tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149411832127844385.post4377289852013864510..comments2024-03-22T14:34:39.101-04:00Comments on MONDO 70: A Wild World of Cinema: THREE'S A CROWD (1927)Samuel Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00934870299522899944noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149411832127844385.post-64364868473557762112012-06-19T15:46:11.058-04:002012-06-19T15:46:11.058-04:00First of all, thank you Ed Watz for the two-fold p...First of all, thank you Ed Watz for the two-fold plug for "LITTLE ELF" and thanks to MONDO 70's moderator for approving it.<br /><br />After having worked on "LITTLE ELF," I believe a thorough understanding and appreciation of THREE'S A CROWD is impossible without knowing the events that had just transpired in Langdon's personal life. The film is at least in part an allegory of his experience with a long-time mistress, her estranged husband and a pregnancy she had terminated.Michael J. Haydehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08072544837488259305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149411832127844385.post-59172189481048934532012-06-19T13:29:12.324-04:002012-06-19T13:29:12.324-04:00Here's the direct link to Michael and Chuck...Here's the direct link to Michael and Chuck's new Harry Langdon book: <br />http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=Hayde&product_id=509Ed Watzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16582138718715445049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149411832127844385.post-3043772476579088312012-06-19T10:42:53.307-04:002012-06-19T10:42:53.307-04:00A brilliant new book on Harry Langdon has just bee...A brilliant new book on Harry Langdon has just been published by Bear Manor Media. Here's the link and a press release by co-author Mike Hayde: <br /><br />http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php ... uct_id=509<br /><br />This is Harry Langdon's DEFINITIVE life story, coupled with the most comprehensive Langdon filmography ever compiled. My co-author, Chuck Harter, and I have uncovered every aspect of Harry's career, from his earliest stage appearances to his final day on a soundstage. Errors from previous books have been explained and corrected. Over 500 images add depth to the story of this most subtly visual of silent clowns. As a bonus, the book includes FIVE of Harry's original vaudeville scripts, TEN vintage movie magazine profiles from 1925-33, and a detailed, illustrated synopsis of HEART TROUBLE.<br /><br />A Foreword by Steve Massa and a 3-page Introduction by Ed Watz - two of the most authoritative film comedy experts of our day - set the stage for this 690-page Langdon tribute. Whatever the depth of your interest in the Golden Age of Comedy, we're sure you'll enjoy LITTLE ELF.<br /><br />--Michael J. HaydeEd Watzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16582138718715445049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149411832127844385.post-89766373871246247522010-12-01T17:21:38.002-05:002010-12-01T17:21:38.002-05:00"it may be that Langdon could have told his b..."it may be that Langdon could have told his basic story nearly as well with a two-reeler."<br /><br />Try editing out the entire solo-doll sequence, and then remove a few of the unnecessary and redundant shots in the pie scene and in the nightmare. Now the film doesn't "drag", and it seems close to perfect in its own perverse way.frankebenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9149411832127844385.post-8591489090498839822010-11-27T13:50:09.187-05:002010-11-27T13:50:09.187-05:00"First of all, Three's A Crowd isn't ..."First of all, Three's A Crowd isn't an imitation of Chaplin, but a commentary if not a sardonic parody of the romantic Tramp. In simplest terms, the plot elaborates on themes Chaplin had played since The Tramp back in 1915. Langdon's film is the story of a hapless fellow, an assistant junkman who makes enough to keep his own apartment but is unfulfilled and lonely. He longs for a wife and child, adopting a doll briefly to toss in the air the way his boss tosses his own son."<br /><br />I really have my fingers crossed that serious movie fans and partcularly fans of silent comedy will get over to MONDO 70 and indulge in this altogether spectacular piece. I am so imprssed with the writing, observations and historical insights that I am posting in the #1 position this week on the upcoming Monday Morning Diary. Langdom may be sadly forgotten orneglected by too many, but you have brought a fascinating comparative discussion here by Kerr and Kalat that's vindication of sorts in the examination of the famed THREE'S A CROWD and other works. Kerr's THE SILENT CLOWNS is indeed as you say here one of the greatest film volumes ever written, and one I do find myself going back to very often. (most recently in fact after the Film Forum's Chaplin Festival) And I do own that Landgon set on DVD.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.com