Day Four

Forgotten Laughter II  (95mins)

Featuring a selection of films from much neglected silent comediennes including: Mabel Normand, Baby Peggy, Anita Garvin and Marion Byron along with Stan Laurel and Monty Banks.

Film’s include: the Keystone cops in their infancy in BARNEY OLDIFELD’S RACE FOR A LIFE (1913), A PAIR OF TIGHTS (1928), DR.PYCKLE AND MR.PRIDE with Stan Laurel spoofing John Barrymore. Baby Peggy’s astounding performance age four in KID REPORTER (1922) and a Monty Banks 'thrill' comedy  PLAY SAFE (1927), with the railroad chase to end all railroad chases. Paul Merton and David Wyatt host.

The General (1927) U
Introduced by Paul Merton

* SOLD OUT *

Date: Sunday 16th January 2005
Time: 4pm
Venue: Watershed, Cinema 3

Dir: Buster Keaton.
Also starring Marion Mack, Glen Cavender, Jim Farley
80mins

Generally now regarded as one of the greatest silent comedies and Keaton's own favorite, this Civil War adventure-epic classic made toward the end of the silent era is filled with hilarious sight gags and perfectly timed stunt work. The chase comedy was written and directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman, and filmed at a huge $400,000 budget. Keaton plays Johnny Gray, a courageous Southern Confederate train engineer doggedly in pursuit of his passionately-loved locomotive and the woman he loves.  Keaton’s undisputed masterpiece.

with Photoplay production’s restoration print and with live accompaniment from Neil Brand on piano and Gunter Buchvald on violin.

SLAPSTICK Panel 

An opportunity to be part of a discussion, along with film extracts, exploring silent comedy, it’s influences and it’s future with a panel of ‘experts’. Including David Robinson (Director of Pordenone’s silent film festival) Paul Merton (Silent comedy Champion), Kevin Brownlow (film historian, author and film maker), David Wyatt (researcher and silent comedy expert), Richard Roberts (Director of Slapsticon USA).