The show-at-home market has been both a curse and a blessing to silent film enthusiasts over the years, for this corner of the cinema world has badly dissected, truncated and, at times, outright murdered the products of historic Hollywood. This series presents to you some of the more bizarre manifestations of the home-use industry's influence, while, hopefully, giving you a squint at some films you are not likely to see anywhere else. From complete one-reel dramatic shorts, to serial chapters, to re-edited oddities - it's all here. Every "Thank God!" and "What if?" inspired by the show-at-home market is present here on our newest DVD and, just to keep you interested, we've included a few items that will, no doubt, make you shake your head in disbelief. All of the titles on this disc are new transfers from our own 16mm collection. As a bonus, we have thrown in fragments and excerpts from some fairly obscure features. As always, the films are accompanied by restored musical tracks taken from period recordings - many of them brand-new restorations. By the way, just a warning to those of you who are offended by the mistreatment of animals: "The Lost Messenger" may contain some highly objectionable footage, so please be advised before you buy.

The Set Contents:
The Star Family in Distress (release date unknown); 1 reel; no production credits available. Cast: Lillian Gish, Charlie Chaplin, Gloria Swanson, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Roscoe Arbuckle. Synopsis: Lillian Gish is married to Charlie Chaplin, who has of late become a hard-drinking, cross-dressing lout. Lilly confides in her cousin Glory (Gloria Swanson) who, in turn, enlists her boyfriend (Mr. Fairbanks) to get to the bottom of Charlie's depravity. When Doug discovers that Chaplin has fallen under the foul influence of Roscoe Arbuckle, all hope is given up by the poor and deserted Lilly. In the end, Arbuckle and Chaplin drown together in a sinking rowboat and Lilly goes into mourning.
   This strange collection of clips was assembled some time during the 1920s and represents one of the odder entries amongst the home-use offerings. It used footage from commonly available commercial releases which were strung together (at times awkwardly) by newly made titles. Films used in the compilation of these clips include "The Rounders" and "A Woman" as well as a number of other familiar entries in the silent film catalog.

The Letter from Hollywood (created in 1925 or '26); 1 reel; assembled and edited by Hamilton Ridell and lovingly preserved by the late Harold "Rusty" Casselton. This is a collection of 1925 trailers strung together by narrative cards and presented to the viewer as a "letter from Hollywood to the folks back home" - which, indeed, it appears to have been. A number of silent feature films are represented in this 10-minute short film and much of it may be comprised of alternate takes. Additionally, this title contains the only known footage from the 1925 Carol Dempster/W.C. Fields feature "That Royle Girl."
   The features showcased in this collection are:
"Go West" (Buster Keaton)
"Old Clothes" (Jackie Coogan, Joan Crawford)
"A Son of His Father" (Bessie Love)
"That Royle Girl" (Carol Dempster and W.C. Fields)
"The Vanishing American" (Richard Dix)
"The Road to Yesterday" (Jetta Goudal and Bill Boyd)
"Womanhandled" (Richard Dix)
"A Kiss for Cinderella" (Betty Bronson)
"Her Sister from Paris" (Constance Talmadge and Ronald Coleman)
"The New Commandment" (Blanche Sweet and Ben Lyon)

The Lost Messenger (released 11/6/15; produced by the Selig Polyscope Cº; 1 reel; directed by George O. Nicholls. Cast: Walter Beckwith, Vivian Reed and Earle Foxe. An American circus hunts lions, elephants, leopards and zebras in the heart of Africa. The principal trapper succumbs to jungle fever, leaving his daughter to fend for herself after the expedition strikes camp and leaves them behind. Through a stroke of luck, the circus agent returns in time to rescue the girl and bring about a happy ending. A complete Selig one-reel drama from 1915 with restored/re-created titles. WARNING: Those of you who are sensitive to the mistreatment of animals may want to think twice before watching this film!

The Sea Lion (12/5/21; produced by Hobart Bosworth Productions, Inc.); 3-1/2 reels; directed by Rowland V. Lee. Cast: Hobart Bosworth, Bessie Love and Emory Johnson. This is 28 minutes of the original feature, with a fragmented reel 2 setting up the action that comprises the final three reels. Though not complete, much of the drama and story remain intact and beautifully related. This is a complicated tale of trust and betrayal, but all is revealed and explained in this version, despite the abbreviated nature of the editing and careless loss of footage.

EXTRAS (Various dates of release) We have included reels from the following features (and shorts) to round out this extensive home-use program:
"Conductor 1492" (Johnny Hines); 1 reel
"The World's A Stage" (Dorothy Phillips, Kenneth Harland and Earle Foxe); 4 min.
"A Woman in Grey - serial chapter 7 (abbreviated)" (Arline Pretty and Henry G. Sell); 4 min.

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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Christie Comedies Vol. 1

4 Two-Reelers!
The First Volume in this Series

   Bobby Vernon, Walter Hiers, Billy Dooley and Jimmie Adams are the featured comedians in this new dvd collection. Complete Christie comedies are very hard to find and here are four beauties to kick off this series. All but one title are new transfers from our own 16mm collection. The one video copy (Goofy Ghosts) comes from a very good quality NTSC video copy. As a bonus, we have thrown in reel two from Weak But Willing - a 1926 Walter Hiers title. Hold Everything starring Bobby Vernon and A Moony Mariner with Billy Dooley have replacement inter-titles. All of the shorts have real main, production and end titles. As always, the films are accompanied by restored musical tracks taken from period recordings.

The Set Contents:
Hold Everything (released 9/30/23 Prod. by Christie); 2 reels; directed by Scott Sidney. Cast: Bobby Vernon and Vera Steadman. Bobby breaks up with his girl and winds up in a cab driven by a jewel thief. The criminal forces Bobby to swap clothes, but Vernon manages to make off with the cab (and, unwittingly, the jewels as well). The thief pursues Bobby for the balance of the film. Along the way, we meet Vera Steadman and a host of elderly ladies she visits as an angel of mercy. A very funny short that ends with a lake-draining scene a la the Sennett short "A Muddy Romance." This is a new transfer from a print in our own collection and the visual quality is exceptional. All of the main titles and end title are original. The inter-titles have been recreated from the action. This short runs about 15min and is as complete as it is ever likely to be.

Wireless Lizzie (released 3/7/26 Prod. by Christie); 2 reels; directed by Earle Rodney. Cast: Walter Hiers, Duanne Thompson, Jack Duffy and William Irving. Walter is an electronics inventor who devises "wireless" controls for everything in his possession - including his Model T. He is in love with Jack Duffy's daughter and conspires to elope with her. Unfortunately, his rival (William Irving)has other plans and hijacks the remote controls for Walter's car. This new digital transfer comes from a print in our collection and is sharp as a tack. It features original titles and tags from beginning to end.

A Moony Mariner (released 9/24/27 Prod. by Christie; 2 reel2; directed by William Watson. Cast: Billy Dooley, Vera Steadman, Billy Engle and Blanche Payson. Billy Engle is a rocket scientist who has invented a new dynamite-powered moon rocket. He intends to launch the machine using a condemned killer as a pilot - the murderer having been given the option to face either the electric chair or this near-certain suicide mission. When the state executes the man, Engle is left without a pilot - enter Billy. In exchange for the hand of the scientist's daughter (Vera Steadman), Dooley agrees to pilot the rocket to the moon. Needless to say, our hero gets nowhere near outer space and winds up, instead, crashing through the roof of a Turkish spa. Of course, he thinks he is on the moon and in the company of moon men. This is a new 16mm transfer and is razor sharp. The main titles, production titles and end tags are all real. The inter-titles have been recreated from the action.

Goofy Ghosts (4/28/28 Prod. by Christie); 2 reels; directed by Harold Beaudine. Cast: Jimmie Adams, Loraine MacLean, Billy Engle, Eddie Baker, Curtis "Snowball" McHenry and "Buddy" the Wonderdog. Slapstick in an old dark house with Jimmie and his wife vacationing at "Uncle's" house (Billy Engle). Unfortunately, Engle is being blackmailed by "The Skull" - a terrifying criminal who runs around in a skeleton suit. The prize sought by the would-be spectre is a wad of cash stashed in Engle's safe. This is the only video transfer on the disc, but is very good quality. The titles all original.

Weak But Willing(Reel 2 only) (1/3/26 Prod. by Christie); 1 reel; directed by Archie Mayo. Cast: Walter Hiers, William Irving and Jack Duffy. In order to join the "Ancient Order of Goats," Walter must pass an initiation rite. In the process he finds himself at odds with the police, skeletons and gravity in a high and dizzy end sequence. A very obscure film, but very nice 16mm source material.

