SilentComedyMafia.com

Word has come down that our friend John Bengtson, author of the critically acclaimed film location books Silent Traces (Chaplin), Silent Echoes (Keaton), and Silent Visions (Lloyd) has passed. To say that his contributions to film history have been vital and unparalleled is an understatement of the first order.

On a personal level, I found him to be extraordinarily kind, impossibly generous, and equally brilliant. He was one of the most tenacious and dedicated historians I have had the pleasure to know.

Our last exchange, in which he confirmed the extent of his illness, came via email on April 13 of last year. I share it here as an example of his continuing optimism and genuine thoughtfulness despite his own personal struggle:

Re Venice and Santa Monica Snapshots

Hi Paul – great to hear from you, and thank you for sharing these vintage photos. Truth be told, yes, you did share them before several years ago, but I see this as evidence of your kindness and thoughtfulness.

<snip> If it’s ok to share, it turns out I have a progressive neurological disorder. I can still walk a little, about 300 steps a day inside my place using a rollator walker, but I stopped driving my car in January, and I only go outside now in a powerchair. I also have a heavy lisp. I’m in no pain or discomfort, I can still work at my computer, and I’m trying to stay positive.

Last year I prepared a video essay bonus program for the Flicker Alley Blu-ray release of Laurel & Hardy’s 1928 silent comedies. Flicker didn’t know it at the time, but I used an AI clone of my voice to read the narration (!) Flicker is now working on their 1929 silent comedies, and I have already submitted my scripts and files for this year’s L&H bonus program. Flicker has been so kind and supportive, this time they know we’ll be using a clone.

Thank you once again for reaching out. And in particular, thank you for all you have done to make rare unavailable films accessible to the general public. I love looking for clues in old silent movies, but if it wasn’t for people like you, there would be very little for fans like me to study.

Take care, John
---

Godspeed, Sir.

All Paul G. says is on the mark, John was a remarkable historian with a truly specialized talent to search and spot Silent Comedy film locations. He was also a good, kind individual, a fellow mafiosi and his way of passing is a horrible way to die which he suffered bravely and graciously. I'm glad he is finally at peace.

Godspeed indeed John.

RICHARD M ROBERTS

John was a real-life treasure hunter, with the added bonus that he shared his treasure with us. His then-and-now studies of the real world locations of the silent era were, and are, endlessly fascinating. I'm sorry he's gone, but we can console ourselves knowing he's visiting these sites while all that movie magic is happening.

John had a phenomenal talent at being able to look at modern locations and match it up with films that were made a hundred years ago. It was our good fortune that he shared his findings with us so freely, and so delightfully, in his three books and numerous videos.

He was also a person of extreme modesty and genuine kindness. When Cohen Media took over the Keaton franchise from Kino Lorber he would ask me if his Now & Then features were still included with the new film transfers. He never made a penny off these videos for K-L and as far as I know, he only received screeners for his initial work. (If I’m mistaken about this I’d like to know.) He never expected to get a freebie, either. Rest in peace, dear friend, and thank you.