There shall be great classic comedy in NYC on the big screen at MoMA all weekend. Kudos, bravos and tips of the Max Linder top hat go to Dave Kehr, Steve Massa, Ben Model, Rob Stone of The Library of Congress (and writer of Laurel Or Hardy: The Years Before The Teaming) and Hal Roach Studios expert Richard W. Bann for their roles in Seriously Funny: The Films of Leo McCarey , which started last weekend and extends through the end of the month.
For screen comedy geeks, just a few highlights from this weekend's programs: Friday night and Saturday afternoon show is the Roach Sound Shorts Program, starring several of our favorites at Way Too Down Lazy To Write A Blog: Charley Chase, Edgar Kennedy and Thelma Todd. The Saturday afternoon show presents Cary Grant and Irene Dunne in The Awful Truth.
The Saturday night show pays tribute to Laurel & Hardy and Sunday's program spotlights the very funny comedian Max Davidson.
Saturday night's Laurel and Hardy Tribute and Sunday's retrospective of Max Davidson comedies will be introduced by Rob Stone of The Library of Congress.
From the MoMa press release:
"McCarey had been promoted to director-general of the Roach organization in 1926 and supervised everything on the films — story, gags, screening the rushes, editing, and shooting retakes. Although he left the studio in 1929, he was on hand to start their transition to the new sound medium and left them with a number of scripts for their first talkie efforts. These extraordinary rarities, which represent McCarey’s last work for Roach, come to us through the courtesy of Roach historian Richard Bann, who will introduce both screenings."
Friday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Roach Sound Shorts Program - approx. 80 min.
The Big Squawk. 1929. USA. Directed by Warren Doane
Madame Q. 1929. USA. Directed by Hal Roach, Leo McCarey
Snappy Sneezer. 1929. USA. Directed by Warren Doane
Dad’s Day. 1929. USA. Directed by Hal Roach
Saturday, July 23, 7:00 p.m.
Laurel & Hardy Program - approx. 80 minutes
From Soup to Nuts. 1928. USA. Directed by E. Livingston Kennedy
Wrong Again. 1929. USA. Directed by Leo McCarey
Liberty. 1929. USA. Directed by Leo McCarey
Two Tars. 1928. USA. Directed by James Parrott
Sunday, July 24 at 5:00 p.m.
Max Davidson Program - 5:00 p.m.
Program approx. 80 min.
Jewish Prudence. 1927. USA. Directed by Leo McCarey
Don’t Tell Everything. 1927. USA. Directed by Leo McCarey
Should Second Husbands Come First? 1927. USA. Directed by Leo McCarey
Pass the Gravy. 1928. USA. Directed by Fred Guiol
For more, see the MoMA website and its descriptions of the Seriously Funny: The Films of Leo McCarey series.
1 comment:
Max Davidson is also remembered for his role as the crazy guy in the old house, in the Our Gang comedy "Moan & Groan, Inc." ("I know... but I won't tell you!")
Post a Comment