It's hard to believe this book has been around for
25 years, but, thank goodness, it is still available, if only
in paperback. Walter Kerr's loving and perceptive tome to the
comedians of the silent era should be a part of every silent film
buff's required reading. It has become somewhat of THE book on
the silent comedians and their art. And the word "art"
should be emphasized here, because Kerr doesn't delve into their
private lives or their personal antics and foibles. Instead, he
concentrates on the artist in each one, their skill at filmmaking
and the films themselves and what makes them unique. Kerr leads
the reader to see the films in a different perspective - why and
how they appeal to us - and thus a greater appreciation of the
films. Much credit goes to Kerr, too, because he includes a wide
range of silent comedians in his volume - not just Chaplin, Keaton,
Lloyd and Langdon. That's not the say these four don't get the
bulk of the pages, but there are also chapters on Raymond Griffith,
Laurel and Hardy and Arbuckle; chapters on the Sennett and Roach
studios; and, also, chapters such as "The Demiclowns"
and "Some Imperfect Fools" which give us some insight
into near-forgotten comedians like Lloyd Hamilton, Larry Semon,
Lupino Lane and others. Oh, and, lest we forget, the book has
loads of wonderful photos, high quality. If somehow during the
past 25 years this book hasn't made it into your hands, you should
order it - now!
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