A NOTE ON LAST-MINUTE CHANGES OF TITLES:

We are screening well over 100 titles. There will be some last minute changes due to a film not arriving or proving too unstable to project. We have plenty of standby films and will make substitutions when necessary. We realize that there will be folks who may have traveled across the globe in the expectation of seeing the Snookie the Humanzee short, so we promise not to make changes in the program frivolously.

A NOTE ON STARTING TIMES:

We have been to film festivals where just ten features a day are programmed, and they still get hopelessly behind schedule. We will run late, so please bear with us. We promise not to start a block of films early, so if you arrive on time, you shouldn't miss anything. But we may have to screen films into the beginning meal breaks, just to get everything in. In the unlikely event we run early, we may throw in an unannounced short.

THE SCHEDULE: Silents are in italics.

THURSDAY, JULY 10

12:00 Noon: Doors of the Spectrum open

1:00pm: Steamboat Bill, Jr. with Buster Keaton

(1928, produced by Joseph Schenck. Directed by Charles Reisner and Buster Keaton. With Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence, Marion Byron). This silent masterpiece is the culmination of Keaton's independent work. The more you know about Keaton's life, the more you will appreciate the autobiographical references. In a stunning print.

2:40pm: Three Talkies from Hal Roach:

Come Clean (1931, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James W. Horne. With Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Charlie Hall) One of Laurel & Hardy's least seen talkies by virtue of the fact that it was left out of recent TV syndication packages. A fine-grain positive print.

War Mamas (1931, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Marshall Neilan. With Thelma Todd, Zasu Pitts). This is a prime example of Todd and Pitts at their best. Might be considered a companion piece to High Seas and Rough Seas, two WWI musical comedies from Charley Chase. A fine-grain positive print.

The Tabasco Kid (1932, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James W. Horne. With Charley Chase, Billy Gilbert) Look for silent comic star Jimmie Adams as one of The Ranch Boys. A fine-grain positive print.

3:40pm: Intermission. Please visit our vendors.

4:00pm: Hal Roach Silents:

Starvation Blues (1925, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Richard Wallace. Story by Stan Laurel and others. With Clyde Cook, Syd Crossley) Laurel and Hardy fans will recognize this as the prototype for Below Zero (1930). Look for Tiny Sandford, as a cop, who would later threaten The Boys in numerous shorts, including Below Zero.

There Ain't No Santa Claus (1926, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James Parrott. With Charlie Chase, Kay Delseys). Charley tries to make a happy holiday for his family, in spite of an avaricious landlord and Noah Young.

Why Girls Say No (1927, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Leo McCarey. Story by Stan Laurel. With Max Davidson, Oliver Hardy, Spec O'Donnell, Creighton Hale) Max will stop at nothing to prevent his daughter from marrying "that Irisher".

5:00pm: Cruise of the Jasper B. (1926, produced by DeMille Pictures Corp. Directed by James W. Horne. With Rod La Rocque, Mildred Harris, Snitz Edwards) We can only quote the late William K. Everson on this one: "…it is, if any film can make that claim, the definitive silent screwball comedy, and a remarkable taste of things to come." - from Hollywood Bedlam.

6:10pm: DINNER BREAK. Please visit our vendors.

7:30pm: Two Leo McCarey Silents:

Flaming Fathers (1927, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Leo McCarey and Stan Laurel. With Max Davidson, Martha Sleeper, Tiny Sandford) A hilarious day at the beach for Papa Gimplewart and family.

Liberty (1929, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Leo McCarey. With Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson, Jean Harlow(!) Laurel and Hardy rival Harold Lloyd in the art of the thrill comedy…and a classic is born. This print is probably the longest extant version with shots not found in the standard release.

8:10pm: Fox Comedies and other Treasures

The Tennis Wizard; (Released by Fox Film Corp, 1926. Van Bibber Series; With Earle Foxe, Florence Gilbert, Marcella Daly, Frank Beal, Sherman Ross and William Davidson) Reginald Van Bibber buys his girl a locket which he loses down the back of another woman's dress, under circumstances wholly innocent of any wrong-doing, and must retrieve the piece of jewelry discreetly while simultaneously fending off both the woman's husband and his new rival - a tennis pro. Print condition: Razor sharp and original titles on amber tinted 1946 Kodak stock.

