Monday, May 14, 2012

Mabel's Wilful Way - 1915


Country: United States
Language: English
Stars: Mabel Normand, Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle and Joe Bordeaux
Release Date: 1 May 1915 (USA)
Filming Locations: Idora Park - Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, California, USA
Production Co: Keystone Film Company
Sound Mix: Silent
Color: Black and White
Plot Keywords: Character Name In Title
Genres: Short | Comedy
As Mabel is dining out with her parents, she begins to find the orchestra's music annoying, and she wanders off to the fairgrounds nearby. There Mabel meets two mischief-loving young men, and she joins them in some of their antics. Meanwhile, Mabel's parents have started to look for her, and they are most unprepared for what they will find.   

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Bull and Sand - 1924


Country: United States
Language: English
Director: Del Lord
Writers: Felix Adler (story), John A. Waldron (titles), and Hal Yates (story)
Stars: Sidney Smith, Vernon Dent and Madeline Hurlock
Release Date: 28 December 1924 (USA)
Also known as: La corrida loufoque (France - 8mm release title); Toréador, prends garde ! (France)
Production Co: Mack Sennett Comedies
Sound Mix: Silent
Color: Black and White
Genres: Comedy | Short
Adonis, the King of Bullomania's personal chauffeur, is in love with Princess Ernestine, the King's daughter. To win her heart, he accepts to fight bulls at the bullfighting school. But the princess is also courted by Manuel Risotto, a famous toreador who kidnaps her. The King chases after him in a car driven by Adonis. Unfortunately, the chauffeur lets Risotto run away. In a rage, the King condemns Adonis to the death penalty. But it is without counting a scientist who has invented a rocket, his assistant who falls down in the yard of Adonis's prison, a great escape featuring Adonis and the assistant disguised as bulls, a second abduction of the Princess - but, this time for the just cause of love -, a wild chase and a final flight to another planet!
Trivia
The title is a play on words; Blood and Sand with Rudolph Valentino was one of the well known hits of the era. 

His First Car - 1924


Country: United States
Language: English
Director: Al St. John
Stars: Al St. John, Doris Deane and George Davis
Release Date: 27 July 1924 (USA)
Production Co: Reel Comedies Inc.
Sound Mix: Silent
Color: Black and White
Genres: Short | Comedy

Friday, May 11, 2012

Don't Park There - 1924


Country: United States
Director: Fred Guiol
Writers: Tay Garnett, H.M. Walker (titles)
Stars: Will Rogers and Marie Mosquini
Release Date: 22 June 1924 (USA)
Production Co: Hal Roach Studios
Sound Mix: Silent
Color: Black and White 

Ready For Reno - 1924


Country: United States
Director: Archie Mayo
Stars: Bobby Vernon, Duane Thompson
Production company:  Christie Film Company

Won by a Fowl - 1917


Country: United States
Director: William Beaudine
Stars: Claire Anderson, Joseph Belmont and Paddy McGuire
Release Date: 25 November 1917 (USA)
Production Co: Keystone Film Company
Sound Mix: Silent
Color: Black and White
Genres: Comedy | Short

Derby Day - 1923


Country: United States
Director: Robert F. McGowan
Writers: Hal Roach (story), H.M. Walker (titles)
Stars: Charles A. Bachman, Joe Cobb and Jackie Condon
Release Date: 18 November 1923 (USA)
Production Co: Hal Roach Studios
Sound Mix: Silent
Color: Black and White
Plot Keywords: Race Track | Derby | Boy | Horse Race | Goat  | Lemonade Stand | Mule |
Hot Dog | Horse Owner | Cow | Dog | Puppy Love | Band | Jockey | Dust Cloud | Policeman | Stealing Food | Girl | Sneaking In Without Paying | Fat Girl | Cat Versus Dog | Silent Comedy | Our Gang | Chinese Boy | Black Boy | Taking Off Pants | Fat Boy | Betting On Horse | Stable | Actor Shares First Name With Character
Genres: Short | Comedy | Family | Sport
After the gang goes to the horse races, they decide to have a derby of their own.
With a little bit of capital (specifically fifty cents) the gang is able to set up a lemonade stand and an adjoining hot dog stand near a race track. Mary stops by for some lemonade, while nearly charming the boys out of their socks. As the daughter of a horse owner, she manages to sneak them inside the track to watch the race. The whole thing is terribly exciting; and it gives Mickey an idea. The gang quickly abandons the idea of selling food and drink. Instead, they create their own race track. Of course, their own derby day is not quite like the adult version. Instead of horses, one boy has a cow, another a mule; a third rides in cart driven by a goat and a fourth in a dog-driven cart. Farina, whose vehicle is a tricycle, spikes the water of some of the animals beforehand. Before the race is through, the animals will be too drunk, lazy or overworked to finish. The horse race becomes a foot race.
Quotes
[first title card]
Title Card: Betting on a horse isn't the quickest way to lose money ~~ But it's the surest.
Title Card: The Gang ~ They have established a big business on borrowed capital ~ somebody loaned them fifty cents ~
Title Card: Jack ~ Some neighbors say he'll be hanged when he grows up ~ Others hope it will happen sooner ~
Mickey: The lemonade is great! Nobody'll ever know the pup fell in it ~
Title Card: Sing Joy ~~ Popular with the gang ~~ They can all lick him ~~
Title Card: The Horse Owner ~ He's not exactly dishonest ~ But is broadminded on the subject ~~
Ernie: Talk Inglish ~ Ah don't understand chop sooey!
Title Card: Derby Day ~ When a small boy gets a "great idea" there's only one safe thing for the neighbors to do ~ Move out ~
[last lines]
Mickey: Cops! The plant's pinched!