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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Snub and Marie Vol. 4

Sex, Lies and 9.5mm
The Fourth Volume in this Series

   Snub Pollard and Marie Mosquini are back in this new release. As the subtitle implies, some of the material comes from small gauge prints, but the quality is very high - if we do say so ourselves. Actually, only two of the transfers come from 9.5mm gauge prints and all but one title are brand new, first generation digital copies from prints in the hands of private collectors. As always, the films are accompanied by restored musical tracks taken from period recordings.

The Set Contents:
Back to the Woods (released 11/18 by Rolin-Pathé); 1 reel; directed by Hal E. Roach. Cast: Harold Lloyd, Snub Pollard, Bebe Daniels, Bud Jamison and Marie Mosquini. Harold and Snub are would-be hunters in the wild American frontier. Harold falls for Bebe, much to Bud Jamison's chagrin, and Snub is ... well, Snub. Look for Marie as the flirtatious squaw. This print comes from an off-air NTSC video copy. All of the titles and inter-titles have been restored or recreated and the film bears the 1919 season Pathé tags. "Back to the Woods" has not been shown in a form this close to the original content in many years.

All Lit Up (released 2/1/20 by Rolin-Pathé); 1 reel; directed by Fred C. Newmeyer. Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Noah Young, Sunshine Sammy Morrison and Eddie Boland. Marie is the wife of a tempermental (perhaps, just mental) painter played by Noah Young. Snub is a butterfly collector who winds up in the wrong place at the wrong time. The plot will be familiar to fans of Laurel and Hardy as being quite similar to that of the short "The Fixer-Uppers." This new digital transfer comes from a print in our collection and is sharp as a tack. It features original titles and tags.

Fresh Paint (3/7/20 by Rolin-Pathé; 1 reel; directed by Charley Chase and Alf Goulding. Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Noah Young, Eddie Boland and Sammy Brooks. Another, ahem, art film featuring jealous husbands and terrible consequences. Snub is a bicycle messenger who winds up posing as a portrait artist. Marie is his married subject. Noah supplies the "for better, for worse" element to the plot. This print is a new 16mm transfer.

Shake 'Em Up (12/18/21 by Rolin-Pathé); 1 reel; directed by Charley Chase. Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Leo Willis and Sammy Brooks. Marie plays Senorita Teresa Tamale, a beautiful, south-of-the-border spy, and Snub is the American secret agent sent to free her. Leo Willis is the corrupt thug who holds Marie prisoner. Earthquakes and firing squads provide a splendid backdrop for this fine romantic comedy. This is the first of two 9.5mm transfers in the collection. The titles have been restored or re-created based upon translations by Ali Stevenson from the original French cards.

Stage Struck (2/12/22 by Rolin-Pathé); 1 reel; directed by William H. Watson. Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Noah Young and Sammy Brooks. Snub is a Stage Door Johnnie who pursues Marie into the the flea pit of a theater where she works. When the male lead quits, Snub is pressed into service as the featured player in a great Civil War drama. The disgruntled actor returns to the theater with vengeance in his heart and fireworks under his arm. You can probably guess the rest. This is the second of our 9.5mm presentations and, again, the titles have been restored or recreated based upon translations by Ali Stevenson from the original French cards. "Stage Struck" - like "Shake 'Em Up" - has been restored to a form that is very close to its original content.

Jack Frost (Reel 1 only) (7/22/23 by Roach-Pathé); 1 reel; directed by Charley Chase. Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Noah Young and James Finlayson. Noah Young runs a farm and the general store. Snub is the unfortunate instrument of Noah's will and must get up early to engineer the operation of both businesses. The hand of Noah's daughter (played by Marie) is apparently the prize for a job well done. Mr. Finlayson appears upon the scene just before the reel change as a stranger from the city. We can only imagine the havoc he creates between Snub and Marie as reel 2 is sadly missing. A very obscure film, but nice 16mm source material with blue tints.

It's A Gift (10/14/23 by Roach-Pathé); 1 reel; directed by Hugh Fay. Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, William Gillespie, Wallace Howe and Mark Jones. The quintessential Snub Pollard film, "It's a Gift" features some wonderful Rube Goldberg-like devices with Snub as their eccentric inventor. This is the film with which Pollard is most readily identified. It is presented here with original titles in a new composite transfer of our best 16mm prints (we own three).

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)



Corsair
Starring: Thelma Todd and Chester Morris
The Second Edition in our Thelma Todd Signature Series

   Roland West's "Corsair" has circulated among video and DVD collectors for some time, but always in a very beat up, second, or even third, generation video copy. This is a brand new transfer from our own 16mm print. We have also taken the liberty of fixng as many of the sound-sync problems that seem to plague this film. Due to the length of the picture and the capacity of the DVDs, we have limited the content to the film alone in an effort to maximize the image quality.
   West changed Thelma Todd's name to Alison Lloyd for this film, apparently owing to the numerological superiority of the new moniker. According to some sources, he also felt that her real name was too closely associated with low comedy. Regardless, she looks the same and West gives her lots of breathless closeups.
   All of your favorite Roland West elements are present in this film: darkly lit sets, terse dialog worthy of Ed Wood and bizarre characters like the hideously repulsive human being known in this film as "Fish Face."

Cast: Chester Morris ... John Hawks
Thelma Todd ... Alison Corning (as Alison Loyd)
Fred Kohler ... Big John
Ned Sparks ... Slim
Emmett Corrigan ... Stephen Corning
William Austin ... Richard Bentinck
Frank McHugh ... 'Chub' Hopping
Frank Rice ... Fish Face
Mayo Methot ... Sophie
Gay Seabrook ... Susie Grenoble
Addie McPhail ... Jean Phillips
Al Hill
Pat Hartigan
Sidney D'Albrook

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)



The Larger World of Laurel & Hardy Volume 7
              
Starring: Laurel & Hardy, Mae Busch, Billy West, Larry Semon, Billy Gilbert
and many more of your favorites

Plus!A new montage featuring Stan fitting Babe for a suit in London from the 1947 tour

   Our latest offering in this series features three Oliver Hardy solo films, a Mae Busch Keystone short, an unidentified Billy Gilbert sound one-reeler and a special look at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Hal Roach Studios.Cupid's Rival teams Babe with Billy West, while Larry Semon plays opposite Mr. Hardy in Her Boyfriend. An early Plump and Runt short The Battle Royal completes the Hardy trifecta. Merely A Married Man stars Mae Busch in an early role at Mack Sennett's laugh factory. Billy Gilbert is the king of a hobo jungle and sings the Charley Chase tune When the Band Around Your Hat Plays Home Sweet Home in our mystery short - we know almost nothing about this piece of film's origin. Our look at the Roach Studios' 20th birthday celebration (held on Dec. 6th, 1933) features photos, music and narration.
    All of these films have been newly transfered from 16mm prints. Restored "electric" and acoustic tracks have been added to the silent material - which constitutes just about two-thirds of everything on the disc.

The Set Contents:

Cupid's Rival (released 07/01/17 by King Bee Films Corporation - states' rights release); directed by Arvid E. Gilstrom; Cast: Billy West, Babe Hardy, Ethel Burton, Leo White, Budd Ross, Ethlyn Gibson, Joe Cohen and Florence McLoughlin. Another Billy West comedy which finds the Chaplin imitator amid the troubles of a pair of artists in a luxury apartment building. West plays a lowly servant of the residents - which should come as a big surprise to students of Billy West comedies. Babe Hardy is a struggling artist who is desperately trying to keep from getting evicted. A fairly good entry in the series. This short was filmed in Jacksonville, Florida.

Her Boyfriend (released 09/28/25 by Chadwick Pictures Corp. through Educational Film Exchanges); directed by Larry Semon an Noel M. Smith. Cast: Larry Semon, Dorothy Dwan, Oliver Hardy, Frank Alexander, Fred Spencer, Alma Bennett, Spencer Bell and Bill Hauber. Larry is a detective out to nab "Killer Kid" (Oliver Hardy)and his ring of thieves and bootleggers. In the process, Larry tries to rescue (and win the affections of) Iva method (Dorothy Dwan), a local reporter hot on the trail of the villainous ring. There are some good laughs in this one-reel show-at-home version. Our print is a stunning old Kodascope.

The Battle Royal. (04/13/16 by Vim Comedies - General Film Company; Plump and Runt series; Directed by Will Louis; Cast: Oliver Hardy, Billy Ruge, Elsie McLeod, Billy Bletcher and Will Louis. The Plumps and the Runts have been feuding for years. Romance breaks out however across battle lines and the feud intensifies. Ultimately, young love fails to unite the two families. This is accomplished only when revenuers show up to confiscate illegal whiskey stills and the families must fend off the forces of law and order together. A new transfer of a 16mm print struck in the 1950s.