The Unreal Newsreel; Fox Film Corp.; Compilation of Unreal Newsreel Nº's 1 & 2 (9/20/23 and 6/9/25 respectively); Features clips from earlier seasons of Fox Sunshine comedies starring: Lloyd Hamilton, Heine Conklin, Chester Conklin; Jimmy Finlayson, Al St. John, Clyde Cook; Slim Summerville; Hank Mann and others. Print condition: Razor sharp on amber tinted stock. Missing main titles, but has original intertitles.

1926 Exhibitors' Convention Reel; Fox Film Corp.; 1926; Souvenir handed out to attendees of the 1926 Exhibitors' Convention in Los Angeles; Filmed during the post production of "3 Bad Men" and the filming "The Lily."; Like other similar shorts, this one details the activities of the convention delegates including their journey to and departure from Los Angeles. In between there are interesting sequences which take place at the Fox Studios, the Ambassador, and at the Ranch of Tom Mix. We visit the set of "The Lily" and are introduced to some of the cast of "3 Bad men." Similarly, we are treated to the company of Mr. Fox, Tom Mix, Madge Bellamy, Olive Borden and a handful of others that will no doubt be recognizable to you including the infamous Fred Quimby. B&W printed on Gevaert stock with replacement titles. Late 30s(?) U.S. Armed Forces print.

Mixed Rock and Roach Reel; Three excerptions and a one-reeler.

Running Wild; 1924, produced by Hal Roach. With Eddie Boland, Gaylord Lloyd; Tinted 1942 Kodak; Orig. Inter-titles.

Unidentified Slim Summerville; Blue Ribbon; Release date unknown; Three 100 ft. excerptions; sources vary.

Madame Mystery 1926, produced by Hal Roach.; Pathégrams 150ft Excerption; Theda Bara, Jimmy Finlayson; Oliver Hardy.

Honeymoon Feet; 1926, released by Standard Cinema; A Ton of Fun; R2 only; Amber tinted; Orig. titles.

North of the South Pole 1923, produced by Hal Roach. A rare Spat family short.

Silent Trailer Reel: Home-crafted film entitled "The Letter From Hollywood, Imaginary Happenings in the Movie City" by Hamilton Riddel; Contains trailers from "Go West" (alternate takes?), "The Vanishing American", "Old Clothes", "That Royle Girl" and "A Kiss For Cinderella" among others.

Ready To Serve; 1921 Chester-Educational. Snooky the Humanzee; Synopsis: Snooky is an overworked and neglected farm hand who, in between episodes of abusing smaller animals and attracting flies, single-handedly saves the farm from almost certain disaster. B&W with orig. titles.

9:20pm: Intermission. Please visit our vendors.

9:40pm: Clark & McCullough:

Belle of Samoa (1929, released by Fox. Directed by Marcel Silver. With Lois Moran, Bobby Clark and Paul McCullough) Lois Moran is the star, but Belle of Samoa offers a rare glimpse of C & McC in their early film careers.

Odor in the Court (1934, released by RKO. With Bobby Clark and Paul McCullough, Helen Collins, Tom Kennedy) Probably the best of the later shorts, C & McC shine as crooked lawyers.

10:20pm: Two More Hal Roach silents:

The Nickel Hopper (1927, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by F. Richard Jones. With Mabel Normand, Boris Karloff, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson) Taxi dancer Mabel has a tough time supporting her family.

What Women Did for Me (1927, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Paul Parrott. With Charley Chase, May Wallace, Viola Richard, Gale Henry, Lupe Valez) Girl shy Charley finds himself in increasingly embarrassing situations.

11:10pm: A Christie Cavalcade:

Nifty Numbers: Confessions of a Chorus Girl series #4 (1928, produced by Al Christie. Directed by William Holland. With Francis Lee) Chorine Frances enters a lingerie fashion show.

