"..I just took life and poked fun at it..."-Harold Lloyd

I love to laugh and I love watching comedies. I especially harbor a love of silent comedic films which are usually comedies of errors or rather unfortunate circumstances. Whether I am watching Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, or the subject of today's post, it always amazes me as I watch how they can truly portray comedy from tip to toes without speaking a single word. And while I love many of the comedians from the silent era, today I just wanted to share with you one of my personal favorites, who also happened to star in the first silent film that I ever watched...

Harold Lloyd

Born April 20, 1893

Died March 8, 1971

Named for his paternal grandfather who hailed from Wales, Harold Clayton Lloyd was born Burchard, Nebraska at the end of the 19th century. Given the bright spotlight that centered on Harold, many people do not know that he had an older brother named Gaylord who was also moderately successful in the film industry, having acted at the beginning of his career, but later settling for jobs behind the camera. It is perhaps because of his older brothers involvement in motion pictures that young Harold took an interest from an early age in theater. He took it upon himself to get involved in vaudeville and exercise/develop his talents even before his family moved to California when he was in high school. After he graduated from San Diego High School, he went on to study at the San Diego School of Dramatic Arts.

Lloyd quickly tapped into the industry after his move to California. He soon made an affiliation with Thomas Edison's film company and was creating one-reel comedic films. When the then not-so-famous Hal Roach formed his own company in 1913, he took on Lloyd and the two of them collaborated together on many projects. One of the first things that Lloyd undertook was hiring a co-star. He eventually chose Bebe Daniels. The two worked together on many projects for the next 6 years and were as much of a hit off screen as on, since it was common knowledge that the two were a couple. Audiences affectionately referred to them as "The Boy & The Girl." In 1919, Daniels felt like she was being confined to the studio and wanted to branch out on her own, so she left the company and Lloyd to build her own career.  Lloyd only suffered from the heartache for a short period of time until Mildred Davis was hired as his new co-star that same year. The two married in 1923.

During those beginning years, Lloyd formed a comedic persona all his own. His friends and co-workers frequently joked to him that he was far too handsome to star in screwball comedies, so he created his own look. Along with the customary heavy stage makeup, his character developed the trademarks of a straw boater hat and thick-framed round glasses. Lloyd also created a reputation during this time as a creative yet sometimes reckless stuntman. He was very athletic by nature, and whenever his character was caught in a sometimes physically trying predicament, Lloyd would insist on doing the work himself. He sustained many various smaller injuries over the course of his career, but seriously hurt himself in 1919. Ironically, Lloyd was merely posing for a promotional photograph when the accident occurred. He was holding a small bomb that was thought to just be a prop, yet it promptly went off in his hand causing him to lose two fingers. For the rest of his career he wore a prosthetic glove while acting in his films. Due to the pictures being in black and white, most people never knew the difference.

By 1921, Lloyd and Roach were still working together and decided to make a move into feature length films. They produced several successful films such as Grandma's Boy (1922), Why Worry? (1923), and one of his most memorable films, Safety Last! (1923). After the success of these films, Lloyd decided to expand and begin producing his own films beginning in 1924, so as to have more room for his creativity. It was once he branched out on his own that Lloyd then starred in his most accomplished films such as Girl Shy (1924), The Kid Brother (1927), Speedy (1928), and his highest-grossing film The Freshman (1925).