Merely A Married Man (06/02/15 Keystone-Mutual); Directed by Charles Avery. Cast: Mae Busch, Harry McCoy and Dave Murray. Mae goes out or a drive and her mother puts Mae's husband to work around the house. A comedy of errors ensues involving the breakdown of Mae's Model T and the shenanigans of a local tramp who's been recruited by the long-suffering husband to complete the household chores.

Unidentified Billy Gilbert Short (filmed in 193? by ? for general release as ?); A ten minute musical comedy short featuring Billy Gilbert presiding over a meal and entertainment in a hobo jungle. sings the Charley Chase tune When the Band Around Your Hat Plays Home Sweet Home and kills off his fellow singers one by one as they butcher the tune. Virtually nothing is known of this reel. Transfered from our 16mm print.

The Roach Studios' 20th Anniversary Party (newly assembled by Looser Than Loose); Music with narration by Dave Stevenson. Comprised of photos from the event which was held on December 6th, 1933 to mark Hal Roach's 20 years as a producer of films. Text from newspaper coverage is read and luminaries featured include: Hal Roach, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Thelma Todd, Patsy Kelly, Jean Harlow (and her Mother), Lew Ayres, Ginger Rogers, Harold Lloyd, Will Rogers, Groucho Marx, Raymond Griffith, Polly Moran and others.

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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All Steamed Up! Volume 1

              
Starring: Laurel & Hardy, Andy Clyde, Helen Holmes and Jack Cooper

And an all-new montage with restored theatre organ score

   For those of you who like your vintage film steamed (as opposed to fried I suppose), we present the first volume of our "All Steamed Up" series. Contained in this edition is a mixture of silent comedies, home movies, newsreels and industrial strength promotional films. Our luminaries and clowns are comprised in part by Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Andy Clyde, Helen Holmes - in an episode of the Kalem serial The Hazards of Helen - and Jack Cooper in Danger Ahead from the Weiss Brothers' notorious Hairbreadth Harry series. Additional titles on this disc include a profile of the Bessler Corporation, whose steam-powered innovations extended to automobiles, trains and even aeronautics! Plus, color footage of the last rope-drive Corliss engine to operate in the United States, a 1912 Rice and Sargent 1500 HP compound. This material was shot and recorded by my dad, Jim Stevenson, in 1976 just days before the scrapman's sledgehammer stilled her forever. In the opening montage we have included a number of unique stills, photographs, home movies and silent comedy film clips featuring British and American engines, locomotives, traction engines, steamboats and more. The soundtrack for this montage is a restored theatre organ piece in which the organist recreates a British steam locomotive leaving the station and coming up to speed - listen carefully, as he even opens the drains before the throttle.
   Our films have been taken from 16mm prints (except the Corliss footage, which was shot in 8mm). Restored "electric" tracks have been added to the silent material - which constitutes just about two-thirds of everything on the disc.

The Set Contents:

Danger Ahead (released 10/8/26 by Weiss Brothers-Artclass); directed by Perc. Pembroke & Supervised by Billy West. Cast: Earl McCarthy, Charlotte Merriam, Jack Cooper and Max Asher. A typical entry in the Hairbreadth Harry series with Relentless Rudolph (Jack Cooper) pursuing the prerequisite loot and tossing the young lovers who possess it into the jaws of death at every turn. Needless to say, he is foiled at every, ahem, crossing. CURSES! Lots of material filmed with Union Pacific equipment.

The Hazards of Helen - The Wild Engine (released 5/8/15 by the Kalem Company); directed by J.P. McGowan. Stars Helen Holmes as the intrepid telegraph operator who risks life and limb to prevent a runaway train from colliding with a Sunday excursion special. This film was shot using locomotives and rolling stock from the S.P. L.A. & S.L. (San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake) Railroad.

Laurel and Hardy at the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. The Boys inaugurate the reopening of the line to Dungeness in 1947. This footage, presented in its entirety, is part of the opening montage. The source is first generation video.

Bessler Corporation Promotional Reel (approx. 1937); silent with added music track. This is a fabulous look at the innovative steam technologies developed by the Bessler Corp. as applied to a variety of vehicles. This includes a steam car, a locomotive and even a practical steam airplane. Though little is discussed about the nature of the boiler, it must have used an interesting flash technology.

The 1912 Rice and Sargent Corliss of Tyre Rubber (shot and recorded by Jim Stevenson; 1976); a five-and-a-half-minute look at the last rope-drive steam engine to operate in the United States. This 1500HP compound engine was a sight to behold.

The Cannonball (released 12/6/31 by Mack Sennett/Educational); directed by Del Lord & Mack Sennett. Cast: Andy Clyde, Irene Thompson, Lewis Sargent and Vernon Dent. Andy's primitive steam locomotive must compete with a new bus line for the local commuter trade. A stray buzz bomb provides a rocket boost to the ancient steam engine and wins the day for our old friend Mr. Clyde. Note: this is reel two only. It is a silent, Dutch language version of a sound two-reeler, but plays pretty well with an added music track. Some printing and framing defects in the source material are present.

Additional bonus material includes unique photos of steam engines, locomotives, traction engines, steamboats and more....

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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A Looser Than Loose Sampler

With All New Piano Scores by Jeff Rapsis

              
Starring: Lloyd Hamilton and Snub Pollard

And an all-new glass slide show with a restored theatre organ score

   We have made new transfers of four very popular shorts and added newly recorded piano scores by accompanist Jeff Rapsis. The shorts come from our Lloyd Hamilton set and Snub Pollard series. There is about an hour and ten minutes of material on the disc (including the glass slide show) and we wholeheartedly invite you to sample these titles with their new tracks. Looser Than Loose is heading in a slightly different direction in terms of original content, and this disc represents the departure point. In the coming months we will be incorporating a significant quantity of unique material in our restorations. Newly recorded music, commentaries and home-grown documentary presentations are all in the works.
   The four shorts presented on this "sampler" DVD come from two of our most requested silent comedy figures: Lloyd Hamilton and Snub Pollard. "Ham" stars in the Educational two-reelers "Nobody's Business" and "Careful Please," while Snub entertains us in the one-reel subjects "Punch The Clock" and "At The Ringside." Both stars appear alongside the supporting casts we all have come to regard with enduring affection. "Ham" is beset by the menacing Dick Sutherland, while Snub is forced to deal with an equally unattractive heel called Noah Young while competing for the hand of the lovely Marie Mosquini.
   Our glass slide show is comprised of coming attractions featuring comedy legends like Roscoe Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, Al St. John, James Finlayson, and Thelma Todd. Many of the restored images in this slide show have been exhibited in such places as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and at silent film conventions around the country.


The Set Contents:

Careful Please (Educational Film Exchanges 2/7/26); Dir. Norman Taurog; Cast: Lloyd Hamilton, Dick Sutherland, Marcella Daly, Louise Carver, Stanley Blystone, Glen Cavender and Theodore Lorch. 2 reels; silent with piano track
Nobody's Business (Educational Film Exchanges 4/4/26); Dir. Norman Taurog; Cast: Lloyd Hamilton, Dick Sutherland, Eddie Boland and Stanley Blystone. 2 reels; silent with piano track
Punch the Clock (Roach-Pathé 6/24/22); Dir. William Beaudine; Cast: Harry "Snub" Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Eddie Baker, William Gillespie, Wallace Howe, Mark Jones and George Rowe. 1 reel; silent with piano track
At the Ringside (Roach-Pathé 7/17/21); Dir. Charley Chase; Cast: Harry "Snub" Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Noah Young and "Sunshine" Sammy Morrison. 1 reel; silent with piano track
Glass Slide Show (various producers 1915-1928); Coming Attraction slides as your grandparents (or perhaps great-grandparents) saw them. Stars include Roscoe Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, Al St. John, James Finlayson, and Thelma Todd. Approximately 7 minutes; silent with restored theatre organ track - mechanical movement of the original glass slide projector duplicated digitally

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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RKO Selected Shorts Vol. II

"Our Man Edgar"

              
Starring: Edgar Kennedy, Florence Lake, Jack Rice, Dot Farley, Franklin Pangborn and Arthur Housman

A Tribute to the Master of the Slow Burn

   This disc features the work of veteran comic actor Edgar Kennedy. Here we present four shorts characterized by the incomparable timing and inimitable reaction of Mr. Kennedy. Excellent ensemble casts featuring the likes of Florence Lake, Dot Farley, Jack Rice, Arthur Housman, Pert Kelton and Franklin Pangborn make these two-reel adventures just that much more fun.
   The four shorts presented on Volume II of our RKO shorts series have come, largely, from new transfers of 16mm prints. "Next Door Neighbors" is an exception to this standard, but the quality is still quite good (first generation video). We hope, as always, that our quality meets with your approval!