Soup to Nuts (1925, produced by Al Christie. Directed by William H. Watson. With Neal Burns, Gale Henry) Most Christie comedies only survive as truncated one-reelers. This is a rare two-reeler, albeit with intertitles replaced by a narrative track. Neal "First-degree" Burns has a run in with the Fire Dept.

A Mooney Mariner (1927, produced by Al Christie. Directed by William H. Watson. With Billy Dooley) Our favorite gob on a rocket to the moon!

A Wireless Lizzie (1926, produced by Al Christie. Directed by Earl Rodney. With Walter Hiers) We've always liked wacky inventor comedies.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

9:30am: Spectrum Doors open

10:00am: Rare Chapliniana:

Caught in a Cabaret (1914, Keystone. Directed and starring Charlie Chaplin) This print has a previously unseen "slumming" scene).

Cruel, Cruel Love (1914, Keystone. Directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin) A very rare copy of this title.

The Star Family in Distress (???) Don't think this is a Chaplin film? See if you can tell which Chaplin film was edited to make this new one.

A Night Out (1915, Essanay. Directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin. With Ben Turpin). This is the longest extant version, carefully reconstructed from multiple versions.

Triple Trouble (1918, Essanay. Directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin and Leo White). Stunning print from the original nitrate.

Outtakes from The Count and The Adventurer and other Chapliniana)

11:20am: More From Hal Roach:

Pay Your Dues (1919, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Vincent Bryan, Hal Roach. With Harold Lloyd, Bebe Daniels, Snub Pollard, Noah Young, Lige Conley, Marie Mosquini) Harold gets caught up in increasingly wild initiation stunts.

Shine 'Em Up (1922, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James Davis. With Paul Parrott, Jobyna Ralston) Charley Chase's little brother gets his day in the sun.

The Merry Widower (1926, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Stan Laurel, Richard Wallace. With Ethel Clayton, James Finlayson, Jerry Mandy, Charley Chase)

Should Husbands Pay? (1926, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by F. Richard Jones, Stan Laurel. With James Finlayson, Tyler Brook, Anders Randolf, Martha Sleeper, Tiny Sandford, Anita Garvin) Fin has custody of amorous gadabout Tyler and gets in all kinds of hot water. Anita Garvin's debut role for Hal Roach.

12:20noon: The Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City (1929, released by Universal. Directed by William James Craft. With George Sidney, Mack Swain, Vera Gordon, Kate Price) Cohen and Kelly's bathing suit business is sinking, but their kids try to save it by introducing more modern styles at a beauty contest in Atlantic City. Mack Swain pinch hits for Charlie Murray as Kelly in this outing. The print is missing reel five, but still plays quite nicely.

1:20pm: BROWN BAG LUNCH: THE SLAPSTICK SUMMIT. A freewheeling discussion of all things comedic from some of the most knowledgeable experts in the field. The rest of the world's experts will probably be found in the audience and are expected to chime in often and vociferously. Hosted by Steve Massa and Rob Arkus. Panelists include many of the authors, collectors and programmers in the film comedy world.

2:50pm: An Educational Entertainment:

Careful Please (1926, released by Educational. Directed by Norman Taurog. With Lloyd Hamilton, Marcella Daly, Eddie Boland) Ham is a bill collector in a tough neighborhood where he falls for a vamp.

Curses! (1925, released by Educational. Directed by Grover Jones and/or Roscoe Arbuckle. With Al St. John) One of the wildest comedies ever made. A must-see for action and serial lovers.

Time Flies (1925, released by Educational. Directed by Jess Robbins. With Lupino Lane)

Nobody's Business (1926, released by Educational. Directed by Norman Taurog. With Lloyd Hamilton, Eddie Boland) Ham sells spiked coffee at his beachside hot dog stand.

4:10pm: Intermission. Please visit our vendors.

4:30pm: Larry Semon:

Tough Luck and Tin Lizzies (1917, released by Vitagraph. Directed by and starring Larry Semon) A gorgeous print of this rare title.

Spuds fragment (1927, released by Pathe. Directed by and starring Larry Semon) The only surviving fragment from Larry's last starring feature role.

