Friday, January 20, 2012

A Quaint Little Railway - 1930


Country: United Kingdom
This short, silent film captures one of Britain's minor little railways: the Leek and Manifold Light Railway on the Staffordshire Moorlands. The railway opened in 1907, linking the villages of Waterhouses and Hulme End, and was built mainly for agricultural traffic, with a passenger service being a secondary consideration. Its route went through beautiful countryside in Staffordshire, and it is unfortunate that the intertitles state it as being shot in Derbyshire!
In 1934 the entire line was closed by the North Staffordshire Railway. There is little in the way of recorded film material of this quaint little train, so this gem gives an invaluable insight into the railway. (Stuart Smith, Midlands Railway Centre)

Putting Pants on Philip - 1927


Country: USA
Language: English (intertitles)
Director: Clyde Bruckman
Writers: Leo McCarey (story), H.M. Walker
Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and Charles A. Bachman
Release Date: 3 December 1927 (USA)
Also known as: Vieras Skotlannista (Finland)
Filming Locations: Culver City, California, USA
Production Co: Hal Roach Studios
Runtime: UK: 19 min
Sound Mix: Silent
Color: Black and White
Plot Keywords: Tailor | Kilt | Scotland | Dignity | Policeman | Uncle Nephew Relationship | Laurel And Hardy | Two Reeler | Crowd | Bus | Pompousness | Underwear
Genres: Comedy | Short
Pompous J. Piedmont Mumblethunder (Hardy), greets his nephew from Scotland (Laurel,) who arrives in kilts. He is immediately taken to a tailor for a pair of proper pants. 
Edited into: Laurel and Hardy's Laughing 20's (1965)
References: Lonesome Ladies (1927)
Referenced in: "Jeopardy!: Episode #22.215" (2006) - referenced in clue in "The Oafish" category
Featured in: Dick und Doof, die Unzertrennlichen (1968) - compilation movie
Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003) - Excerpts appear in the film.