Speedy proved to be his final silent film. The film industry was taking a turn that promised growth and expansion with the development of sound equipment. Talkies were rolling into production. As with many silent film stars, there was some concern in the film industry as to whether or not Lloyd's career would transfer successfully when he could be heard. Lloyd did not ruffle his own feathers about it and just went on with business as usual. Since he was one of the highest paid stars during the silent film era, audiences everywhere were excited to see how Lloyd would do, and what he would sound like, in these new films. Welcome Danger (1929) was one of the last films released before the chaos of the Great Depression ensued. It was enormously successful. Once the stock market crash occurred and the Great Depression took hold of the nation, Lloyd's career slowed down a bit for the next 10 years, but he still continued to work. He trudged on through most of the 1940s, although he eventually sold the land of his production company to a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which remains there today. In 1944 Lloyd began to dabble in the realm of radio, hosting The Old Gold Comedy Theater for its duration. Once that program died out, Lloyd slowly began to sink into retirement, but he took it in stride, becoming very involved in many different charities. He was also a family man throughout his life. He and his wife, Mildred, were married until her death in the 1960s, and they were kept very busy with their 3 children.

Harold Lloyd was a revolutionary worker of creativity and comedic talent in the film industry. He starred in 188 comedic films in his early career, and 17 feature length films. He did much experimentation with color, technicolor, photography, and 3D, and he was also one of the founding members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. His film Safety Last! remains the oldest film listed on the American Film Institute's list of 100 Most Thrilling Movies. He died in 1971 at the age of 77 due to cancer.

"The man who tries to be funny is lost. To lose one's naturalness is always to lose the sympathy of your audience."

-Harold Lloyd

"The more trouble you get a man into, the more comedy you get out of him."

-Harold Lloyd

"Comedy comes from inside. It comes from your face. It comes from your body."

-Harold Lloyd

"No man can be a genius in slapshoes and a flat hat."-Buster Keaton

STAR OF THE MONTH

Buster Keaton

Born October 4, 1895

Died February 1, 1966

Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton was born in October of 1895, in Piqua, Kansas.He was a natural-born performer whose parents, Myra and Joe were comedians.His father actually owned a travelling show with Harry Houdini.

Rumor has it that it was, in fact, Houdini who gave young Keaton the nickname of "Buster" when he was still an infant.Unlike most babies and toddlers, Buster had an uncanny ability to take a spill, get trampled, or thrown around,and never come close to shedding a tear.

When Buster was only around three years of age, he started acting in a show alongside his parents. "The Three Keatons" was nothing more than a simple comedy sketch, where Buster would make his father angry,and Joe would lose it and end up throwing his young son into scenery, the orchestra pit, and sometimes even the audience.Viewers were often shocked,especially noting that the small boy hardly ever got so much as a bruise.

Buster grew up on the stage, and easily began making a name for himself there.He continued doing family acts, until he was around 21 years old.His father,an alcoholic, was no longer able to do the shows, and Buster almost lost his built reputation as a good performer.So, Buster and his mother, Myra, travelled to New York together.The young Keaton was then introduced to film, and took it up naturally and easily.His first appearance was in the short film,The Butcher Boy in 1917.He made several more short films until 1920, when he got his first starring role in a movie for the silent film, The Saphead.

Due to his success,Buster was given control over his own production unit.He made more than one comedy film reel as the head of Buster Keaton Comedies, and then gradually shifted into producing full-length feature films.Keaton was very successful, until 1927.After investing too much money in a film that was considered a flop, he was never allowed free reign with his films again, having to work under a sort of supervisor, who monitored expenses and had moderate control over story lines.

The next year, 1928,brought a contract with MGM for Keaton.He later recalled signing it as one of the worst mistakes of his life.Keaton had always been free to improvise, ad-lib, do his own stunts and write his own material.Under MGM, however, he had cold-cut scripts, no room was made for his own twists and takes on things, he had to use a stunt double, etc.However,despite his unhappiness with his new contract, he was successful in "talkies."He would continue act in movies,on television,and with cameo appearances for the remainder of his career,and lifetime.He passed away in February of 1966 due to lung cancer.

