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DID A BOOK PROPOSAL on my favorite neglected comedian, Joe E. Brown (1892-1973). If the name does not ring a bell, think of writer/director Billy Wilder's 'Some Like It Hot' […]

The article offers information on John Bunny, who was the first international cinema comedy star of the U.S. It is stated that persona of Bunny could be called a template for the later screen character of W.C. Fields. It is noted that Bunny helped inaugurate the silent screen clown, Buster Keaton, who became the only real artistic rival to comedian Charlie Chaplin.

The author talks about letting comedians play darker characters in films. The author cites several comedians who have experimented with much darker characters. According to the author, explanations for these transitions range from an artist simply wanting a change of pace to seeking greater recognition as an actor. The author states that casting a comic in a serious part can produce an actor with greater range.

The article discusses the silent movie comedians and the writing a book on the silent movie comedian Buster Keaton and the feature films made by him during the period 1923-29. It also includes the work of the exceptional silent cinema critic Robert E. Sherwood and figuring Buster Keaton as the silent rival of silent auteur Charlie Chaplin.

The article presents information on Buster Keaton, one of the four comedians of the 1920s which was considered as the "Comedy's Greatest Era." Other three includes Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Harry Langdon. The article focuses on Keaton's features including "Day Dreams," "The General," and "College," which show how Keaton's world of surrealism meets existentialism.

The author reflects on his interest in the comedy films produced by entertainment company Paramount from the mid 1920s to the early 1980s. Topics covered include the author's excitement whenever the mountain logo of Paramount appeared on screen during his youth, his favorite comedians who used to worked for Paramount such as the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields and Mae West and the name established by the company for having producers who give more freedom to comedians and other genre filmmakers.

The article features comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. It discusses the comic elements of their everyman universality including their role in the shift of American humor from the capable character to the modern antihero. It describes the opposite characters of the duo. Having one foot in reality is the driving factor in the duo's popular art and was also the factor that motivated novelist Kurt Vonnegut to dedicate his book "Slapstick" to the comedians in 1976.

The article profiles comedian Charlie Chaplin. His popularity in the first century of the 20th century was so great that theater owners only had to display a cardboard image of him with the statement, I am here today, to attract a large audience. Even today, he is cited as the standard by which all film comedies are measured.

The article profiles comedian W. C. Fields. "The Old-Fashioned Way," is considered his best huckster motion picture. The alternate comedy personas of Fields were assisted greatly by the authors of two 1920s stage productions, namely Dorothy Donnelly of Broadway huckster play, "Poppy" and J. P. McEvoy of antiheroic musical comedy revue, "The Comic Supplement."

The article discusses the author's experience preparing a keynote address for a special ceremony at Ball State University awarding comedian Red Skelton with an honorary doctorate. He racalls comedy characters of Skelton including Mean Widdle Kid, Clem Kadiddlehopper and Cauliflower McPugg. The career of Skelton as comedian is highlighted.

Features actor-comedian Cary Grant. Difference of the style of Grant from other actors; Screwball comedy films starred by Grant; Romantic comedy films starred by Grant.

Focuses on theories about film and television comedians and the various comedy genres. Theory of superiority; Use of surprise in comedy; Impact of the concept of anticipation on the career of Jim Carrey and Charlie Chaplin.

Provides information on the release of the autobiography of actress Irene Dunne. Details of her career as a comedian actress; Information on her movies which include 'Theodora Goes Wild,' The Awful Truth' and 'My Favorite Wife'; Description of her approach and style in acting.