11.00am, Watershed: No (Slapstick) Please, We're British
Although much slapstick film has its origins in British comedy traditions, and early Hollywood was awash with British performers (Chaplin and Laurel), the Brits didn't develop an indigenous comedy film factory on a scale that would allow this specialised form of comedy to develop. Instead, the best British silents focused more on parody and absurdism. Paul Merton hosts a selection of surviving material from the bfi's Archive.
2.00pm, Watershed: A Date with Jean Darling
Jean Darling appeared in some 35 Our Gang's - Hal Roach's incredibly successful (and the world's longest running) short comedy series. A unique opportunity to meet Jean onstage, interviewed by silent comedy expert David Wyatt and a complete screening of Wiggle Your Ears (1929), regarded as one of her best silent films.
4.00pm, Watershed: Desert Island Slapstick
We asked Slapstick's host and special guests to choose just one silent comedy short or feature to take on a remote desert island with them. Our castaways include Paul Merton, Neil Innes, Our Gang's Jean Darling and award-winning animator Richard Williams.
All share their personal choices with us and will be available to answer your questions. With titles including Laurel and Hardy and Jacque Tati this promises to be an event not to be missed!
Hosted by film historian David Robinson
8.30pm, Watershed: The Circus
*** SOLD OUT ***
Slapstick 2007 closes with a masterpiece from the foremost genius of silent comedy, Charlie Chaplin. The Circus (1928) climaxes with cinema's greatest comic nightmare: the purest comedy of Chaplin's maturity, with gags that are now classic and one of the most heart-rending Chaplin endings. A masterpiece not to be missed. Introduced by Paul Merton.