Today, he is most recognized and remembered for his early silent comedies, which are one of a kind."Great Stoneface," as he was known,had a special talent of keeping people laughing and being able to convey emotion, whilst always keeping his deadpan expression.In recent years, Buster Keaton has been listed as the seventh greatest director of all time, and many of his films have been labelled as some of the greatest comedies ever made.He also has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

MOVIE OF THE MONTH

The Cameraman

1928

Starring Buster Keaton,Marceline Day,and Harold Goodwin

The Cameraman follows the adventures of Buster (Keaton), who sells tintype portraits on city streets to make his living.Buster has a crush on an MGM secretary named Sally (Day), and he tries to get a job as a cameraman for the studio in order to spend more time with her.An already successful cameraman, Harold (Goodwin),mocks Buster and tells him there's no way he'd ever get the job.

Sally tells Buster that he could be a great cameraman,he just needs some experience.Encouraged by her words, Buster empties his bank account to buy a motion picture camera, and goes about filming anything and everything.Sally looks at some of his film, and it just isn't good enough,so she tips him off about something big that could be happening in Chinatown, and she tells him to go check it out with his camera.On his way there, Buster accidentally kills a sidewalk musicians monkey.A police officer settles the issue, ordering Buster to pay for the monkey and take it's body so he can dispose of it.Soon after leaving, Buster finds out that the monkey was only stunned, but it revives and joins him for the rest of his mishaps.

Buster and his monkey arrive in Chinatown to the breakout of a Tong War.Buster,putting himself in danger, does his best to get up close and personal so that he can get good footage of the fight.The police break up the fight,and Buster is almost taken into custody, but he manages to get away.Ecstatic,he goes to MGM to turn in the footage only to discover that, in his excitement, he forgot to load actual film into his camera.

Dismayed, Buster goes back to selling tintypes, but eventually discovers he really did get footage of the Tong War.The monkey had switched reels before he turned it in.After another series of mishaps, Buster submits the real footage to be used,free of charge.The boss at MGM decides to show it for laughs,but is astounded at the quality of the footage.He sends Sally to get Buster, telling him he has great reception waiting for him.Caught in a ticker-tape parade,he assumes it's for himself, not realizing it's actually for Charles Lindbergh.

Today is the last day of Buster Keaton films on Turner Classic Movies,beginning at 8pm ET with In The Good Old Summertime.

To see a clip from The Cameraman, go here:

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/74/The-Cameraman/videos.html

"If I couldn't laugh,I'd rather die."-Claudette Colbert

It's finally here!

As you know,Turner Classic Movies designates August as their month for Summer Under The Stars.So,my pick for Star of the Month and Movie of the Month are my own personal preference out of the 31 stars they lined up.So,here it is.Enjoy!And be sure to watch a full day of Claudette Colbert's movies tomorrow, August 12, on Turner Classic Movies.

STAR OF THE MONTH

Claudette Colbert
Born September 13, 1903
Died July 30, 1996

Claudette Colbert was originally born as one Emilie Claudette Chauchoin.She and her family lived in Saint-Mande, Seine, France until she was three years old.They officially emigrated to the United States in 1906.She acted for the first time in a school play, at the age of 15.Once she graduated from high school, Claudette began studying at The Art Students League of New York.She got her first taste of Broadway in 1923, having a role in The Wild Westcotts.
After that, Claudette signed a five year contract with Broadway producer Al Woods.Her excitement soon turned to frustration.Nobody would cast her as anything but small parts like a maid.She fought for her right to a more colorful role,which she finally got when she played a snake charmer in The Barker in 1927.She caught the audiences attention, and started snatching bigger roles after that.She also caught the eye of Leland Hayward, who set her up for her first film role: Frank Capra's For the Love of Mike, 1927.Not only was it Claudette's first film role, it was also her only silent film.
Even though the movie was unsuccessful, Paramount Pictures offered her a contract in 1928 that would allow her to remain in New York so that she could also continue her stage work.She accepted,although she wouldn't appear on Broadway for 20 years after 1929.Colbert's movies were very successful.She had a different look,with her dark hair, and large,dramatic eyes.Her ability to speak both English and her native French fluently also came into play with some of her films.
Producers also saw Claudette's ability to effortlessly play the part of a vixen,or femme fatale.She was frequently cast in such roles, and even though they further boosted her career,Claudette eventually came to regret being typecast as the femme fatale.
Colbert remained active and extremely successful on the big screen up until the 1950's.It was at that time that she started to travel around Europe more extensively, and started appearing in fewer movies.She also made many television appearances during the 1950's.Claudette finally closed the door on her film career in 1955, only appearing in a movie once more in 1961.From then on, she only acted occasionally, and only on the stage.
Claudette Colbert passed away in 1996 due to ill health following a series of strokes a couple of years earlier.

