SilentComedyMafia.com

Purchased this still from a dealer at Cinecon last week. It's a terrific image of Ben and Heinie from a Mack Sennet comedy. My guess is early 1920's, but was wondering if anyone can identify where it's from since there's no production code on it. Hopefully one of the comdey experts out there might know.

Posted the pic here:

http://i44.tinypic.com/33lyuq9.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/33lyuq9.jpg

Click on the link above.

Pasquale Ventura wrote:Well that didn't work. How do you post images?

Hmm, looks like you posted it correctl, not sure why it didn't work.

Describe the still. what is the background, what sort of costumes are they wearing, etc.


RICHARD M ROBERTS

That's the tricky bit, they are wearing their usual costumes, derby hat, vests and bow tow standing in front of a picket fence. Doesn't appear to be outdoors. It's a medium-close up shot from the mid-section up.

I can email you the pic if you like, but will need your email through a pm. If you're ok doing it that way.

It's here:

http://i44.tinypic.com/33lyuq9.jpg

Ok this seems to work:

http://i44.tinypic.com/33lyuq9.jpg

Pasquale Ventura wrote:Ok this seems to work:

http://i44.tinypic.com/33lyuq9.jpg

Hmmm, it's a great shot, but I'm not sure it isn't a publicity still rather than from a specific film.


RICHARD M ROBERTS

Hello Pasquale.

I have the same exact still.
Just saw the same scan posted elsewhere which I replied to.

Like Richard said, it is a posed photo for publicities sake.
This was taken in early 1919 probably during the filming of one of their
shorts, my best guess is that it was taken during "When Love is Blind."

Writer Harry C. Carr actually mentions the pic in an April 1919 article,
The Hard Luck Twins, for Picture Play magazine:
"...Charlie Lynn and Ben Turpin had just posed for a close-up back of a
picket fence in the Sennett studio."

There's plenty of info to read and loads of illustrations in my Ben Turpin biography:
http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=Ben%20Turpin&product_id=644

(Tell all your friends!) – SteveR

All my friends are here.....

That narrows it down very well. Thanks to all for the help and information. Yes, I agree Richard it's a terrific shot of Ben and Heine, that's why I bought it.

Steve, I don't have your book yet but it's on my Christmas wish list.

Pasquale