4:45pm: Other Hal Roach series:

Call Her Sausage (1933, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Gus Meins. With Ben Blue, Billy Bletcher) Officially the final entry in the "Taxi Boys" series, but this oddball short looks like a pilot for a "Schmaltz Brothers" series set in a grocery store. A flawless print with the British Board of Censors approval.

Crooks Tour (1933, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Robert F. McGowan. With Douglas Wakefield, Billy Nelson, Gertrude Astor). An all-star musical short. This was Robert Youngson's own print.

One-Horse Farmers (1934, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Gus Meins. With Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly) One of the funniest and rarest entries in the Todd/Pitts/Kelly series.

Roamin' Vandals (1934, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Leigh Jason & Hal Yates. With Billy Gilbert, Patsy Kelly, Eddie Foy, Jr.) Another musical short, this one made while Kelly was working in the Thelma Todd series.

6:05pm: DINNER BREAK. Please visit our vendors.

7:30pm: I'll Take My Keaton Rare, Please!, Part I:

Convict 13 (10/27/20, produced by Joseph Schenck. Directed by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline. With Buster Keaton, Sybil Sealy, Joe Roberts, Joe Keaton). Buster's second starring short features many of his vaudeville bits. Presented here in a restored print with the ending intact.

Trailer for The Goat (1921, produced by Joseph Schenck. Directed by Buster Keaton and Malcom St. Clair. With Buster Keaton) A rare example of an early trailer promoting comedy shorts, with seems literally thrown-together from outtakes. Watch the actor playing the cop waiting for St. Clair's cue.

Seein' Stars (1922, with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Jackie Coogan and everyone else who worked for First National at the time. Clips include shots that have not survived in Chaplin's The Pilgrim and Keaton's Daydreams.

The Playhouse (10/6/21, produced by Joseph Schenck. Directed by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline. With Buster Keaton, Joe Roberts, Virginia Fox) Think you've seen this title? Tonight is an opportunity to see a complete print with the original intertitles. Track by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra.

Carter DeHaven in Character Studies (1925, probably produced for a private party. Directed by and starring Carter DeHaven and a host of surprise talents). We'll say no more.

Palooka from Paducah (1/1135, produced by Educational. Directed by Charles Lamont. With Buster, Joe, Myra, and Louise Keaton) This is the closest we'll ever come to seeing The Three Keatons. Many of the Educational shorts survive as dupes, but this is a beautiful print.

Grand Slam Opera (2/2136, produced by Educational. Directed by Charles Lamont. With Buster Keaton, Harold Goodwin, Diana Lewis, Bud Jamison) We present a stellar print of an old favorite. Buster always remembered this one fondly and believed this to be the only sound two-reeler that lived up to his standards. He even ponied up cash for rights to a song when Educational was too cheap to do so.

9:00pm: Intermission. Please visit our vendors. This would be a good time to learn more about the Damfinos: The Buster Keaton Appreciation Society.

9:20pm: I'll Take My Keaton Rare, Please!, Part II:

Pest from the West (6/16/39, produced by Jules White for Columbia release. Directed by Del Lord. With Buster Keaton, Lorna Gray (Adrian Booth), Bud Jamison, Ned Glass)

So You Won't Squawk (2/21/41, produced by Del Lord and Hugh McCollum for Columbia release. Directed by Del Lord. With Buster Keaton, Matt McHugh, Bud Jamison, Hank Mann, Vernon Dent)

TV Commercials (1950s, 1960s)

Scene from Jackie Gleason show An example of Buster's many TV appearances.

Lessons in Living These seem to have been produced as generic wraparounds for a variety of programs. Great gags that were no doubt planned by Buster himself.

Trailer from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1965, produced by MGM. Directed by Richard Lester. With Zero Mostel, Phil Silvers, Buster Keaton, Jack Gilford)

The Homeowner (1963, produced by John F. Long Homes. With Buster Keaton) This film was discovered and restored by our own Richard Roberts. Filmed in the Maryvale section of Phoenix AZ to promote John F. Long Homes. How many more of these kinds of sales films are waiting to be discovered.

The Devil to Pay (1960, produced by Educational Research Films for the National Association of Wholesalers, Directed by Herb Skoble. With Buster Keaton as Diablos.

