 35mm original print in the Jean Desmet Collection. Presented here courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; film is also viewable on the archive’s YouTube channel.

HIS WOODEN WEDDING (1925) – starring Charley Chase; with Katherine Grant, Gale Henry, Fred DeSylva; dir. Leo McCarey; prod. by Hal Roach; rel. December 20, 1925 by Pathé; 2 reels. Presented here courtesy of Lobster Films and The Blackhawk Films Collection; released on DVD by Kino Lorber, available on Amazon.

Mentioned on episode 6:

Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

  • Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, by Randy Skretvedt (Bonaventure Press, 2019); available on Amazon.
  • Little Elf: A Celebration of Harry Langdon by Michael J. Hayde and Chuck Harter (BearManor Media, 2010); available from BearManor Media and on Amazon.
  • Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection 1917-1923, restored and produced by Lobster Films and released on Blu-ray/DVD by Kino Lorber; available on Amazon.
Original Dutch poster for SHE CRIED (1912), courtesy of Eye Filmmuseum Desmet Collection
Episode #05 – April 19, 2020 featuring Harold Lloyd, Alice Howell and Marcel Perez.
Marcel Perez Alice Howell Harold Lloyd

HEY THERE (1918) – starring Harold Lloyd, with Bebe Daniels, Harry “Snub” Pollard; dir. Alfred Goulding; rel. April 28, 1918 by Rolin Films; 1 reel; presented here courtesy of AllDay Entertainment from their DVD set American Slapstick 2.

UNDER A SPELL (1925) – starring Alice Howell and Neely Edwards, with Bert Roach; dir. Richard Smith; rel. January 5, 1925 by Universal; 1 reel. Film element preserved by the Library of Congress; this edition presented here courtesy of Undercrank Productions, from the 2-disc DVD set The Alice Howell Collection.

SWEET DADDY (1921) – starring Marcel Perez; with Dorothy Earle, Wilna Hervey; dir. Marcel Perez; rel. 1921 by Schiller Productions. Preserved in 35mm by the Library of Congress; this edition presented courtesy of Undercrank Productions, from their DVD release The Marcel Perez Collection: Volume 1.

Mentioned on episode 5:

Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

Books by Kevin Brownlow, available on Amazon

  • The Parade’s Gone By (Knopf, 1968)
  • The War, The West and the Wilderness (Knopf, 1969)
  • Hollywood: The Pioneers (Knopf, 1979)
  • Behind the Mask of Innocence (Knopf, 1990)
  • David Lean (Cohen, 1996)
  • The Search for Charlie Chaplin (Bologna, 2005)

Documentaries by Kevin Brownlown, available on Amazon

  • Hollywood (1980) – streaming on Prime only
  • Unknown Chaplin (1983)
  • D.W. Griffith: Father of Film (1993)
  • The Tramp and the Dictator (2002)
  • Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (1987) – out of print (try eBay)
  • Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius (1991) – out of print (try eBay)
  • Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood (1995) – out of print (try eBay)
  • Cecil B. DeMille: An American Epic – out of print (try eBay)
Episode #04 – April 12, 2020 featuring Arthur Lake, John Bunny and Charley Chase.
Charley Chase in DOG SHY
Charley Chase and “Buddy” shake and let bygones be bygones in the closing shot from DOG SHY (1926), directed by Leo McCarey

WHOSE FATHER? (1929) – starring Arthur Lake Cliff Bowes; with Gertrude Messenger, Glen Cavender; dir. Edward I. Luddy; rel. 1929 by Universal; 1 reel. Survival status: 16mm print in the collection of Shane Fleming; presented here with permission. Film is available on the DVD Accidentally Preserved: Volume 3 from Undercrank Productions.

TANGLED TANGOISTS (1914) – starring John Bunny and Flora Finch; dir. George D. Baker; rel. April 24, 1914 by the Vitagraph Company of America; 1 reel. This edition preserved by the EYE Filmmuseum (Netherlands), from a 35mm original print in the Jean Desmet Collection. Presented here courtesy of the EYE Filmmuseum; film is also viewable (mute and without subtitles) on the archive’s YouTube channel.

DOG SHY (1926) – starring Charley Chase; with Mildred June, Stuart Holmes, Josephine Crowell, William Orlamond and “Buddy”; dir. Leo McCarey; prod. by Hal Roach; rel. April 4, 1926 by Pathé. Presented here courtesy of Milestone Films from their DVD set Cut to the Chase.

