“Why Silent Film Comedies Are Still Funny”

The era of silent film was one of test, trial and hard headed fortitude. In the first days of film making there was no looking back to see what works. Each film company, director, writer, actor and stunt person made it up as they went and kept at it until it was perfect. Many of the funniest stunts had been worked out for vaudeville acts. Comedians new what audiences liked and looked forward to seeing. Finding a way to display that 2 dimensionally on film was the tricky part. The basic premise of the audience pleasing format had been tested live. It was up to forward thinking actor comedians like Mae West, Moe Howard, Groucho Marx and Buster Keaton to carry that ‘work it until it works’ mentality into films.

That is exactly what they did. Most often there was only one chance to film a scene, the details had to be worked out and no mistakes were afforded. The stunt doubles and cameramen would not have another chance to capture a moment. Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton were both known to rehearse, test and plan out the smallest details of a scene. Its this dedication that still leaves audiences laughing.