Monday, June 7, 2010

Rare Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle films shown in Los Angeles June 9, 2010

This Wednesday, June 9th at 8pm, I'll be introducing some rare 1914 Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle Keystone comedies from the Library of Congress, ZIP THE DODGER and an excerpt from FATTY'S WINE PARTY, along with MABEL'S WILFUL WAY and another Arbuckle Keystone TBA at the Cinefamily (at the legendary Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax). The shorts will be shown before the rare Marion Davies feature THE CARDBOARD LOVER (also from LOC), which will be introduced by Hugh Munro Neely. This is a very rare opportunity to see these LOC-preserved films shown in Southern California.

Previously unknown Charlie Chaplin appearance unearthed!

It was always believed that Charlie Chaplin appeared in 35 films for Mack Sennett's Keystone studios during 1914. However, nearly 100 years later, a 36th film has been discovered. Chaplin makes a brief appearances as a Keystone cop in A THIEF CATCHER, released February 19, 1914, but filmed between January 5 and 26, 1914. It was made after MAKING A LIVING, and Chaplin's bit would have been filmed sometime during or after Chaplin's filming of KID AUTO RACES AT VENICE, CAL. (filmed January 10) and MABEL'S STRANGE PREDICAMENT (filmed January 6 to 12). The discovery was made by Paul E. Gierucki, and the film will be shown at Slapsticon in Arlington, VA (July 15-18, 2010). You can read more in this article by Scott Eyman in the Palm Beach Post and on the Slapsticon website which contains a press release.