The release of the 8th movie in the “Mission Impossible” series: “The Final Reckoning” is a cause for celebration. Not… Read more Impossible Clowns: Tom Cruise’s Comic Connections
Tag: Silent Cinema
The Pleasure Garden: Hitchcock’s Daring Debut
Alfred Hitchcock was already a film veteran when at just 25 he was offered the chance to direct his first… Read more The Pleasure Garden: Hitchcock’s Daring Debut
Keaton: Comedian of the Future
Buster Keaton was always one of the greatest innovators of screen comedy. From his very first co-directing jobs with Roscoe… Read more Keaton: Comedian of the Future
Chaplin vs Keaton?
The heavyweight battle of the cinematic ages, between two titans of comedy. This rather tiresome debate has been raging for… Read more Chaplin vs Keaton?
Buster Keaton and the Collapsing Lavatory
Joseph “Buster” Keaton (above, centre as a teenage vaudeville star) is today renowned as a comic actor and director of… Read more Buster Keaton and the Collapsing Lavatory
The Wrong Trousers: Making Laurel and Hardy’s “Liberty”
“Liberty” was released in January 1929 and was the 28th short comedy Laurel and Hardy had made together. It stands… Read more The Wrong Trousers: Making Laurel and Hardy’s “Liberty”
Silent Comedy: Where Do I Start?
At both my recent talks I’ve been approached by curious audience members in their 20s and 30s coming up to… Read more Silent Comedy: Where Do I Start?
The Noisy Silent Cinema
Silent cinema was never actually silent. You’ll probably know from your parents or grandparents that a large organ might rise… Read more The Noisy Silent Cinema
