When Comedy Was King (1960)

Film Overview
"When Comedy Was King" is a 1960 American collection film directed by Robert Youngson. It features a classic retrospective take a look at remarkable minutes from the slapstick funnies of the "Silent Era" in Hollywood. The film is put together from a wealth of vintage material, consisting of clips from work of arts by famous silent movie comedians such as Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy, Harry Langdon, and others.

Film Structure
The movie is consisted of a series of clips from the quiet film era, offering an abundant collection of comedy sketches, pie-throwing, custard-pie battles, vehicle chases after, and different hilarious antics. In in between the clips, Youngson skillfully narrates, connecting them together and supplying context and insights into the included stars and their experiences during the quiet movie era. The narrative structure of the documentary mixes useful elements with comedic shipment, making it a satisfying and academic watch.

Featured Stars
Charlie Chaplin is highlighted thoroughly with excerpts from classics like "The Fireman" (1916) and "The Vagabond" (1916), offering audiences a chance to relive his iconic performances. Buster Keaton is another prominent figure in this collection, sparkling in scenes from "The General" (1926) and "The Playhouse" (1921). A highly representative part of the movie is committed to funny duo Laurel and Hardy and their distinguished comedic timing in movies like "The Second Hundred Years" (1927). Other comedy legends such as Fatty Arbuckle, Gloria Swanson, Ford Sterling, Mabel Normand, and Wallace Beery are likewise showcased.

Picked Scenes and Antics
A remarkable scene from "When Comedy Was King" features a famous pie battle from the Mack Sennett funny "Behind the Screen" (1916) involving Charlie Chaplin, with numerous pies being thrown in quick succession. Another exceptional minute is from the 1918 Ford Sterling's movie "A Movie Star" where Sterling gets struck by a custard pie tossed by none other than famous movie director D.W. Griffith. The lively scene where Laurel and Hardy get into a funny donkey ride in "With Love and Hisses" (1927) is another crowd favourite.

Narrative and Final Tribute
Comedic actor Dwight Weist offers the narration with his dry-humored narration, directing audiences through each funny scene and offering context. The movie concludes with a touching homage to "all the fun-makers", the unnamed comedians of the quiet period, highlighting that their humor and laughter continue to reside on, ageless and undiminished.

Important Reception
"When Comedy Was King" was warmly received for its well-curated collection of silent-era funny clips and its useful and funny narrative. The film was successful in reviving gratitude for the quiet film age's comical pioneers and fulfilled its purpose of showcasing the golden age of funny.

To sum up, "When Comedy Was King" acts as a wonderful tribute to the silent film age, a gold mine of classic comedic moments. It provides an extensive and pleasurable journey through the earliest days of film comedy, capturing the essence of the period when slapstick, mime, and visual humor were king, making it a must-watch for silent movie lovers and funny lovers.

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