SATURDAY JULY 12

9:30am: Spectrum Doors open.

10:00am: FelixFest (1920s, produced by Pat Sullivan for Educational Release. Directed by Otto Messmer). Titles include Sherlocked Holmes, Felix Turns the Tide, and Felix Trumps the Ace. To many, these represented the pinnacle of silent animation, combining great gags with wild imagery.

10:30am: Color cartoon extravaganza Titles include an aye-popping restoration of Popeye Meets Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Tex Avery's Page Miss Glory, and a great Paul Terry Mighty Mouse, Fight to the Finish.

PROGRAM NOTE: At 12:30pm, their will be a screening at the National Gallery of Art East auditorium of two early Ernst Lubitsch comedies: The Oyster Princess (1919) and Romeo and Juliet in the Snow (1920) with accompaniment by Ray Brubacher. We will continue to screen films at the Spectrum during these performances, so if you want to see the Lubitsch films, you should leave soon. Screenings are free and open to the public, but you need to get there early to be assured of a seat. The volunteers at the registration desk will advise you on using the Metrorail system, which deposits you within a few blocks of the National Gallery East. There will be no bus service for the Lubitsch performances.

11:20am: Spanking Age (1928, produced by Hal Roach. With Our Gang). One of the rarest of the silent Our Gangs, thought lost until just a few years ago. Food flies when the Gang decides to throw a society party.

11:40am: SennettSation:

Love, Honor and Behave (1920, produced by Mack Sennett. Directed by Richard Jones, Earl Kenton. With Charles Murray, Ford Sterling, Phyllis Haver, Marie Prevost, Billy Bevan, Eddie Gribbon) The only two surviving reels of this five-reel feature, and a glimpse at one of Sennett's stock company feature comedies that starred practically everyone.

The Halfback of Notre Dame (1924, produced by Mack Sennett. Directed by Del Lord. With Harry Gribbon, Jack Cooper, Madeline Hurlock, Andy Clyde, Vernon Dent and the Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties) Football and flying bicycles. Who could ask for more?

Black Oxfords (1924, produced by Mack Sennett. Directed by Del Lord. With Sid Smith, Vernon Dent, Marceline Day, Andy Clyde) Sid must win a horserace to pay the mortgage and save Mom and Sis from eviction.

Matchmaking Mama (1929, produced by Mack Sennett. Directed by Harry Edwards. With Johnny Burke, Matty Kemp, Sally Eilers, Daphne Pollard, Carole Lombard and the Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties) A fine example of late, silent Sennett, originally with Sennettcolor scenes. Sharp-eyed viewers will note a momentary lapse in decorum.

1:00pm: Lunch Break. Please visit our vendors.

2:15pm: Bus departs from Rosslyn Spectrum for the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

3:00pm:

Kiss Me Quick (1920, released by Fox Sunshine. Directed by John G. Blystone. With Clyde Cook, Hampton Del Ruth) The loss of virtually the entire Fox Sunshine comedy output is tragic in light of the tantalizing fragments that have survived. Here's an example. With Czech flash titles, but no amount of translation will make this plot comprehensible. 35mm.

A Twilight Baby (1920, produced by Henry Lehrman. Directed by Jack White. With Lloyd Hamilton, Virginia Rappe, Billie Ritchie, Lige Conley) Much barnyard humor ensues when cowardly Ham, released from prison for bootlegging, competes for the affections of Virginia. Yes, it's that Virginia Rappe. Print starts about a minute into the film. 35mm

The Iron Mule (1925, released by Educational. Directed by Grover Jones and/or Roscoe Arbuickle. With Al St. John, Doris Deane and a cameo by Buster Keaton) If you looked in vain for Buster Keaton in most surviving prints of this title, look no more. He's in this uncut two-reel version along with the train used in Our Hospitality. 35mm.

The Uneasy Three (1925, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Leo McCarey. With Charley Chase, Katherine Grant, Bull Montana, James Finalyson) Charley heads up a group of high society thieves. 35mm.

