Search found 2909 matches

by Richard M Roberts
Tue Apr 02, 2024 6:41 pm
Forum: THE PASSING PARADE
Topic: Joe Flaherty RIP
Replies: 0
Views: 2543

Joe Flaherty RIP

Damn, we lost one of the real funny people again today. I'm glad to hear other SCTV cast members saying that Joe was the heart and soul of SCTV. Behind the scenes, he was one of the most prolific writers and apparently was also the one who really shaped how the various episodes flowed. And of course...
by Richard M Roberts
Sun Mar 31, 2024 1:12 am
Forum: SOUND COMEDY MAIN
Topic: WESTERN KNIGHTS (1930) Al St. John, Addie McPhail
Replies: 0
Views: 1860

WESTERN KNIGHTS (1930) Al St. John, Addie McPhail

Early Educational western comedy released April 20, 1930, directed by Stephen Roberts and featuring Al St. John, Addie McPhail, Ed Brady, Eddie Lambert, Al Thompson, and several silent western cowboys: Bill Patton, Art MIx and Bob Reeves. Shot at the old Mixville western town: https://www.youtube.co...
by Richard M Roberts
Fri Mar 29, 2024 9:18 pm
Forum: THE PASSING PARADE
Topic: Ned Comstock RIP
Replies: 1
Views: 1102

Ned Comstock RIP

Ned Comstock passed away today. To those who don't know the name (and really, there shouldn't be anyone reading this site who doesn't, but I'm sure there are), he was one of the main librarians of the USC Cinema/TV Special Collections, the one who had been there for years and knew everything that th...
by Richard M Roberts
Fri Mar 29, 2024 2:36 am
Forum: SOUND MOVIE MAIN
Topic: Twelfth Night Directed by 17-Year-Old Orson Welles?
Replies: 1
Views: 3526

Re: Twelfth Night Directed by 17-Year-Old Orson Welles?

This is footage from Orson Welles production of TWELFTH NIGHT done at the Todd School in 1933. Welles had just returned from acting at the Gate Theater and recorded the opening narration at the time (he was only 17 years old). Kodachrome indeed did not come along until 1935, but this was shot in Kod...
by Richard M Roberts
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:29 am
Forum: SILENT COMEDY MAIN
Topic: A ROMAN SCANDAL (1919) Colleen Moore, Earl Rodney
Replies: 0
Views: 11594

A ROMAN SCANDAL (1919) Colleen Moore, Earl Rodney

One of the two short comedies Colleen Moore made for Al Christie before she starred in his feature SO LONG LETTY (1920). Al Christie directed and Colleen appears with Earl Rodney, Eddie Barry, Billy Bletcher, Helen Darling, Jack Henderson, Gino Corrado and Ward Caufield. It was released by the Chris...
by Richard M Roberts
Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:05 pm
Forum: SILENT COMEDY MAIN
Topic: Chaplin In The Eye of the Beholder
Replies: 7
Views: 8071

Re: Chaplin In The Eye of the Beholder

Or George Carlin:

"Look how stupid the average man is, and realize half of them are stupider than that!"

My favorite Fred Allen line (referring to radio and television)was:

"They call it a medium because nothing is well done in it."


RICHARD M ROBERTS
by Richard M Roberts
Sun Mar 24, 2024 4:24 pm
Forum: SILENT COMEDY MAIN
Topic: Chaplin In The Eye of the Beholder
Replies: 7
Views: 8071

Re: Chaplin In The Eye of the Beholder

I have no need for artificial intelligence, what I keep hoping for is Genuine Intelligence in Humanity, but I keep getting disappointed.

These days, people's cell phones are smarter than they are.

RICHARD M ROBERTS
by Richard M Roberts
Sat Mar 23, 2024 3:17 am
Forum: SILENT COMEDY MAIN
Topic: Chaplin In The Eye of the Beholder
Replies: 7
Views: 8071

Re: Chaplin In The Eye of the Beholder

Yep, bad AI is rampant.

I'm waiting to see the Charlie Chaplin bio that has a picture of Billy West on the cover.

RICHARD M ROBERTS
by Richard M Roberts
Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:06 pm
Forum: SOUND COMEDY MAIN
Topic: THE SLEEPING PORCH (1929) Raymond Griffith
Replies: 0
Views: 10443

THE SLEEPING PORCH (1929) Raymond Griffith

Here's one of Raymond Griffith's two talkie comedies he made for Al Christie in 1929. Ray's damaged vocal chords in obvious evidence here as he plays a man with a cold. The 16mm prints that got out (of which this one has a poor transfer with Ralph Celentanos initials plastered annoyingly over the up...
by Richard M Roberts
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:30 pm
Forum: SOUND COMEDY MAIN
Topic: THE BALIFFS (1932) Flanagan and Allen
Replies: 0
Views: 6987

THE BALIFFS (1932) Flanagan and Allen

Fred Karno wrote the script for this short, which was Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen's film debut. Watch for Fred walking in front of them in the opening scene:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0kcv22EkrU

"Meredith, we're in!"

RICHARD M ROBERTS