MOVIE OF THE MONTH

It Happened One Night
1934
Starring Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable

Ellie Andrews (Colbert) is the spoiled, only child of a wealthy bank owner.Wishing to make a statement that her father no longer controls her, she marries a fortune-hunter named King Wesley.Her father intrudes and takes her away before their marriage can be consummated.Ellie,furious,runs away from her father.She decides to try to make it back to New York from Miami so that she and King can be together.
Sounds like an easy plan,but the minute she goes missing, Ellie's father notifies the papers,and uses his title and his money to advertise his dilemma.He has half the country out looking for his daughter, and offers a prize to whoever brings her home.Ellie dodges her father's forces, and manages to make it onto a night bus to New York alongside (among others) a reporter named Peter Warne (Gable).The two instantly butt heads.Much to both parties chagrin, Peter ends up helping Ellie after she loses her ticket to the bus while they're stopped for breakfast.Peter learns her true identity, and offers to help her make it to New York as long as she'll give him an exclusive story on her desparate bid for freedom.Desparately short on money,Ellie agrees.
Ellie quickly begins to lose her disdain for Peter,but he doesn't seem interested in her at all.The two of them slowly (after having to abandon the bus for the sake of Ellie's identity) make it to New York,with much arguing, and sarcasm along the way.Peter finally realizes that he has feelings for Ellie,but knows that this was a business deal.When they finally reach New York,after having a final disagreement, they go their separate ways.Ellie is reunited with her father and King Wesley.
Mr. Andrews finally agrees to let Ellie be with King, as long as they hold a real ceremony to make it official.He doesn't believe that his daughter will be happy with King,though,and tries to dissuade her from her decision.Peter comes to see Mr. Andrews but doesn't want the promised reward,but only a few dollars to cover the expenses of getting Ellie to New York.He admits to Mr. Andrews that he's in love with Ellie,but knows that Ellie is marrying King,so leaves.Mr. Andrews tries harder than ever to convince Ellie not to marry King,but Ellie remains firm up until the moment of "I do," when she just can't say the words.She runs away from King, and the movie ends with Ellie and Peter getting married and embarking on their honeymoon.

Officially dubbed a "screwball comedy," It Happened One Night is absolutely worth seeing.It's full of sarcasm,comedy, and romance.
It comes on TCM as a part of Claudette Colbert's day TOMORROW, AUGUST 12 at 11:30 pm.
And you can also watch a selection of 10 other Claudette Colbert films, playing all day tomorrow on TCM.

"Once in his life,every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead."-Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball
Born August 6, 1911
Died April 26, 1989

One hundred years ago today,one of the greatest comedians,innovators,and female pioneers in the television industry was born.She was given a name that she never changed,like so many in the Hollywood industry did,and still do: Lucille Desiree Ball.

When she was only four years old,Lucy's father died of typhoid fever.Desiree Ball,Lucy's mother,then took her two young children with her to her parents house to live.It was her grandfather that sparked young Lucy's interest in acting.He would take her to vaudeville shows for fun,and always told her that she would do well on the stage.

Lucy lived either with her mother or her grandparents on and off until 1927.At age sixteen,she began a relationship with Johnny DeVita.Seeking to end their relationship,which she didn't approve of,Desiree Ball let her daughter go away to study at the School of Dramatic Arts in New York City.Unfortunately for Lucy,she was sent packing within a few weeks because of her apparent "lack of talent."