Feed 'Em and Weep (1928, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Fred Guiol. With Max Davidson, Anita Garvin and Marion Byron). Restaurant shenanigans as Hal Roach experiments with combining the Davidson and Garvin-Byron series. With Czech intertitles, but you will be guided through the plot by our own Cole Johnson.

5:15pm: Bus departs from National Gallery of Art to the Spectrum. Dinner Break.

PROGRAM NOTE: As part of Arlington County's Art Al Fresco series, an evening of Laurel & Hardy titles will be screened outdoors at Lubber Run Amphitheater beginning at dusk (8:15-ish). The park is at North 2^nd and North Columbus Streets in Arlington. There is no bus service to this site. Screenings will continue at the Spectrum as scheduled. If you want to drive to Lubber Run for the Laurel & Hardy screenings, the volunteers at the registration desk can help you with directions.

7:00pm: Films on the Hill at the Rosslyn Spectrum:

The Thieving Hand (1908, released by Vitagraph) A bizarre early comedy, low on taste but high on imagination!

Pigs is Pigs (1915, released by Vitagraph. Directed by George Baker. With John Bunny)

Billy Blazes, Esq. (1919, produced and directed by Hal Roach. With Harold Lloyd, Beb Daniels, Snub Pollard, Noah Young) Harold gets a taste of the old west.

Bumping into Broadway (1919, produced and directed by Hal Roach. With Harold Lloyd, Beb Daniels, Snub Pollard, Noah Young, Gaylord Lloyd) Harold was recovering from his devastating injuries due to a prop bomb when this went into release and insured his stardom.

Down to Earth (1917, produced by Artcraft Pictures. Directed by John Emerson. With Douglas Fairbanks, Eileen Percy, Gustave von Seyffertitz) Fairbanks the comedian was to be overshadowed by Fairbanks the swashbuckler, but this breezy outing should remind audiences why audiences loved Doug even before he drew his first sword. And how many comedies used a smallpox scare as a plot point?

Bad Boy (1925, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Leo McCarey. With Charley Chase, Eddie Bordon, Martha Sleeper, Noah Young) Charley is the factory owner's son, put in charge of the works, much to the motley workers' disdain.

Pass the Gravy (1928, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Fred Guiol. With Max Davidson, Spec O'Donnell, Martha Sleeper) Max serves a very foul fowl to impress his daughter's father -in-law.

9:50pm: Intermission. Please visit our vendors.

10:10pm: Silent Clowns Struggle with Sound and Sometimes Even Win:

Bridge Wives (1932, produced by Educational Pictures. Directed by Roscoe Arbuckle. With Al St. John) Educational's one-reel Cameo Comedies were knocked out quickly and cheaply, but this comedy proves that with the right talent,

The Sleeping Porch (1929, produced by Al Christie. Directed by Leslie Pearce. With Raymond Griffith) Griffith plays a man whose vocal chords are strained due to a bad cold, and the comedy does succeed, but how long could he have sustained the characterization?

Honk Your Horn (1930, produced by Educational Pictures. Directed by Alf Goulding. With Lloyd Hamilton, Lige Conley) Flea circus proprietor Ham tries to drum up business for Lige's garage.

The Big Kick (1930, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by William Doane. With Harry Langdon, Edgar Kennedy) One of the strangest entries in the Langdon-Roach collaborations suggests that Harry was experimenting with something, but exactly what is anyone's guess.

It's a Bird (Released 1934, actual production date is anyone's guess. Directed by Charley Bowers and Harold Muller. With Charley Bowers and Lowell Thomas) Bowers' first known talkie is done in the style of his great silents. Certainly this should have given Bowers' a shot at a series.

Dumbbells in Derbies retitled They Wanted Excitement (1931, produced by Larry Darmour. With Karl Dane and George K. Arthur). If there's a worse two-reeler than this one, we haven't seen it. Print has water damage, shrinkage and a severe lack of humor, so tonight may be Dumbbells in Derbies' farewell performance.
 

SUNDAY, JULY 13

Hollywood Trouble (1931, A Thalians short released by Universal.

The Peppery Salt (1936, produced by Jules White. Directed by Del Lord. With Andy Clyde, Mary Lou Dix, Harry Keaton) Leonard Maltin praised this short for it's elaborate gags. And is that Buster's younger brother or the other Harry Keaton in the cast?