The Set Contents:

Next Door Neighbors (RKO-Pathé [Melody Comedies] 1/28/31); Dir. Harry Sweet; Cast: Edgar Kennedy, Arthur Housman, Franklin Pangborn, Pert Kelton, Mabel Forrest and Georgie Billings. 2 reels; sound
Wrong Direction (RKO 5/18/34); Dir. Alf Goulding; Cast: Edgar Kennedy, Florence Lake, Dot Farley, William Eugene, Nat Carr and Jean Fontaine. 2 reels; sound
Gasaloons (RKO 1/3/36); Dir. Arthur Ripley; Cast: Edgar Kennedy, Florence Lake, Jack Rice, Dot Farley and Dickie Jones. 2 reels; sound
Contest Crazy (RKO 10/1/48); Dir. Hal Yates; Cast: Edgar Kennedy, Florence Lake, Dot Farley and Jack Rice. 2 reels; sound

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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The Larger World of Laurel and Hardy Vol. 6

"In Like Fin"

              
Starring: James Finlayson, Clyde Cook and the Lovely Fay Wray

also featuring the writing and direction of Stan Laurel

   In our first tribute to veteran character actor and Roach Stock Company favorite Jimmy Finlayson, we've put together a six-film program that highlights his work at that studio during the 1925 and '26 seasons. For good measure, a 1923 Snub Pollard one-reeler featuring Fin in a prominent supporting role has also been included. Rounding out the acting talent in these shorts are, among many others, Martha Sleeper, William Gillespie, Helen Gilmore, Katherine Grant, Billy Engel, Tyler Brooke, George Rowe, Anita Garvin and Noah Young. Even Stan appears in a cameo role at the end of "What's the World Coming To?"
   The six shorts on Volume 6 of "The Larger World..." offer a healthy dose of one-eyebrowed, Scottish disapproval from a much admired Laurel and Hardy costar. Here he is at the top of his game as star, costar and superior foil just a few years prior to his unforgettable performances opposite the Boys. Jimmy Finlayson possessed an eccentric form of comedic genius that must be experienced to be understood and, even then, it cannot be explained. He was, and is, inimitable.
   In as much as this disc revels in eye squints and double takes, it also features some fine work by Australian comedian Clyde Cook and some very early appearances by King Kong's girlfriend, Fay Wray.
   Cook is the star of two shorts in this collection ("What's The World Coming To?"; "Moonlight and Noses") and demonstrates a comedic skill that he honed during his work under the direction of people like Slim Summerville in Sunshine Comedies made for Fox Film Corp. Cook is an adequate, and at time downright funny, comic actor. Of course, working under Stan Laurel's direction and/or influence can't hurt.
   Fay Wray appears in three of the six shorts on this disc ("Sure Mike"; "Chasing the Chaser"; "Moonlight and Noses") and is, unfortunately, seen little more than briefly. Of the three titles here, "Moonlight and Noses" offered her most prominent role, but as only reel 1 appears to have turned up, we can't know for sure the extent of her involvement with the plot. Suffice it to say that she plays the romantic lead.
Some Incidental Notes:    The plot to "Moonlight and Noses" should be of interest to L&H fans as the basic elements were later reworked into "Habeas Corpus." In this instance, however, Clyde Cook is in the "Stan" role and Noah Young is the "Ollie" counterpart.
   Our copy of "What's The World Coming To?" has been re-edited from two sources. The first (although the lesser in terms of actual footage/ screen time) is a second-generation video copy - it doesn't look bad, folks. The second is a brand new transfer of a 16mm print. Unfortunately, back in the 1950s, our friends at Regent Pictures had an annoying habit of paring 800-foot two-reel comedies down into 400- or 600-foot "digests." Our 16mm copy of "What's The World Coming To?" is one of these 600-foot versions. Accordingly, we had to fill in the blanks with a video copy. The resulting compilation is substantially complete and has original titles. It is, in fact, as complete as we have ever seen it. In an effort to lessen the severity of the changes between sources, we have digitally "tinted" the film with an amber color. It is a bit easier on the eyes when the transitions occur.
   All of the other titles on this print are 16mm transfers. The overall visual quality is very good to excellent. The music tracks on this disc are restored acoustic (one title) and electric process 78 rpm recordings. The electric stuff this time around is ALL NEW and sounds fabulous - if we do say so ourselves.

The Set Contents:

Fully Insured (Roach-Pathé 12/16/23); Dir. George Jeske; Cast: Snub Pollard, Jimmy Finlayson, George Rowe, William Gillespie, Billy Engle and Blanche Mehaffey. 1 reel; silent with remastered acoustic track
Sure Mike (Roach-Pathé 5/24/25); Dir. Fred Guiol; Cast: Martha Sleeper, James Finlayson, William Gillespie, Marjorie Whiteis and Fay Wray. 1 reel; silent with remastered electric track
In The Grease (Roach-Pathé 6/21/25); Dir. J.A. Howe; Cast: James Finlayson and Anita Garvin. 1 reel; silent with remastered electric track
Chasing The Chaser (Roach-Pathé 7/05/25); Dir. Stan Laurel; Cast: James Finlayson, William Gillespie, Sammy Brooks, Helen Gilmore, Jules Mendel, George Rowe, Marjorie Whiteis and Fay Wray. 1 reel; silent with remastered electric track
What's The World Coming To? (Roach-Pathé 1/17/26); Dir. Richard Wallace; Cast: Clyde Cook, James Finlayson, Katherine Grant, Martha Sleeper, Helen Gilmore and Laura De Cardi. Stan Laurel gets a writing credit. 2 reels; silent with remastered electric track

Bonus Item
Moonlight and Noses (Roach-Pathé 10/04/25); Dir. Stan Laurel and F. Richard Jones; Cast: Clyde Cook, Noah Young, James Finlayson, Tyler Brooke and Fay Wray. Reel 1 only; silent with remastered electric track

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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Sennett Volume 3

An Evening with the Smith Family

              & friends

Starring: Raymond McKee, Ruth Hiatt & Mary Ann Jackson

   In this collection of films, the Sennett Studios gives us its take on the domestic comedy. The bulk of the material comes from the "Smith Family" series, which chronicled the misadventures of Jimmy Smith (Ray McKee), his wife Mabel (Ruth Hiatt) and their daughter Bubbles (Mary Ann Jackson). True to pure Sennett form, the humor is far from light or subtle - as you might well expect from other excursions into family adventures undertaken by the Sennett Studio's contemporaries. Here, bathing suits are ripped off the backs of young women, cars are demolished, mothers-in-law spit gasoline on lit stoves and elephants chase children through the streets of Los Angeles. Ray McKee provides the skilled comedy and is backed by a talented supporting cast including familiar faces like Andy Clyde, Louise Carver, Jack Cooper, Mildred June, Sunshine Hart and Irving Bacon. The very attractive Ruth Hiatt is McKee's domestic foil and straight-woman. Mary Ann Jackson provides additional laughter with both completely natural reactions and staged takes. The four Smith Family comedies contained on this DVD are presented in various stages of preservation. "Smith's Picnic" is the complete two-reel foreign (German) release. Accordingly, it contains material that would have been edited out of most domestic copies by censorship boards. Mildred June seems to be the target of the most risqué material as she is dumped into a wash basin wearing just a teddy in one scene and has her bathing suit completely ripped off by Smith's fishing line in another. "Smith's Candy Shop," "Smith's Farm Days," and "Smith's Fishing Trip" are all either digest prints or extracts. They range in length from approximately five minutes and forty-five seconds to seven minutes and forty-five seconds. All are newly mastered from 16mm prints and the quality of the image is very nice.
    Rounding out this look at the Sennett interpretation of all things domestic is the 1914 Keystone comedy "Mabel's Married Life," starring Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand. The supporting cast includes: Mack Swain, Charlie Murray, Hank Mann and Al St. John. Finally, we have included a 1930 sound comedy starring Marjorie Beebe called "He Trumped Her Ace." This is a slower-paced Sennett two-reeler which centers around a pair of newlyweds and their considerable troubles with the concept of partnership in the game of bridge. There is a good supporting cast which includes folks like Bud Jamison and Dot Farley. Both of these transfers were made from 16mm prints.
   The music tracks on this disc are restored acoustic and electric process 78 rpm recordings.
The Set Contents:

Smith's Picnic (Sennett-Pathé 12/12/26); Dir. Alf Goulding; Cast: Ray McKee, Ruth Hiatt, Mary Ann Jackson, Sunshine Hart, Irving Bacon and Mildred June

Smith's Farm Days (Sennett-Pathé 3/04/28); Dir. Phil Whitman; Cast: Ray McKee, Ruth Hiatt, Mary Ann Jackson, Andy Clyde, Jack Cooper and Paralee Coleman
This is an excerpt (~5:45)

Smith's Fishing Trip (Sennett-Pathé 5/29/27); Dir. Alf Goulding; Cast: Ray McKee, Ruth Hiatt, Mary Ann Jackson, Andy Clyde and Barbara Tennant
This is an excerpt (~6:42)