Lucy was frustrated,and absolutely determined to prove her teachers wrong.She would make it in showbiz.She moved back to New York City in 1929 and quickly landed herself a modeling gig.After a two year medical break,she came back,bigger and better than ever.She was noticed by such names in the industry as Earl Carroll and Florenz Ziegfeld.Finally,after a bit part in the movie Roman Scandals in 1933, the 22 year old moved to Los Angeles.

She started off with smaller movie roles in films such as Follow The Fleet and Stage Door, while working radio jobs on the side.This was her routine until the 1940's, when Lucille met Cuban band leader Dezi Arnaz,who marked a whole new chapter in her career.

Lucy starred in the radio program My Favorite Husband in 1948.The program quickly became a big hit,and CBS asked her to help them bring it to television.She loved the idea,but insisted on having real-life husband Dezi Arnaz fill the role of her on-screen husband.It was with him,or not at all.CBS was hesitant at first,but eventually agreed to her terms.So began the dynasty of I Love Lucy.

The I Love Lucy show presented many firsts to television audiences.Lucy was one of the first women to have a starring role on a regular television series.Lucy and Dezi were one of the first biracial couples to be represented on televison,and one of the first acutal married couples to be seen regularly on television.

Later on in the series, Lucy became one of the first women to be shown on television while she was pregnant.The studio was initially against this idea,but finally gave in.In real life,Lucy gave birth to her child on the same day that her character,Lucy Ricardo,was featured giving birth on the show.

Lucy also became the first woman to be head of a production company,when Desilu Productions was established in 1950.

Despite the original doubts of CBS,the I Love Lucy show proved to be an enormous success,with the original series,and other variations featuring Lucy and Dezi running from 1951-1960.Lucille Ball proved to be one of the greatest business women in Hollywood.She remained active in Desilu Productions even after her divorce from Arnaz,buying out his share of the company.She also remained active in radio,movies and television until her death of heart failure in 1989 at the age of 77.
And they said she wouldn't make it.

"I can never buy a garment without thinking about the woman who owned it."-Phoebe Swift

A Vintage Affair

2011 novel by Isabel Wolff

I know what you're thinking: 2011?That's not very old.

And you would be correct.

It's a modern novel with some very vintage twists and throwbacks.

PLOT

The story centers around Phoebe Swift, who lives in England, and has recently quit her job as an auction house buyer in order to fulfill a dream by opening her own vintage clothing shop, Village Vintage. Phoebe is also trying to adjust to her new life without her best friend, Emma, who died recently. To acquire new merchandise for her shop, Phoebe goes to auctions, buys and sells online, and also makes house calls to inspect and buy peoples vintage clothes.

Through this, she meets an elderly woman named Mrs. Bell, who is a WWII survivor from France, and is dying of cancer. While inspecting some of Mrs. Bell's clothes, she is highly intrigued by a child's handmade blue coat. When she asks Mrs. Bell about it, the older woman tells her that it is not for sale, and she does not want to talk about it.

Eventually, Mrs. Bell comes to trust and admire Phoebe, and does tell her the story of the blue coat-a story of friendship, and betrayal. A story that Phoebe finds she can surprisingly relate to.

The book takes you through all of Phoebe's adventures while she looks for new clothes, new friends, new lovers, and a new start at life.

If paints a colorful picture of the south of France in the 1940's, and gives the reader a look at some of the most prominent names of vintage fashion.

It's funny, touching, historical, romantic..

And I loved it.

If you're interested in reading it for yourself, head over to your Barnes & Noble.

It's also available in paperback, and for NOOK books online:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-vintage-affair-isabel-wolff/1018391104?ean=9780553386622&itm=1&usri=a%2bvintage%2baffair#Details