Silent Comedy

By: Paul Merton

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Paperback | 15 May 2009 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
384 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
19.7 x 13.1 x 2.5

Paperback

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One of our foremost comedians shares his passion for the greats of the silent comedy era

On the surface it may seem slightly surprising that a master of verbal humour should also be a devotee of silent comedy, but Paul Merton is completely passionate about the early days of Hollywood comedy and the comic geniuses who dominated it. His knowledge is awesome - as anyone who watched his BBC 4 series Silent Clowns or attended the events he has staged nationwide will agree - his enthusiasm is infectious, and these qualities are to be found in abundance in his book.

Starting with the very earliest pioneering short films, he traces the evolution of silent comedy through the 1900s and considers the works of the genre's greatest exponents - Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and Harold Lloyd - showing not only how each developed in the course of their career but also the extent to which they influenced each other. At the same time, Paul brings a comedian's insight to bear on the art of making people laugh, and explores just how the great comic ideas, routines, gags and pratfalls worked and evolved. His first book for ten years, this is destined to be a classic.

Industry Reviews

Silent Comedy is a terrific history of props and pratfalls...I'm a better person for having read this * The Times *
***** Such is Merton's enthusiasm that his story grips throughout. * Mail on Sunday *
An awestruck and knowledgeable introduction to Hollywood's earliest funsters...lovingly researched * Daily Telegraph *
Penned with genuine passion...both well crafted and carefully researched * Film Review *
He makes some striking biographical connections the rest of us have missed ... he certainly knows his subject. -- Kevin Brownlow * Spectator *

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Arts & Entertainment Film, TV & Radio Specific Films Film Theory & Criticism General Issues in Art Film Styles & Genres Comedy & Humour

Starting out	p. 1
First steps in Hollywood	p. 28
Charlie centre stage	p. 56
Enter Buster - and others	p. 86
Comedy at length	p. 120
Scandal and safety	p. 148
Panning for gold	p. 188
Butlers and generals	p. 226
Laurel meets Hardy	p. 248
The arrival of sound	p. 282
Notes	p. 308
Index	p. 310
Text and Illustration Acknowledgements	p. 316
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

Silent Comedy

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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