Smith's Candy Shop (Sennett-Pathé 8/21/27); Dir. Alf Goulding; Cast: Ray McKee, Ruth Hiatt, Mary Ann Jackson and Andy Clyde
This is a digest print (~7:45)

Mabel's Married Life (Keystone 6/20/14); Dir. Charles Chaplin; Cast: Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand, Mack Swain, Eva Nelson, Charlie Murray, Hank Mann and Al St. John

He Trumped Her Ace (Sennett-Educational 3/23/30); Dir. Leslie Pearce; Cast: Marjorie Beebe, Johnny Burke, Kenneth Thomson, Dot Farley, Bud Jamison, Rosemary Theby and Lew Kelly

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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Snub and Marie's

Tales of Courtship, Love & Ruin

One and Two-Reel Comedies Starring
Snub Pollard and Marie Mosquini

   Here's another entry in our popular Snub and Marie series for your entertainment and approval. Five shorts are featured on this disc and every one is a proven Hal Roach Studios winner. Besides Snub and Marie, you will find supporting regulars like Noah Young, Jimmy Finlayson, George Rowe and William Gillespie. Of course, the brilliant Roach intertitling weaves a terrific thread through the plots. On another pleasant note, two of the shorts in this collection ("The Dumb-Bell" and "The Courtship of Miles Sandwich") were directed by Charley Chase.
   All of the films included on this disc have been newly mastered from 16mm prints. "The Dumb-Bell" has actually been re-edited from two individual 16mm prints in order to produce a complete version with all original titles. On the other side of the coin, "California or Bust" is something of a digest print with about four minutes missing at the end of reel two, but it is otherwise complete and tells the whole story as carried in the original plot - it's also a very funny entry in the series. "Some Baby," "The Walkout" and "The Courtship of Miles Sandwich" are all complete and in very, very nice shape. This disc makes an excellent addition to our Snub and Marie Collection and we promise not to wait so long to bring out the next volume. The music tracks on this disc are restored acoustic process 78 rpm recordings.
The Set Contents:

Some Baby (Roach-Pathé 6/25/22); Dir. Ralph Cedar; Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, George Rowe and Noah Young
The Dumb-Bell (Roach-Pathé 7/16/22); Dir. Charley Chase; Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Sammy Brooks, William B. Davidson, William Gillespie, Wallace Howe, George Rowe, Lincoln Stedman, Charles Stevenson and Noah Young
California or Bust (Roach-Pathé 4/29/23); Dir. Craig Hutchinson; Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Jimmy Finlayson and William Gillespie
The Courtship of Miles Sandwich (Roach-Pathé 6/24/23); Dir. Charley Chase; Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Jimmy Finlayson and Noah Young
The Walkout (Roach-Pathé 9/16/23); Dir. George Jeske; Cast: Snub Pollard, Marie Mosquini, Jimmy Finlayson and Noah Young

This disc sells for $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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Roach, Volume 1

The Brothers Parrott

One and Two-Reel Comedies Starring
Paul Parrott
and Charley Chase

   We are proud to kick off our Hal Roach Studios disc series with a four-DVD set of Charley Chase and Paul Parrott comedies. There are 26 one- and two-reel shorts to be found here, some of which have proven elusive to collectors over the years. All have been newly mastered from 16mm prints with the exception of "Publicity Pays," which came from a decent video source. In some cases the quality is unmatched by anything yet offered, such as in the case of "Mighty Like A Moose" which was transferred from a 1932 Kodascope print. Likewise, reel 1 of "Mama Behave" comes from another Kodascope print of similar vintage. Both of these are of stunning visual quality - if we do say so ourselves. The music tracks are restored 78 rpm recordings. The one-reel comedies have tracks originally recorded using the accoustical process and the two-reelers have electrical process scores. As an extra feature we have included five restored electric dance tunes (used in the soundtracks) as stand-alone recordings with band and date credits.
   Jimmy (Paul) Parrott and Charley Chase were among the most influential figures at the Hal Roach Studios over the span of some fifteen years. They worked as writers, directors, comedians and gag men. Their silent comedies are among the most enjoyable of those produced in the 1920s by any studio. This collection represents a wide cross-section of their work, including some of the films in which they directed each other. Some of the other familiar Roach Studios faces that appear from time to time belong to such old friends as "Sunshine" Sammy Morrison, George Rowe, Mark Jones, Vivien Oakland, Katherine Grant, Snub Pollard, Noah Young and Syd Crossley among many, many others.

The Set Contents:

Paul Parrott One-Reel Roach-Pathé Comedies

Disc 1
Take Next Car (7/30/22)
The Golf Bug (10/29/22)
Harvest Hands (11/19/22)
Tight Shoes (2/25/23)
Between Meals (1/3/26)
The Uncovered Wagon (7/8/23)
Take The Air (9/9/23)

Disc 2
Friday The 13th (7/2/22)
The Sleuth (7/16/22)
Join The Circus (12/2/23)
Get Busy (4/27/24)
Are Parents Pickles? (11/8/25)
Don't Butt In (1/17/26)
Soft Pedal (1/31/26)

Jimmy Jump One-Reel Roach-Pathé Comedies and
Two-Reel comedies Starring Charley Chase

Disc 3
Powder and Smoke (2/10/24)
Jeffries Jr. (7/6/24)
Outdoor Pajamas (9/14/24)
The Rat's Knuckles (1/4/25)
Hello Baby (1/28/25)
Should Husbands Be Watched (3/14/25)
A Ten Minute Egg (7/20/25)

Disc 4
At First Sight [nearly complete fragment] (1/6/24) Publicity Pays (5/3/24)
Young Oldfield (6/22/24)
Mama Behave (2/26/26)
Mighty Like A Moose (7/18/26)
Extras: Restored 1920s Dance Music

Just $55.00 (+$5.00 s/h)

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Sennett, Volume 2

   As with the first DVD in this series, we bring you another group of shorts that represent a broad cross section of Sennett's comedic legacy. Included on this disc are such figures as Alice Howell, Al St. John, Roscoe Arbuckle, Kate Price, Charley Chase, Mae Busch, Raymond McKee, Ruth Hiatt, Mary Ann Jackson, Franklin Pangborn and Dorothy Granger. In all there are four silents and one talkie spanning some eighteen years of output. All of these titles have been newly remastered from 16mm prints. Silent film scores have been created from period music recordings (newly restored using an improved digital process).

The Titles:

Shot in the Excitement (Keystone-Mutual; released 10-26-14); Dir. Dell Henderson; with Alice Howell, Al St. John, Chester Conklin, Charley Chase, Eddie Cline
Love in Armor (Keystone-Mutual; released 3-11-15); Dir. Nick Cogley; with Charley Chase, Mae Busch, Max Davidson, Cecile Arnold, Fritz Schade, Alma Bennett, Frank Opperman, Billie Brockwell
The Waiters’ Ball (Keystone-Triangle; released 6-6-16); Dir. Roscoe Arbuckle; with Roscoe Arbuckle, Al St. John, Kate Price, Alice Lake and Corinne Parquet
Smith’s Visitor (Sennett-Pathé; released 10-17-26); Dir. Gil Pratt; with Ray McKee, Ruth Hiatt and Mary Ann Jackson
The Candid Camera (Sennett-Educational; released 6-19-32); Dir. Leslie Pearce; with Franklin Pangborn, Dorothy Granger, Harry Bowen, Cecil Cunningham, Bud Jamison, Toby Wing, George Gray, Tom Dempsey, Jack Richardson

Just $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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Selected RKO Shorts

   In this double-disc set you will find six of the more obscure RKO two-reel sound shorts. The stars include Ruth Etting, Tom Kennedy, Edgar Kennedy, Leon Errol, Betty Grable and The Blondes and the Red Heads (June Brewster and Carol Tevis). Also along for the ride are familiar supporting players such as Jack Rice, Dot Farley, Grady Sutton, Florence Lake, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, Billy Bletcher, Jack Norton and Fred Kelsey (among many others). These are all brand new 16mm transfers from excellent quality prints. Note: “The Undie World” is slightly softer in focus than the other materials.

