A happy droplet among much horribleness so far in 2020 is fantastic news on the classic comedy movie front. Harry Langdon and Laurel & Harry collections are on the way later this year - and a Kickstarter is underway to fund a comedy compilation of films starring the great star of the British stage and movies (both in England and America), Lupino Lane.
This very worthy Kickstarter, funding a compilation using ultra-rare 35mm prints from international archives, deserves enthusiastic support!
The double-jointed acrobatic comedian starred for decades on the London stage and music halls. When the young "Nipper" Lane played the music halls, he was one of Stan Laurel's boyhood idols. Born on June 16, 1892, Lane was exactly two years younger than Stan.
Among the greatest pure physical comics to appear in movies, Lane starred in truly wonderful silent two-reel comedies throughout the 1920's.
The diminutive comedian performs seemingly impossible stunts, over and over and over!
Producer and organizer Dave Glass elaborates on the Lupino Lane Collection's contents:
“We’re delighted to say that we have some exceptional prints (most are 2K scans of nitrate) of some VERY rare films.
Through the generosity of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, Elif & Co at the EYE Film Museum and Patrick Stanbury (Photoplay) we present the following films:
Hello Sailor (1927) (one of the special event hits at the Pordenone Film Festival in 2019)
Sword Points (1928) (35mm 4K restoration)
Fisticuffs (1928)
Summer Saps (1929) (complete 2 reel version!)
Good Night Nurse (1929) (new scan of 35mm nitrate)
Battling Sisters (1929) (hilarious gender reversal comedy)
Joyland (1929) (the complete ‘Toyland’ rarity – a Joy!)
If you are not familiar with Mr. Lane, here he is in a scene from The Love Parade co-starring the charming singer-dancer-actress-comedienne Lillian Roth. Yes, that is the Lillian Roth; she was subsequently cast in the Marx Brothers opus Animal Crackers as a punishment for rowdy on-set behavior in the making of her previous film, Madame Satan.
If that example of Lane's comedy does not convince you of his brilliance as a comedian and acrobat, here's another one: a duo routine with the equally talented icon of stage and screen, comedienne Beatrice Lillie.
After his career in American movies ended, Lane would be synonymous with British entertainment, star in English movies, as well as the musical stage hits, Me & My Girl. Lupino led the famous Lambeth Walk dance number, which he sings at 1:36 in the following clip.
There, he would remain an preeminent star of the stage and enjoy renewed prestige as one of England's premier show business icons.
Happily, the initial goal to get this off the starter's blocks has been met. The Kickstarter runs to March 13.
The gang at Way Too Damn Lazy To Write A Blog encourages supporting this, as more comedy rarities could be added to the Blu-ray/DVD collection.
Until then, Mr. Lane, bully and thanks for a million laughs!
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