Disc 1 contains the programs “In the Beginning: Film Comedy Pioneers” and “Keystone Tonight!: Mack Sennett Comedies.”
1-`Pioneers' - Section one of disk one features the pioneers of silent slapstick and contains, I believe, the earliest film in this collection, the 4-minute long `Mr. Flip' (1909), starring cross-eyed comic Ben Turpin. Mr. Griffith hadn't invented the close-up yet so we don't get a chance to see Turpin's crossed money makers. This film has Mr. Flip flirting with every woman he comes across and getting slapped with shaving cream, pies, etc., for his trouble. No plot, not even a real start or end, and really not very funny, but oddly engaging.
One Too Many (1916) with Oliver Hardy and Billy Ruge . Plump (Hardy) needs a wife and baby to please his rich uncle. Runt (Ruge) and others are enlisted to help. Mayhem ensues. Transferred from a very-good 16mm reduction print, without its main title. Synthesizer music by Brian Benison, which abruptly ends. Plump & Runt
The Wrong Mr. Fox (1917) with Victor Moore . Ham actor Jimmie Fox (Moore) bound for Canaan, Vermont, is mistaken for Reverend John Fox bound for Canaan, New Hampshire. Jimmie’s ‘sermon’ is funny. From a very-good 35mm print. Pipe organ music by Ken Rosen.
Mr. Flip (1909) with Ben Turpin (before his crosseyed character). Mr. Flip (Turpin) puts the ‘move’ on a series of disinterested females. From a very-good 16mm print. Fotoplayer music by Robert Israel.
Alkali Ike’s Auto (1911) with Augustus Carney Alkali Ike (Carney) tries oneupsmanship with Mustang Pete for a widow’s affections, and ends up with an auto that is more trouble than it’s worth. From a very-good 35mm print that is missing its beginning and has a few splices. Synthesizer music by Brian Benison.
Fox Trot Finesse (1915) with Mr. & Mrs. Sidney Drew. Reticent Ferdie Crosby (Drew) is forced by Mrs. Crosby (Lucille McVey Drew) to take up dancing, and he fakes a foot injury to get out of it. From a very-good composite 35mm and 16mm-based reconstruction print. Synthesizer music by Brian Benison.
A Cure for Pokeritis (1912) with John Bunny and Flora Finch. A losing poker player (Bunny) swears off gambling for his wife (Finch), but cannot stop. From an excellent, though slightly worn, 35mm print with several splices. Piano and violin music by Robert Israel.
Be My Wife (1921) with Max Linder. This abridged version of Linder’s very funny American feature comedy has Max (Linder) vying for Mary’s hand in marriage over the objections of Aunt Agatha (Flora Finch) who favors rotund Simon. From a very-good, though jittery, 35mm print. Piano and violin music by Robert Israel.
A Natural Born Gambler (1916) with Bert Williams Bert (Williams) is a member of a society that pretends to be against the gambling that they love. Williams heads a nearly all-black cast. From a very-good, but uneven and jittery, 35mm print with a number of splices. Synthesizer music by Eric Beheim.
The Sennett program begins with Mabel’s Dramatic Career (1913) with Mabel Normand and Mack Sennett. Housemaid Mabel takes up film acting after beau Mack falls for another woman. From a very-good 16mm print of the ‘Keystone Eagle Films’ rerelease version known as Her Dramatic Debut. Fotoplayer music by Robert Israel.
Barney Oldfield’s Race for a Life (1913) with Mabel Normand and Mack Sennett. In this parody of film melodramas, Mabel is abducted by the moustached villain (Ford Sterling) and tied to railroad tracks until rescued, with the help of famous race car driver Barney Oldfield. From an excellent 35mm print (with an insert shot of the rescue from a good 16mm print). Marimba music, with sound effects, by Michael Holland and the Ko-Ko-Nuts Theater Orchestra.
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