The Titles:

Melody in May (RKO; released 5-1-36); Dir. Ben Holmes; with Ruth Etting, Frank Coghlin, Jr., Margaret Armstrong, Joan Sheldon, Kenneth Howell, Robert Meredith
Cracked Shots (RKO; released 5-4-34); Dir. George Stevens; with Tom Kennedy, Will Stanton, Helen Starr, Nat Carr, Billy Bletcher
Fixing a Stew (RKO; released 2-11-34); Dir. Al Boasberg; with Leon Errol, Jack Norton, Eddie Kane, Lew Kelly, Dot Farley, Pearl Eaton
A Quiet Fourth (RKO; released 8-9-35); Dir. Fred Guiol; with Betty Grable, Edgar Dearing, Jack Rice, Margaret Armstrong
The Undie World (RKO; released 4-4-34); Dir. George Stevens; with June Brewster, Carol Tevis, Grady Sutton, Guinn “Big Boy” Williams, Will Stanton
Quiet Please (RKO; released 8-11-33); Dir. George Stevens; with Edgar Kennedy, Florence Lake, Dot Farley, William Eugene, Charles Dow Clark, Al Hill, Fred Kelsey

Just $24.95 (+$6.00 s/h)

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The Larger World of Laurel & Hardy, Vol. 5
Almost Hats Off

    Here is a collection of films that exploit the central gag of "Hats Off" (and also "The Music Box") - the difficulty of surmounting that grand flight of steps. In two cases ("Ice Cold Cocos" and "It's Your Move") the very same staircase is used. Since "Hats Off" is likely lost to the world, we can only speculate as to the specific content of the film. This disc, however, attempts to answer some of the most significant questions burning in the minds of all Laurel and Hardy fans - what did it look like? Well, "It's Your Move" (1945), directed by Hal Yates (also director of "Hats Off"), captures the washing machine delivery sequence quite well. Yates duplicates that portion of "Hats Off" to the letter and we can almost envision the original cast (Stan, Babe and Anita Garvin) as they must have appeared in their respective roles - in this case filled by Edgar Kennedy, Jack Rice and Maxine Semon. "Ice Cold Cocos" (1926) gives us a look at the staircase (and the principal gag) as it appeared a year before "Hats Off" was filmed - so much for originality. "His Musical Career" takes us back even further (1914) into the silent comedy ether by demonstrating that moving heavy objects up lengthy sets of stairs has been a part of our comic heritage for at least 90-odd years. An original video presentation of Laurel and Hardy sites around Los Angeles and Culver City (including a look at Thelma Todd's Café) rounds out the contents of this disc.

The Films:

His Musical Career (Keystone-Mutual; 11-7-14); Dir. C. Chaplin; Cast: Charlie Chaplin, Mack Swain, Fritz Schade, Charley Chase

Ice Cold Cocos (Sennett-Pathé 6-20-26); Dir. Del Lord; Cast: Billy Bevan, Andy Clyde, Madeline Hurlock, Kewpie Morgan, Louise Carver

It's Your Move (RKO 8-10-45); Dir. Hal Yates; Cast: Edgar Kennedy, Jack Rice, Florence Lake, Dot Farley

Just $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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A Stan Laurel Reference Library
Vol. 2: 1918 - 1922

   Here, at long last, is Volume 2 of the Stan Laurel Reference Library. There are four shorts on this disc partially covering the period between 1918 and 1922. The titles are: Frauds and Frenzies (the last of the three Semon Vitagraphs), The Lucky Dog (presented here in a more complete form than can be found in most commercially available copies), A Weak-End Party (all that remains of this title is the first reel, unfortunately) and The Handy Man (this version is taken from digitally remastered video - not fabulous, but very watchable and a terribly obscure title). In addition to the films there are special audio files including Stan Laurel letters read by film historian Glenn Mitchell and series DVD author Dave Stevenson. There are also some Laurel and Hardy radio recordings (in full DVD fidelity) of the familiar classics: "Mr Slater's Poultry Market" and "The Wedding Sketch" from Mail Call. There are some hidden (surprise) features as well.
   The overall visual quality is good to excellent with the only "reference quality" short being the aforementioned video copy of The Handy Man. The scores are restored 78 rpm acoustic recordings. The radio programs are digitally remastered and restored.

Just $19.99 (+$6.00 s/h)

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Kid Gangs and Juvenile Stars

   All of your favorite juvenile stars and kid gangs are represented on this two-disc set. Our Gang, The McDougal Alley Kids, Big Boy, the gang from Hey Fellas, Arthur Trimble as Buster Brown, Mickey "Himself" McGuire and a handful of others appear in these obscure two-reel comedies. Titles include Our Gang in One Wild Ride and Monkey Business. The McDougal Alley Kids put in an appearance in a rare, complete two-reeler called The Big Pie Raid. The kids from "Hey Fellas" (including Mickey Daniels' brother) star in Fire Flies. Educational Pictures juvenile star "Big Boy" (Malcolm Sebastian) appears in two shorts: Navy Beans and Bearcats. Mickey "Himself" McGuire (Mickey Rooney) entertains you in Mickey's Big Game Hunt and Arthur Trimble, Doreen Turner and "Pete the Pup" round out the bill in the Universal-Stern Brothers short Buster's Nose Dive. In addition to these titles there are dozens of toy projector reels featuring mny of the above listed folks - including Our Gang in Donkey Delivery Service - and an excerpt from Our Gang, the very first Our Gang short. We also have included an audio file of the 1930s Our Gangers from George Jessel's radio program 30 Minutes in Hollywood. Some additional Easter Egg surprises await you also.
   The overall visual quality is good to excellent. The scores are restored 78 rpm acoustic recordings. The radio program is digitally remastered and restored. This is a two-disc set.

Just $29.00 (+$6.00 s/h)

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Buster Keaton
Educational Shorts

   We are happy to offer you the complete series of sound shorts made by Buster Keaton for Educational. This is the entire run in a new disc set. Fifteen of the sixteen shorts are all new transfers from 16mm original prints in our own collection. One other (Allez Oop), is taken from an excellent video source. Also contained in this set are a number of bonus features including: "Way Up Thar" (a Joan Davis and Roy Rogers short costarring the Keaton Family, sans Buster), "Home Cured" (a silent Educational one-reel comedy starring Johnny Arthur and directed by Keaton's friend and mentor, Roscoe Arbuckle), various Keaton TV performances from the 1950s and '60s, alternate takes from the silent feature "Go West" and a number of easter eggs hidden throughout. There are six discs in all and they are packaged in two DVD cases. The whole collection sells for just $65 (+$5.00 s/h). The print quality and transfers are all sharp as a tack - if we do say so ourselves. Don't miss your chance to have all the Keaton Educationals in a single collection and get some terrific upgrades of your old video prints at the same time. Individual titles or discs are not available separately.

Just $65.00 (+$5.00 s/h)

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Sennett, Volume 1

   Here is our first volume in what is sure to be a lengthy series of discs. Going forward, each entry in this Sennett library will attempt to highlight various periods in the history of the man and his work. Accordingly, we'll be presenting the myriad of comedic stars who helped build his reputation as the "King of Comedy." In this DVD we feature the work of Roscoe Arbuckle and his wife Minta Durfee, Mack Swain, Ora Carew, Harry Gribbon, Charlie Murray, Mae Busch and Charley Chase. There are also minor roles filled by such familiar veterans of the silent (and early sound) comedy world as Blanche Payson, Edgar Kennedy, Slim Summerville and even a very, very young Jules White!
   All of these films have been transferred from 16mm prints and set with restored period soundtracks.

The Films:

Fatty and Minnie-He-Haw (Keystone-Mutual; 12-23-14); dir. Roscoe Arbuckle and Eddie Dillon; cast: Roscoe Arbuckle, Minta Durfee, Minnie Devereaux, Eddie Dillon, Harry McCoy, Slim Summerville, Frank Hayes and Josef Swickard. Two reels

A Human Hound's Triumph (Keystone-Mutual; 5-8-15); dir. Charles Parrott; cast: Mack Swain, Mae Busch, Charley Chase, Frank Opperman, Slim Summerville, Fritz Schade, Cecile Arnold and Vivian Edwards. One reel

Dollars and Sense (Triangle-Keystone; 9-27-16); dir. Walter Wright and Andrew Anderson; cast: Ora Carew, Joseph "Baldy" Belmont, Nick Cogley, Blanche Payson, Lige Conley, Mal St. Clair and Joseph Callahan. Two reels

Skylarking (Sennett-Path�; 9/9/23); dir. Roy Del Ruth; cast: Harry Gribbon, Lila Leslie, Kewpie Morgan, Alberta Vaughn, Josephine Adair, Billy Armstrong, Jackie Lucas, Teddy the Dog. Two reels

Love and Bullets (Keystone-Mutual; 7-4-14); dir. Del Henderson; cast: Charlie Murray, Phyllis Allen, Roscoe Arbuckle and Charley Chase. One reel

Just Kids [fragment] (Keystone-Mutual; 7-29-13); dir. Henry Lehrman; cast: Alice Davenport, Ford Sterling, Edgar Kennedy, Little Billy Jacobs, Jules White. (Originally) one reel - this fragment is ~75 feet

Add this DVD to your shopping cart for just $19.99

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Snooky "The Humanzee," Volume 1!

