Harry Langdon

Harry Langdon
Author: Gabriella Oldham
Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
Total Pages: 359
Release: 2017-04-18
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 0813169666

Among silent film comedians, three names stand out—Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd—but Harry Langdon indisputably deserves to sit among them as the fourth "king." In films such as The Strong Man (1926) and Long Pants (1927), Langdon parlayed his pantomime talents, expressive eyes, and childlike innocence into silent-era stardom. This in-depth biography, which features behind-the-scenes accounts and personal recollections compiled by Langdon's late wife, provides a full and thoughtful picture of this multifaceted entertainer and his meteoric rise and fall. Authors Gabriella Oldham and Mabel Langdon explore how the actor developed and honed his comedic skills in amateur shows, medicine shows, and vaudeville. Together they survey his early work on the stage at the turn of the twentieth century as well as his iconic routines and characters. They also evaluate his failures from the early sound period, including his decision to part ways with director Frank Capra. Despite his dwindling popularity following the introduction of talkies, Langdon persevered and continued to perform in theater, radio, and film—literally until his dying day—leaving behind a unique and brilliant body of work. Featuring never-before-published stories and photos from his immediate family, this biography is a fascinating and revealing look at an unsung silent film giant.

Harry Langdon

Harry Langdon
Author: William Schelly
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2014-01-10
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 0786451858

A top vaudeville comedian for the first quarter of the 20th century, Harry Langdon rose from performing in Midwest traveling shows to headlining at the Palace Theatre in New York City. He was compared to Chaplin for his work in the classic silent films Tramp, Tramp, Tramp and The Strong Man, and he is often recognized as one of the "big four silent comedians" alongside Chaplin, Lloyd and Keaton. Later in his career, Langdon appeared in a number of talking films, starring or co-starring in almost a hundred of them between 1924 and 1945 and working with several legendary directors, from Frank Capra to Michael Curtiz. This second edition of the only book-length biography of Langdon includes significant new information, including expanded coverage of his early years and more personal details that fill out the human side to the Langdon story. The book also includes a comprehensive filmography and several photographs from all phases of Langdon's life and career.

Motion Picture Series and Sequels

Motion Picture Series and Sequels
Author: Bernard A. Drew
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 597
Release: 2013-12-04
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1317928938

In 1989 alone, for example, there were some forty-five major motion pictures which were sequels or part of a series. The film series phenomenon crosses all genres and has been around since the silent film era. This reference guide, in alphabetical order, lists some 906 English Language motion pictures, from 1899 to 1990, when the book was initially published. A brief plot description is given for each series entry, followed by the individual film titles with corresponding years, directors and performers. Animated pictures, documentaries and concert films are not included but movies released direct to video are.

Author: Jeff Lenburg
Publisher: Chicago Review Press
Total Pages: 370
Release: 2012
Genre:
ISBN: 1613740859

Provides information about the Stooges' lives and careers, including photographs, interviews, and filmography.

Character-Based Film Series Part 3

Character-Based Film Series Part 3
Author: Terry Rowan
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2016-08-31
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1365021319

The Character-based film series, each complete on its own but sharing a common cast of main characters with continuing traits and a similar fituation format and stars include Abbott & Costello, Alan Ladd, Batman, Calamity Jane, Elvis Presley, Harry Callahan, Harry Palmer, Hercules, Indiana Jones, James Bond, John Wayne, Laurel & Hardy, Martin & Lewis, Matt Helm, Nick Carter, Red Ryder, The Saint, Sinbad the Sailor, Spider-Man, Star Trek, Texas Rangers, The Thin Man, The Three Stooges and Tony Rome, plus so many more character-based series. The third book in the series of 3. See the other Books in the series.

Mack Sennett's Fun Factory

Mack Sennett's Fun Factory
Author: Brent E. Walker
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 673
Release: 2010-01-13
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 0786457074

This is a comprehensive career study and filmography of Mack Sennett, cofounder of Keystone Studios, home of the Keystone Kops and other vehicles that showcased his innovative slapstick comedy. The filmography covers the more than 1,000 films Sennett produced, directed, wrote or appeared in between 1908 and 1955, including casts, credits, synopses, production and release dates, locations, cross-references of remade stories and gags, footage excerpted in compilations, identification of prints existing in archives, and other information. The book, featuring 280 photographs, also contains biographies of several hundred performers and technical personnel connected with Sennett.

The Counterclaim

The Counterclaim
Author: R. Droite
Publisher: iUniverse
Total Pages: 249
Release: 2005-08
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0595360335

After trying in vain to sort out the details of his dream, Billy slept intermittently and poorly the rest of the night. Remorse had returned. If only he had the computer savvy of Rosey and the handyman traits of his father, he kept thinking, he could change his identity and start over in Arizona as a bricklayer or some such. Whether or not a pack of Marlboro Lights was in his desk drawer the next morning, one thing was clear. After covering his recent travel expenses, Billy would not take any more of the spoils from the insurance scam. What the Critics say about The Counterclaim "Pointless and uninspired an insult to Mensa members everywhere..." -Wilberforce Twigden, The Blue State Fiction Review "The Counterclaim is pure P. G. Wodehouse, minus the beautiful style, the great plot, and the humor " -Vernon Pliny, 21st Century Man of Letters "For unbridled humor, I still prefer Jimmy Carter's Keeping Faith. " -Jeffrey S. Dudgeon, Stiffington's Fiction Quarterly "Jethro Bodeen, move over!" -Lillian Pirbright-James, Lillian's Literary List

The Columbia Comedy Shorts

The Columbia Comedy Shorts
Author: Ted Okuda
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 497
Release: 2013-10-29
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 147661010X

Columbia produced over 500 two-reel shorts from 1933 through 1958, with Hollywood's finest comics (the Three Stooges, Andy Clyde, Buster Keaton, Harry Langdon, Charley Chase, others). Fully illustrated with never-before-published photographs, the book chronicles the history of all, including interviews with the veterans. The filmography covers all of the 526 two-reelers: credits, date, synopsis.

Three Stooges FAQ

Three Stooges FAQ
Author: David J. Hogan
Publisher: Applause Theatre & Cinema
Total Pages: 648
Release: 2011-09-01
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1557839328

(Applause Books). This entertaining and informative study of the Three Stooges focuses on the nearly 190 two-reel short comedies the boys made at Columbia Pictures during the years 1934-59. Violent slapstick? Of course, but these comic gems are also peerlessly crafted and enthusiastically played by vaudeville veterans Moe, Larry, Curly, Shemp, and Joe arguably the most popular and long-lived screen comics ever produced by Hollywood. Detailed production and critical coverage is provided for every short, plus information about each film's place in the Stooges' careers, in Hollywood genre filmmaking, and in the larger fabric of American culture. From Depression-era concerns to class warfare to World War II to the cold war to rock-and-roll the Stooges reflected them all. Seventy-five stills, posters, and other images many never before published in book form bring colorful screen moments to life and help illuminate the special appeal of key shorts. Exclusive sections include a Stooges biographical and career timeline; a useful, colorful history of the structure and behind-the-camera personnel of the Columbia two-reel unit; and personality sidebars about more than 30 popular players who worked frequently with the Stooges. Also included is a filmography that covers all 190 shorts, plus a bibliography, making this the ultimate guide for all Three Stooges fans!