A Doggone Mixup (1938, produced and directed by Jules White. With Harry Langdon, Ann Duran, Vernon Dent, Bud Jamison) Harry adapted to sound quite successfully in this comedy in which he wrestles with a St. Bernard.

His Bridal Fright (1940, produced by Jules White. Directed by Del Lord. With Charley Chase, Iris Meredith, Bud Jamison, Vernon Dent) Charley's final release before his death shows that he lost none of the comic inventiveness from the old days.

11:00am: Encores of Audience Favorites. Have you voted? (no features, please).

12:00noon: Lunch Break. Please visit our vendors.

1:00pm: Slapstick Learns to Walk: Early One-reelers:

Ethel's Roof Party (1914, released by Komic. Directed by Eddie Dillon. With Tod Browning, Baldy Belmont, Fay Tincher, Tammany Young)

Wished on Mabel (1915, released by Keystone. Directed by Roscoe Arbuckle. With Mabel Normand, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and Edgar Kennedy) Another park comedy from Sennett, only this time filmed in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

The Phony Cannibal (1915, released by Kalem. Directed by Chance E. Ward. With Lloyd Hamilton and Bud Duncan) This is the funniest Ham and Bud short we've seen to date. With cogent political commentary on U.S. foreign policy to boot!

Gussle's Wayward Path (1915, released by Keystone. Directed by Charles Avery. With Syd Chaplin and Phyllis Allen) Syd flirts while wife Phyllis sharpens her hatchet. Doesn't he ever learn?

Play Ball (1917, produced by Jacksonville Film Company. Bobby Burns and Walter Stull) A good example of Florida filmmaking and a Pokes & Jabs comedy.

The Cameraman (1920, released by Reelcraft. Directed by Grover Jones. With Billy Franey, "The Whittler") A wild reel that at least one programmer thinks was decades ahead of its time. Was Grover Jones a closet surrealist?

2:00pm:

An Elephant on His Hands (1920, released by Producers Security Corp. With Hughie Mack, Dot Farley, The Selig Elephants) Yes Virginia, there was a series of elephant comedies. But this is only one of two as the pachyderms' comedic potential was decidedly limited.

The Early Bird (1925, produced by C.C. Burr. Directed by Charles Hines. With Johnny Hines, Flora Finch). Johnny Hines starred in a series of top-notch comedies incorporating slapstick and thrills. Here in one of his rarest and best comedies, Hines plays a milkman who saves the milk industry, his company and his girl from an ice-crushing machine all at the same time. Also features a real, honest-to-goodness automat.

3:20pm: Intermission. Please visit our vendors.

3:40pm: Three More Talkies

Next Door Neighbors (1931, released by Pathe. Directed by Harry Sweet. With Edgar Kennedy, Franklin Pangborn, Arthur Housman, Pert Kelton). A Hal Roach-like comedy with a very Roach-like cast. A rare chance to see Housman playing at sobriety (whatta stretch!).

What Price Taxi? (1932, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Del Lord. Starring Franklin Pangborn, Clyde Cook, Billy Gilbert) This is the first of the short-lived Taxi Boys series, and probably the best of the lot.

Twice Two (1933, produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Paul Parrott. With Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Baldwin Cooke, Charlie Hall). The one where the boys play each others' wives. And Ollie's last appearance in drag.

4:40pm:

Cinderella Cinders (1920, released by Reelcraft. Directed by Fredric J. Ireland. With Alice Howell, Dick Smith) Alice at her best, as she loses her job at a crummy diner and poses as royalty at a fancy soiree. See why Stan Laurel rated her as one of the best of the comediennes.

Ella Cinders (1926, First National. Directed by Alfred E. Green. With Colleen Moore. This delightful fairytale set in Hollywood features one of Moore's finest comic performances. Look for director Green as himself and a brief cameo by First National star Harry Langdon.

5:45pm: SPECTRUM CLOSES IT'S DOORS.
 

Sunday Dinner at Tom Sarris' New Orleans Steakhouse (vegetarians will love their great salad bar). Dutch, of course.