   So you've been waiting for a hefty dose of 1920s chimpanzee mayhem, eh? Well here it is. Stand by for a visit with our favorite psychotic chimp, Snooky. Here he is in all his terrible glory - armed to the teeth with dynamite, shotguns, pitchforks and pure, uninhibited cruelty. Though these films may be described as short on plot and even contrived with an intimate understanding of stupid ideas, they are still, nevertheless, very entertaining silent comedies. Snooky always saves the baby from some impending tragedy, drives the bad guys out of town and/or preserves the fortune of a simple farmer. The real fun lies in the staging of each shot and scene, as Snooky's bizarre performances coupled with a complete lack of regard for fellow actors (most of them other animals) inspire a substantial amount of sinful laughter.
   "Snooky's Fresh Heir" and "Ready to Serve" have been transferred from 16mm prints. "You'll be S'prised" is a hybrid combination of 16mm and 8mm content producing a 12:49 version. "Just in Time" is an 8mm transfer of an abridged one-reel version. In addition to the Snooky films, we have included a Chester-Vitagraph Travelogue that came originally from the personal collection of Robert Youngson. The quality on these titles ranges from good to brilliant. The 16mm material is as good as anything that we've yet done. All of the titles have been set with all new restored period soundtracks.

The Films:

Snooky's Fresh Heir (Chester-Educational; 7-24-21); all chimp cast; two reels; from 16mm Kodascope print

Ready to Serve (Chester-Educational; 4-3-21); cast: Snooky; one reel; from a 16mm Kodascope print

You'll Be S'prised (Chester-Educational; 12-5-20); cast: Snooky, Ida McKenzie; two reels; from Kodascope (16mm) and Walton (8mm) materials

An Overall Hero (Chester-Educational; 7-25-20); cast: Snooky, Ida McKenzie; one-reel digest of a two-reel short; from a Walton 8mm print

Monkeyland (Chester-Vitagraph; 1923); a "unique travelogue"; one reel from a 16mm Kodascope print - from the personal collection of film historian Robert Youngson

Swing Wing [TV Commercial] (Transagram Toys; 1960s); unique spot for a bizarre toy. Features two shots of monkeys - yes, I know it's a tenuous connection

Add this DVD to your shopping cart for just $19.99

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The Larger World of Laurel and Hardy, Volume 4!

   We're pleased to announce the fourth volume in the "Larger World" series. This one is, in large part, a tribute to Mae Busch and features four shorts starring this favorite Laurel and Hardy foil. We follow Mae through her Keystone years and into the sound era with a collection of seldom seen films highlighting her comedic talents. Caught up in the fun we find a young Charley Chase who adds immeasurable fun to the proceedings. Add into the bargain the abilities of Mack Swain and Harry Gribbon and you've got first class slapstick comedy.
   Babe Hardy is featured in a two-reel comedy with Billy West called "The Villain." In this one, Mr. Hardy plays his entire role in drag as the daughter of a wealthy doctor whom Billy and his gang have targeted for burglary. It has to be seen to be believed!
   Rounding out the program is a one-reel short featuring L&H director Jimmy Parrott (as Paul Parrott), brother of Charley Chase. The pacing of this short and the general style of comedy will be immediately familiar to L&H fans and, hopefully, the influence of the younger Parrott upon the world of Laurel and Hardy will become readily apparent.

The Films:

Ye Olden Grafter (Keystone-Mutual; 2-18-15); Dir. Del Henderson; Cast: Mack Swain, Mae Busch, Harry Gribbon and Minta Durfee. Split reel

Settled at the Seaside (Keystone-Mutual; 3-29-15); Dir. Walter Wright; Cast: Charley Chase, Mae Busch and Fritz Schade. Split reel

The Rent Jumpers (Keystone-Mutual; 4-8-15); Dir. Frank Griffith; Cast: Charley Chase, Mae Busch, Fritz Schade and Frank Opperman. One reel

The Villain (King-Bee Film Corp.- states' rights release; 7/15/17); Dir. Arvid E. Gillstrom; Cast: Billy West, Babe Hardy, Florence McLoughlin, Budd Ross, Ethlyn Gibson, Leo White and Joe Cohen. Two reels

Post No Bills (Roach-Path�; 8/5/23); Dir. Ralph Cedar; Cast: Paul Parrott, Marie Mosquini, George Rowe, Noah Young. One reel

High Hats and Low Brows (RKO-Path�; 1932); Dir. Harry Sweet; Cast: James Gleason, Harry Gribbon, Mae Busch, Gertrude Astor. Tom McGuire, Maude Truax and Irving Bacon. Two reels

This disc also contains an opening montage built around some rarely seen photos of Mae Busch.

Add this DVD to your shopping cart for just $19.99

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The Clark and McCullough (Vol. 1) Disc is Now Available!

    Here are America's premiere comic troublemakers in a trio of zany RKO two-reelers. The stock in trade of comedians Bobby Clark and Paul McCullough is high-energy calamity and there's plenty to go around in "Flase Roomers," "Jitters the Butler" and "Snug in the Jug." The supporting casts add to the fun with Jimmy Finlayson, Dorothy Granger, Eddie Dunn, Harry Gribbon and Maude Truax all suffering embarrasment, indignity and disgrace at the hands of our heros.
    False Roomers is the second short that Clark and McCullough made for RKO and is a prime example of the bizzare world they inhabit. The bulk of the action takes place in a rooming house and the tenants include Eddie Dunn, Josephine Whittel, Nora Cecil, Harry Dunkinson and Kewpie Morgan. The short is built around a typically thin plot with the bulk of the laughs coming from the interaction of the characters. Finlayson is an amicable but hard of hearing landlord who has only two rules: the hall light must be put out a 10:00 pm and there is to be "NO COOKING" in the rooms. Clark and McCullough, however, have other ideas and begin popping corn the minute Finlayson leaves. The one-liners and bizarre circumstances that ensue are unexplainable, but you won't be disapointed. It is a gem of a film and a very obscure one at that.
   Snug in the Jug and Jitters the Butler are also typically strange outings in landscapes constructed by the imagination of Bobby Clark. Jimmy Finlayson and Dorothy Granger support the Boys in Jitters the Butler. In this short, the Boys are street sweepers who become victims of Dorothy Granger's poor driving skills. Though largely uninjured by the accident, she insists upon taking them home. Here, as Mr. Broomly and Mr. Blodgett of Panama, they disrupt a party she is giving to bolster the campaign of her husband (Finlayson) in his reelection bid for comissioner of street sweepers. Little does she realize the true identity of her "guests" - who have recently been fired by her husband. The comedy is aided substantially by Robert Greig as Jitters - a butler who enjoys a good, swift kick in the ass now and again. A "peculiar complex" that Bobby Clark is only too happy to accomodate.
   Harry Gribbon goes toe to toe with the Boys in Snug in the Jug as Snug Mullins, a criminal-at-large who the boys target for arrest by hanging wanted posters all over town. The fun ensues when Mullins disguises himself as a noted Austrian criminologist whom Clark and McCullough have befriended to both gain access to a valuable set of pearls and to "take care of" our heroes. Fine support is provided by James C. Morton, Harry Bowen and Lelia Leslie. Another sound, comedic disaster orchestrated by Mr. Perriwinkle and his "mental hazzard" Mr. Blodgett.
    All of these titles have been transferred from 16mm prints and the image quality is among the best we have offerred thus far. There is a bonus short attached to the end of Snug in the Jug, an entry in the Voice of Hollywood series - this one hosted by Robert Woolsey and featuring cameos by Lew Cody, Raquel Torres and Buster Keaton.

The Films:

False Roomers; (RKO Radio Pictures; 10-10-31); Dir. Mark Sandrich; Cast: Bobby Clark, Paul McCullough, James Finlayson, Eddie Dunn, Josephine Whittal, Harry Dunkinson, Nora Cecil and Kewpie Ross. Two reels

Jitters the Butler; (RKO Radio Pictures; 12-30-32); Dir. Mark Sandrich; Cast: Bobby Clark, Paul McCullough, James Finlayson, Dorothy Granger, Robert Greig and Maude Truax. Two reels

Snug in the Jug; (RKO Radio Pictures; 11-2-33); Dir. Ben Holmes; Cast: Bobby Clark, Paul McCullough, Harry Gribbon, Lelia Leslie, Anders Van Haden, James C. Morton, Harry Bowen and Russ Powell. Two Reels

Easter Egg
The Voice of Hollywood (Tiffany Productions, Inc; 1931); Cast: Robert Woolsey - host, Buster Keaton, Lew Cody, Raquel Torres. This version has the original British certificate at the head and features Wardour titles. One reel

Just $19.99 (+$6.00 S&H)

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DVD resolution is much higher

Dizzy Damsels Have Taken the Stage!