Mentioned on episode 4:

Steve Massa’s “Cabin Fever” recommendations:

  • John Bunny: Film’s First King of Comedy – DVD produced and released by Tony Susnick; contains Tony’s documentary about John Bunny, as well as 4 John Bunny Vitagraph comedies in new scans from 35mm preservations by the Library of Congress, with piano scores by Ben Model – available on Amazon
  • The Gag Man: Clyde Bruckman and the Birth of Film Comedy, by Matthew Dessem (Critical Press, 2015) – available on Amazon for Kindle
  • Chaplin’s Vintage Year: The History of the Mutual Chaplin Specials, by Michael Hayde (BearManor Media, 2016) – available on Amazon in multiple formats
Episode #03 – April 5, 2020 featuring Cliff Bowes, Harry Watson Jr. (“Musty Suffer”) and Buster Keaton.
Cliff Bowes in CHEER UP (1924)

CHEER UP (1924) – starring Cliff Bowes; with Virginia Vance, Eddie Boland, Frank “Fatty” Alexander, Tommy Hicks; dir. Stephen Roberts; rel. September 28, 1924 by Educational Pictures; 1 reel. Survival status: 16mm owned by Ben Model, donated to Library of Congress, no other known copies. Available on DVD on Accidentally Preserved: Volume 1 from Undercrank Productions.

OUTS AND INS (1916) – from the series THE MISHAPS OF MUSTY SUFFER, starring Harry Watson, Jr.; with Dan Crimmins, Della Connor, Maxfield Moree; dir. Louis Myll; rel. August 2, 1916 by the Geo. Kleine Company; 1 reel. Preserved by the Library of Congress. Available on DVD on The Mishaps of Musty Suffer from Undercrank Productions.

ONE WEEK (1920) – starring “Buster” Keaton; with Sybil Seeley, Joe Roberts; dir. Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline; rel. August 29, 1920 by Metro Pictures Corp. Presented here, with permission, from the Art of Buster Keaton DVD series released by Kino In 2001. Available on DVD/Blu-ray released 2015 by Kino Lorber in new restorations by Lobster Films.

Mentioned on the episode 3:

Steve Massa’s “cabin fever” recommendations:

Information about the Automat, seen in Outs and Ins:

  • click here to read “Meet Me at the Automat” on the Smithsonian Magazine website
  • click here to read article on Atlas Obscura, “After Automats Died in New York, They Flourished in the Netherlands”
  • the podcast 99% Invisible did this story about Horn & Hardart automats
  • visit the official website for FEBO, the automat chain in the Netherlands
Episode #02 – March 29, 2020 featuring Max & Dave Fleischer, Snub Pollard, Harry Sweet and Joe Rock.
Harry Sweet The Two Johns
One of the films on tap for episode #2, a cartoon-bizarre short starring Harry Sweet.

Steve Massa and Ben Model had a swell line-up for this week’s stream, a trio of one-reel comedies that are as funny and clever as they are rare. All three have been released on DVD by Ben’s Undercrank Productions label; two are sourced from archival 35mm prints preserved by the Library of Congress, and one is a rare original 16mm Kodascope from the 1920s. What was shown in episode #02 was:

  • The Fade Away (1925) – Inkwell Studios, Max & Dave Fleischer
  • Fifteen Minutes (1921 – Hal Roach studios, starring Snub Pollard, directed by Charles Parrott; available on the Undercrank Productions DVD Found at Mostly Lost
  • The Two Johns (1923) – Fox Sunshine Comedy, starring Harry Sweet; reel two only
  • The Whirlwind (1922) – Federated comedy, starring Joe Rock; available on the Undercrank Productions DVD Accidentally Preserved: Volume 3.

Show notes and links:

  • Brent Walker’s book Mack Sennett’s Fun Factory is available on Amazon.
  • Tom Stathes’ DVDs of silent era animation, and other info, are available on his website, and his Cartoon Roots Blu-ray/DVD’s are also on Amazon.
  • Steve Massa’s book Lame Brains and Lunatics: The Good, The Bad and the Forgotten of Silent Comedy is available on Amazon.
  • Paul E. Gierucki’s DVD box set The Forgotten Films of Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle is slightly out of print but copies are still available on Amazon.
  • Walter Kerr’s landmark silent comedy book The Silent Clowns (Knopf, 1975) is out of print but copies are available on ebay. Chapters 1-5 discuss the basic aesthetic of silent film, in an accessible and relatable way.
  • Undercrank Productions has released 23 DVDs of rare silent comedy films – browse and order here
  • Ben was interviewed about The Silent Comedy Watch Party on the Nitrateville Radio podcast, available on the usual platforms, but here’s the link for Stitcher.
  • Read “Your Quarantine Blues Antidote: Steve Massa and Ben Model’s Silent Comedy Watch Party” on the website for DOMITOR, the international society for the study of early cinema, here.
  • Read “How to Use Silent Films to Lift Spirits and Find Solace” on the website for ALL-ARTS, the NY-based public television arts & culture hub (cable/online) here.
Episode #01 – March 22, 2020 featuring Al. St. John, Bobby Ray and Hank Mann.
Alice Howell
“Shot in the Excitement” (1914) is one of the films shown in episode #01; it’s a Keystone starring Alice Howell and Al St. John
  • SHOT IN THE EXCITEMENT (1914) – Keystone comedy starring Al St. John, Alice Howell and Rube Miller – available on DVD here
  • MEET FATHER (1924) – Mirthquake comedy with Bobby Ray, Glen Cavender, Josephine, Pete – available on DVD here
  • AN EYE FOR FIGURES (1920) – Arrow comedy starring Hank Mann – unavailable on DVD

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