Richard Finegan wrote:Brent Walker wrote:
I don't use the F-word in my book, though I do use the N-word once, in printing the un-pc working title of one of the blackface Keystones.
Brent
I think regarding Roscoe Arbuckle, the "F-word" is "Fatty" (as opposed to calling him Roscoe). That is probably what David means.
I always refer to Mr. Arbuckle as Roscoe, never "Fatty" and correct people when they don't seem to get the difference.
The key word being "the difference." As a person he was Roscoe Arbuckle, and when he was a director he was known as Roscoe Arbuckle. But as a comedian--the reason for which he is most remembered--he was known as Fatty Arbuckle, and it would be historically inaccurate and irresponsible not to refer to him as such--just as it would be inaccurate to write a book about some other famous comedians and only refer to them as Joseph Keaton, Julius Marx, Harry Fraser, etc. In my filmography, I always refer to the director as Roscoe Arbuckle, and the actor as Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle (even though often the "Roscoe" was not used). My goal was to accurately document history, warts and all, not rewrite history.
Roscoe Arbuckle was understandably not very fond of becoming famous under that professional name, nor--I'm sure--were Frank "Fatty" Alexander, Hilliard" Fat" Karr, and others, nor was Willie Best likely fond of being billed as "Sleep N Eat." But the fact is, he was billed under the name Fatty Arbuckle, and known to the public (belovedly) as Fatty Arbuckle. It would be nice to be able to go back in time and rewrite history so that films could be retitled ROSCOE'S CHANCE ACQUAINTANCE, MABEL AND ROSCOE'S MARRIED LIFE, ROSCOE JOINS THE FORCE, etc., but alas we can't, and so we've got to report accurately, with all due respect to anyone who might be offended. (For any young person out there choosing to live a life of political correctness, silent comedy is definitely not the path to choose.)
I'm typing this while looking up at some framed sheet music on my wall:
'Sipping Cider Thru' a Straw (Thipping Thider Thru' a Thtraw) Dedicated to "Fatty" Arbuckle The Famous Paramount Comedian'
Subtitled 'A Comedy "Lisping" Song'
2010 updated version:
'Sipping Cider Thru' a Straw Dedicated to Roscoe Arbuckle The Famous Paramount Comedian'
Subtitled 'A Comedy "Speaking Normal" Song'
Brent