The silent film era featured some of the most revered names of on-screen comic performance, from Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton to Harold Lloyd, Douglas Fairbanks, and Laurel & Hardy. Besides these giants of cinema, however, there are other silent era performers both leading actors and supporting players who also left an enduring legacy of laughter. Beyond some of the most famous names, what about the other artists who entertained audiences then and now? In The 100 Greatest Silent Film Comedians, James Roots ranks the greatest performers whose work predates the sound era. This hierarchy of silent screen genius is based on a scorecard which measures each comic s funniness, timelessness, originality, and teamwork. Far more than just a listing of 100 silent comedians, this is an idiosyncratic and entertaining review of the men and women who created the golden age of comedy. As a critic and deaf viewer, Roots brings a truly unique perspective to the evaluation of these performers and their work. The author has viewed literally thousands of silent comedies and offers some assessments that run contrary to the standard list of performers. While many obvious names are placed in the top echelon, others don t rank as high. And the author also champions performers who have been neglected, in part because their work has not been as visible. Each entry includes: .Filmography .A scorecard based on a criteria of humor, creativity, teamwork, timeliness, and appeal .An evaluation of the artist or group of artists overall work .An assessment of representative films .DVD availability Ranking these wonderful entertainers creates a new hierarchy, supported by a clear rating system. Specific films are reviewed, strengths and weaknesses articulated, career arcs traced, and explanations provided for the omission of an additional large group of comics. Several of the most intriguing slapstick artists inspire lengthier examination in passionate essays. With the increased availability of films on DVD, as well as Internet access, more and more performers are finding their way to the attention of film fans. Supplemented by an appendix of comedians who missed the cut and an annotated bibliography, The 100 Greatest Silent Film Comedians will be an invaluable resource to anyone wanting to know more about the brilliant entertainers of the silent era."

From the moment films were first produced, comedy has been a key feature of cinema. From just before the turn of the twentieth century until the early 1930s, audiences celebrated the brilliant humor of cinematic clowns who left their marks forever. We still remember-and laugh at-the hilarious antics of Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, and many others. In 100 Essential Silent Film Comedies James Roots identifies the major comedic motion pictures produced in the first few decades of the twentieth century. With a lucid and lively style, Roots takes a look at more than 400 silent comedies and narrows the list to 100 that viewers should consider. Each entry includes cast and crew information, a synopsis, critical evaluation, and additional commentary-all to demonstrate why that particular film is essential viewing. The films range from 70 seconds to full-length features and even include some of the earliest produced films, starting in 1894. In addition to citing Hollywood's finest, the book profiles comedies from around the world, including selections from the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Russia. More than seventy silent comedians from Charlie Chaplin to Max Linder are represented in these selections, and the book celebrates such established classics as The General and Safety Last-as well as relatively obscure one-reelers. Including information about DVD availability, 100 Essential Silent Film Comedies is an invaluable resource that provides both scholars and general film fans a list of entertaining films to explore.

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Most interesting with relation to Chaucer... is the employment of esquires on missions abroad. Apparently certain individuals were assigned especially to this kind of business and many of these were kept almost constantly engaged in it. For example, George Felbrig, in 51 Edward III, was sent on the King's secret business to John Duke of Brittany in Flanders. -from "The Esquires of the King's Household" This 1912 Ph.D. dissertation is a classic interpretive biography of Geoffrey Chaucer, author of, most famously, The Canterbury Tales. As a member of the courts of Edward III and Richard II, did Chaucer receive any special favors from the kings because of his position? How important was the patronage of John of Gaunt, whom earlier Chaucer biographers emphasized while ignoring or glossing over Chaucer's standing as a courtier? By comparing the careers of Chaucer's professional associates in the kings' households with Chaucer's itself, Root unravels the intrigue of royal patronage to explore Chaucer's reputation during his life... and how it may be responsible for his legacy as the first great writer in the English language.

This book presents a detailed explanation of the essential facts of dictionaries in general. It includes information on the origin of English dictionaries and the authority and choice of a dictionary.