SilentComedyMafia.com

After perusing the broad spectrum of rare and unusual films on this channel I realized this is the account of our friends Jenny Paxon and Larry Smith, sharing a wealth of fascinating movies, clips, and equally interesting home movies. Among many gems are several other rare Mack Sennett titles, inclu...

Thank you for sharing these, Ian! THE CAT'S MEOW and FLICKERING YOUTH are indeed the rarest of the Harry Langdon Mack Sennett films. Although these are Sennett-Pathés, these prints were released by MGM in Brazil and are in the Portuguese language (not Spanish as indicated on YouTube). Both films see...

DaveGlass wrote:Wonderful discovery.
Thanks Ed!

Dave

You’re very welcome, Dave - by luck I just happened to stumble upon it. The Cinematheque usually is more inclined to post avant garde titles over two-reel comedies, but perhaps they’re turning over a new leaf!

Incomplete but still enjoyable Warner's silent, Louise and Clyde are both terrific as usual. John Miljan and Myrna Loy in support as the villain and his moll. Scenes filmed on the Roach lot Miramar ocean liner gangplank and deck sets. Vitaphone discs are missing from this print. https://youtu.be/98O...

Snub Pollard regularly wrote home to the folks in Australia. Much of this correspondence has been preserved and gives insight into his years as an extra. Many thanks to my friend Brian Anthony for sharing this: https://forgottenaustralianactresses.com/2022/12/24/snub-pollard-the-jobbing-extra-writes...

The complete two-reel version of Sennett’s second release for Paramount. As always, Brent Walker’s essential book MACK SENNETT'S FUN FACTORY includes the very extensive production credits. https://www.cinematheque.fr/henri/film/147300-roping-her-romeo-hampton-del-ruth-fred-fishback-1917/ Translation...

Many thanks, Uli! Great to find Erich von Stroheim here as well. His monologue put my limited understanding of German to the test, but I surprised myself because I understood nearly all of it. So before Hollywood, Erich was, among many other careers, a flypaper salesman in a city without any flies! ...

Thanks Richard - I enjoyed this one even more than DOIN’ THE RACOON. These are like Soundies of the late 1920s. The troubadour reminded me of a slightly svelte Paul Porcasi, well, within reason. The girl was cute and hey, she could even dance a bit. Frank Crumit's songs are always a lot of fun.

Richard, I’m really enjoying these massive ensemble comedies that Mack Sennett began producing in earnest once he switched from Triangle Keystone to Paramount. Here’s hoping that many more of these continue to be found and put back in circulation. How dare Walter Kerr claim there were no funny women...

Billy Franey gets short shrift from a lot of comedy fans, but I've enjoyed the few films of his that I've seen. Gale Henry is always a delight. Agreed, William! There’s nothing wrong with Billy Franey, he’s a very funny little guy. It’s nice how he became a stock company member of the RKO short sub...