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short comedies on EYE
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 11:27 pm
by David Denton
If you have been reading the "Dinty" thread on Nitrateville, Steve Massa has listed quite a few of the silent comedies viewable on Thought Equity. In addition, if you decrease the duration to perhaps 200 seconds, you will find shorter material (4 to 10 minutes)for example, two IMP comedies with John Cumpson from 1912, a Nestor "Operating on Cupid"(1915) with Neal Burns that looks like it's trying to be an L-KO, and "Bertha, the Buttonhole Maker" (1914) a Biograph copying (parodying?) Keystone down to having Cops who look like Arbuckle, St. John and Sterling.
There are many Vitagraphs on hand with Bunny and without. A great chance to see Flora Finch on her own, Wally Van, Sidney Drew.
There are even two King Baggot comedies. Edison shorts with Arthur Housman and Alice Washburn.
I know watching silent comedy on your computer is not anyone's preference, but you won't find these films anywhere else.
Re: short comedies on EYE
Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 11:02 am
by Steve Massa
As David says it's a real silent comedy treasure trove, and a chance to see rarities with Billie Ritchie, John Bunny, even "Smiling Billy" Parsons.
My friends at the Eye Institute have told me this is only the material they've been able to digitize so far. There's a lot more silent American comedies in their holdings.
Re: short comedies on EYE
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:49 am
by Joe Moore
Since Dave mentioned the Eye site I thought it might be nice if we listed some quick links here for people who want to go see some of the goodies quickly.
Here's a few to get started-
Almost a Scandal-1915-L-KO Director: Henry Lehrman Cast: Biliie Ritchie, Henry Bergman, Hank Mann
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 286_s01.doWorries and Wobbles-1917-Vitagraph- Director: Larry Semon Cast: Jimmy Aubrey, Earl Montgomery, Joe Rock
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... %2CwobblesA Lesson in Jealousy-1913-Vitagraph- Director: Harry Lambert Cast: Sidney Drew, Clara Kimball Young
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 291_s01.doHurry Up-1922-Educational-Cameo- Director:Fred Hibbard Cast: Jimmie Adams, Virginia Vance
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 353_s01.doFatty's Chance Acquaitance-1915-Keystone- Director: Roscoe Arbuckle Cast: Roscoe Arbuckle, Minta Durfee, Billie Bennett, Harry McCoy, Frank Hayes
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 353_s01.doStenographer Troubles-1913-Vitagraph- D: Frederick A. Thomson Cast: John Bunny, Flora Finch, Norma Talmadge, Clara Kimball Young
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 412_s01.doGertie's Gasoline Glide-1916-L-KO- Cast: Billy Armstrong, Gertrude Selby, Phil Dunham, Dave Morris
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... ne%2CglideBill's Opportunity-1918-Capitol Comedies- Cast: Smiling Billy Parsons
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip/141D7600_s01.doA couple quick notes about the prints-all inter-titles are in Dutch (but most are pretty easy to follow anyway) and there are no music tracks (so you might want to throw on a ragtime CD while you watch).
Best
Joe Moore
Re: short comedies on EYE
Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:23 pm
by Steve Rydzewski
Thanks so much for posting the links, Joe.
Just watched "Gertie's Gasoline Glide" and was good to see Billy Bevan playing the minister.
But these clips are playing pretty jerkily for me, not a smooth run.
Anyone else having the same problem? Most annoying! (but good stuff nonetheless).
SteveR (hope you are well, Joe, long time no see!)
Re: short comedies on EYE
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:40 am
by Joe Moore
Hey Steve,
Glad you like the links. I figured it would make it easier for folks.
I've heard some people have had trouble at times playing the clips with the films freezing up and playing jerkily but so far I haven't had too much trouble myself.
Anyway here's a few more easy links-
Jerry's Mother-In-Law-1913-Vitagraph- Director: James Young Cast: Sidney Drew, Clara Kimball Young, Kate Price
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 152_s01.doThe No-Account Count-1914-Kalem- Director: Albert W. Hale Cast: Fred Hornby, Ethel Teare, John Brennan, John Rand
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... nt%2CcountOperating on Cupid-1915-Nestor- Director: Horace Davey Writer: Al Christie Cast: Billie Rhodes, Neal Burns, Ray Gallagher
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... on%2CcupidBest
Joe Moore
Re: short comedies on EYE
Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:32 am
by Robert Arkus
Steve-
I was also having some troubles playing at first ... I'm on a PC; I cleaned my cache, closed other windows I had opened, and it was fine. Also, there are two players: Simple and Advanced. I take it that the advanced player either plays a larger file or utilizes more power from the PC's microprocessor (?). I was also using the Firefox browser. I went a step further and performed a disc clean-up, cleaned the cookies, did a spyware/malware sweep (super-free-antispyware - very-good free software!) and used Internet Explorer as a browser. I'm having no problems now.
If you're on a PC, those are my suggestions ... If you're still having problems, send me an email.
Rob
PS Almost a Scandal was hilarious! Bergman Chasing Ritchie with a sword through his chest is priceless! Nice to see Hank Mann show up in there as well. (apologies for the spoiler to those who haven't seen it yet).
Re: short comedies on EYE
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:27 am
by Joe Moore
Here's links to a few more.
The Troublesome Step-Daughters-1912-Vitagraph- Director: George Baker Cast: John Bunny, Flora Finch, Edith Storey, Norma Talmadge, Clara Kimball Young, Helene Costello, Delores Costello
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... pdaughtersRiley's Decoy-1913-Biograph- Cast: Charlie Murray
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 0s%2CdecoyMrs. 'Enry 'Awkins-1912-Vitagraph- Director: Maurice Costello & Van Dyke Brooks Cast: Maurice Costello, Norma Talmadge, Van Dyke Brooks
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... y%2CawkinsThe Bachelor's Baby-1915-Essanay- Director: G. M. Anderson Cast: "Broncho Billy" Anderson, Marguertite Clayton, Lee Willard
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 20s%2CbabyEnjoy
Joe Moore
Re: short comedies on EYE
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:35 am
by Joe Moore
Here's one I'm having trouble identifying. Maybe one of youse guys can ID it.
It's an Eddie Lyons and Lee Moran Star Comedy done for Universal probably in 1920.
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 269_s01.doBest
Joe Moore
Re: short comedies on EYE
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:26 am
by Joe Moore
A few more.
Somebody's Widow-1918-Strand Comedy- Cast: Billie Rhodes, Cullen Landis, Billy Bevan
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 0s%2CwidowHis Day Out-1918-King Bee Director: Arvid Gilstrom Cast: Billy West, Leatrice Joy, Oliver Hardy
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 255_s01.doBeans For Two-1918-Strand Comedy- Cast: Elinor Field, Harry Depp
http://www.thoughtequity.com/video/clip ... 316_s01.doEnjoy
Joe Moore
Re: short comedies on EYE
Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:39 am
by Steve Massa
Hi Joe
Found a review in the Universal Weelky that i.d.s that Lyons and Moran Star Comedy as SOME SHIMMIERS (1/12/1920). Eddie's girl is played by Mildred Moore (any relation?).