      Our newest DVD release highlights the work of four early comediennes: Fay Tincher, Alice Howell, Edna Marion and Wanda Wiley. Included in this collection are five films which span the years 1914 to 1926. Largely neglected by modern audiences and unjustly overlooked, these women often shine brilliantly - especially in the case of Alice Howell (whom Stan Laurel held in very high regard). In this collection are five shorts that we think represent both rarity and quality - though perhaps not always in equal measure. All of the shorts were transferred from 16mm prints and, as always, we strive to provide you with the best materials available. The soundtracks have been compiled from both acoustic and electric 78rpm records and minimal compression has been applied to the video content during the mastering process.






The Titles
Our Thanks to Steve Massa for the reseach contained in the notes below

Fay Tincher
Ethel's Roof Party (Reliance-Majestic/Mutual; 11/8/14); 1 reel; silent with acoustic track; Dir. Edward Dillon; Writer Paul West; Cast: Fay Tincher, Tammany Young, Joseph "Baldy" Belmont, Anna May Walthall, Mae Gaston, Maxfield Stanley, Max Davidson, Bobby Fuhrer (Bobby Ray) and Richard Talmadge. N� 10 in the "Bill the Office Boy" series made for Komic Comedies made under the aegis of D.W. Griffith. Only a handful of these films exist today and even those are difficult to see without access to major film archives. (~S.M.)

Alice Howell
Cinderella Cinders (Reelcraft-States Rights; 5/20); 2 reels; silent with acoustic track; Dir. Frederick J. Ireland; Cast: Alice Howell, Dick Smith, Rose Burkhardt, Mattie Fitzgerald and Leo Sulky. This short features a fabulous performance by Alice Howell as a short order cook (also the head of a women's labor union) who is hired at the last minute by a rich couple for a grand party. When a Count and Countess - who are in reality a pair of recently escaped thieves - announce their intention to attend, Alice and the butler are gussied up as additional aristocratic guests. Add a spiked punch bowl to this already volatile mix and you have a first-class two-reel comedy. (~D.S.)

One Wet Night (Universal; 4/26/24); 1 reel; silent with acoustic track; Written and Directed by William Watson; Cast: Alice Howell, Neely Edwards, Bert Roach and Tiny Sandford. After leaving Reelcraft, Alice Howell was hired by Universal to star in a series of domestic comedies with Neely Edwards (as her husband) and Bert Roach (who played their goofy butler). One Wet Night is a fine one-reel comedy with a enough waterlogged insanity to complement just about anyone's idea of a Saturday night bath. (~D.S., S.M.)

Edna Marion
Uncle Tom's Gal (Century-Universal; 10/07/25); 2 reels; silent with an electric track; Written and Directed by William H. Watson; Cast: Edna Marion. Uncle Tom's Gal may seem to some folks a bit over the edge in terms of what contemporary audiences deem socially acceptable, but it is important to view the film in the context in which it was made. So, put on your 1925 glasses prior to watching this one and remember there there is an important distinction between commentary and deliberate offense. Edna plays a small town gal who yearns to be a big screen actress. When a production company turns up on her farm to film Uncle Tom's Cabin, she gets her big chance to break into pictures. Naturally, it turns out disastrously for everyone concerned. This is one of only two entries in this series that we are aware of - and the only one in private hands - making Uncle Tom's Gal a very rare bird. (~D.S.)

Wanda Wiley
Flying Wheels (Century-Universal; 3/03/26); 1 reel (reel 2 of what was originally a two-reel comedy); silent with an electric track; Written and Directed by Edward I. Luddy; Cast: Wanda Wiley; Alfred Hewston, Joe Barnes and Consuela Dawn. Wanda plays the daughter of an automobile dealer (Alfred Hewston). As we enter the action, she is attempting to sneak back into the agency after spending the morning playing golf. To avert her father's anger, she takes off with the company race car and enters an annual dealers' race when the hired driver skips town unexpectedly. You can imagine the consequences, but it all works out in the end. A rare look at the work of another obscure 1920s comedienne who has been largely forgotten today. (~D.S.)

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OUR LARRY SEMON
DISC SET IS HERE!

   The new Larry Semon DVD set - An Underrated Genius, Vols. 1 & 2 - is now available for immediate purchase. The two-disc collection features nine shorts, a five-minute fragment from the feature "Spuds", an 18-image photo gallery (most of it full-color posters), synopses and a five-minute excerpt from the Italian-language "Let's Smile" television series that aired in the early sixties. You can own the inaugural two-disc set for just $29.99.
   The first set in this series offers a group of seldom seen comedy shorts starring the master of explosive comedy, Larry Semon. In tow with the energetic Mr. S are regulars: Lucille Carlisle, Frank "Fatty" Alexander, Bill Hauber, the rest of the Vitagraph second and third bananas and, in two shorts, our old friend Oliver Norvell Hardy. Note: these films are 16mm transfers of the Italian language television versions aired during the 1960s. We have taken the Italian narrative, music and effects tracks off and added restored teens and twenties jazz scores. Additionally, we have added new main and production cards (with the correct film titles). We have not, however, replaced any intertitles. The original Vitagraph titles would have been fairly perfunctory and it's amazing how well these films work without dialogue and explanatory intertitles. Just in case you have nagging questions about the plots, we have included synopses by Cole Johnson and Dave Stevenson on the first disc of this two-disc set. We recommend that you read these prior to running the shorts.

Notes on print quality:
   A couple of the films contained in this set have age-related problems. Pluck and Plotters was printed a bit on the dark side and deterioration in the negative during the last minute or so compounds the contrast issues. The very end has also gone missing, but this is the only material we have been able to locate. Spuds - a five-minute fragment from this Pathé feature made late in Semon's career - came to us in a less than desirable state of preservation. There is some emulsion damage and a persistent warpage that causes a focal defect. Despite these flaws, both films are very watchable, coherent and full of the wild gags and chases you expect from Mr. S.    As always, we have labored over the presentation of these films. To that end, correct titles have been added whenever necessary, proper projection speeds (24 fps) have been observed and period (dance music) scores have been created from restored acoustic and electric 78 rpm records. The source materials for the visual elements on this DVD are all 16mm prints. Looser Than Loose Publishing uses only Sony and Adobe products to author its DVDs. Minimal compression rates are employed to optimize the reproduction of the original transfers and all of our DVDs are processed using high quality, printable Fuji DVD-R discs.

Disc 1:
Pluck and Plotters
(Vitagraph 12/31/19); d. Larry Semon; c. Larry Semon, Madge Kirby & Frank Alexander; taken from the Italian language "Let's Smile" series.
Scamps and Scandals
(Vitagraph 12/17/19); d. Larry Semon; c. Larry Semon, Frank Alexander, Vera Reynolds and Charles Amador; taken from the Italian language "Let's Smile" series.
The Sportsman
(Vitagraph 2/06/21); d. Larry Semon, Norman Taurog; c. Larry Semon, Lucille Carlisle, Frank Alexander & Spencer Bell; taken from the Italian language "Let's Smile" series.
A Pair of Kings
(Vitagraph 5/15/22); d. Larry Semon, Norman Taurog; c. Larry Semon, Lucille Carlisle & Babe Hardy; taken from the Italian language "Let's Smile" series. Note: A five-minute fragment featuring the original "Let's Smile" music, narrative and effects follows the end title - this clip is not accessible from the menu.

Also on Disc One!

• Full color Italian poster and portrait gallery (18 images)
• Synopses by Cole Johnson and Dave Stevenson
• Notes on print and source quality

Disc Two
Plagues and Puppy Love
(Vitagraph 10/01/17); d. Larry Semon; c. Larry Semon, Florence Curtis, Earl Montgomery and Joe Rock; taken from a sparkling 16mm print with 1920s reissue titles and intertitles.
Tough Luck and Tin Lizzies
(Vitagraph 11/03/17); d. Larry Semon; c. Larry Semon, Florence Curtis; taken from another sparkling 16mm print with 1920s reissue titles and intertitles.
The Fly Cop
(Vitagraph 3/19/20); d. Larry Semon, Mort Peebles, Norman Taurog; c. Larry Semon, Lucille Carlisle & Frank Alexander; taken from the Italian language "Let's Smile" series.
The Suitor
(Vitagraph 11/01/20); d. Larry Semon, Norman Taurog; c. Larry Semon, Lucille Carlisle & Frank Alexander; taken from the Italian language "Let's Smile" series.
Horseshoes
(Vitagraph 2/06/21); d. Larry Semon, Jimmy Davis; c. Larry Semon, Kathleen Myers & Babe Hardy; taken from the Italian language "Let's Smile" series.
Spuds (5-minute fragment)
(Chadwick-Pathé 4/10/27); d. Larry Semon; c. Larry Semon, Kewpie Ross; taken from a Pathégram home-use print.

Add this set to your shopping cart for just $29.00!

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