Harry Langdon: King of Silent Comedy

by Gabriella Oldham, Mabel Langdon, Harry Langdon Jr. (Foreword by)

Overview

Among silent film comedians, three names stand out—Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd—but Harry Langdon indisputably deserves to sit among them as the fourth "king." In films such as The Strong Man (1926) and Long Pants (1927), Langdon parlayed his pantomime talents, expressive eyes, and childlike innocence into silent-era stardom. This in-depth biography, which features behind-the-scenes accounts and personal recollections compiled by Langdon's late wife, provides a full and thoughtful picture of this multifaceted entertainer and his meteoric rise and fall.

Authors Gabriella Oldham and Mabel Langdon explore how the actor developed and honed his comedic skills in amateur shows, medicine shows, and vaudeville. Together they survey his early work on the stage at the turn of the twentieth century as well as his iconic routines and characters. They also evaluate his failures from the early sound period, including his decision to part ways with director Frank Capra. Despite his dwindling popularity following the introduction of talkies, Langdon persevered and continued to perform in theater, radio, and film—literally until his dying day—leaving behind a unique and brilliant body of work.

Featuring never-before-published stories and photos from his immediate family, this biography is a fascinating and revealing look at an unsung silent film giant.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813169675
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	04/18/2017
Series:	Screen Classics
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	358
File size:	8 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Gabriella Oldham is the author of First Cut: Conversations with Film Editors and First Cut 2: More Conversations with Film Editors. Her love of silent comedy inspired Keaton's Silent Shorts: Beyond the Laughter and a forthcoming book on silent film comediennes. Most recently, she published John Cassavetes: Interviews. She is also an educator and a writing coach. Mabel Langdon (1906–2001) was the wife of Harry Langdon. She promoted his legacy through international appearances at film retrospectives and in interviews.

Gabriella Oldham is the author of First Cut: Conversations with Film Editors and First Cut 2: More Conversations with Film Editors. Her love of silent comedy inspired Keaton’s Silent Shorts: Beyond the Laughter and a forthcoming book on silent film comediennes. Most recently, she published John Cassavetes: Interviews. She is also an educator and a writing coach.

Table of Contents

Foreword Harry Langdors Jr. vii

Introduction 1

1 Vaudeville Roots 7

2 Golden Silence 40

3 Elusive Stardom 152

4 The Stronger Man 197

5 Legacy 277

Acknowledgments 295

Filmography 297

Notes 307

Selected Bibliography 331

Index 335

Editorial Reviews

Outstanding. The Oldham biography of Landon is, at once, a historic tour de force and a labor of love.

Film International

This book gives a full, thoughtful, and compassionate picture of the strengths and weaknesses of this extraordinary comedian. Harry Langdon presents a vivid portrait of both the man and his work, from vaudevillian to movie star to creative gagman for Laurel and Hardy.

Joanna E. Rapf

Harry Langdon used to be considered a neglected figure in the history of silent comedy. That's no longer the case, as he has been the subject of several books as well as chapters in surveys of the period. Gabriela Oldham's useful narrative is built on the foundation of interviews she conducted with Langdon's widow Mabel decades ago. This helps her paint a well-rounded picture of the man behind the comic persona.

LeonardMaltin.com

"This book gives a full, thoughtful, and compassionate picture of the strengths and weaknesses of this extraordinary comedian. Harry Langdon presents a vivid portrait of both the man and his work, from vaudevillian to movie star to creative gagman for Laurel and Hardy." — Joanna E. Rapf, coeditor of A Companion to Film Comedy

"With valuable details on Langdon's early life, discussions of his comedy routines, and miniessay endnotes, this is recommended as an overdue tribute to an overlooked master." — Library Journal

"Harry Langdon used to be considered a neglected figure in the history of silent comedy. That's no longer the case, as he has been the subject of several books as well as chapters in surveys of the period. Gabriela Oldham's useful narrative is built on the foundation of interviews she conducted with Langdon's widow Mabel decades ago. This helps her paint a well-rounded picture of the man behind the comic persona." — LeonardMaltin.com

"Outstanding. The Oldham biography of Landon is, at once, a historic tour de force and a labor of love." — Film International

From the Publisher

04/01/2017
Some have called Harry Langdon (1884–1944) the "fourth king of silent comedy," just behind Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd in the pantheon. Noted for his sad, childlike face and a body racked by "flitting hesitant motions," Langdon pursued a life on the stage, working his way up through medicine shows, the circus, and Vaudeville. Hollywood eventually beckoned, and he became part of director Mack Sennett's famed comedy team, appearing alongside Sennett's "bathing beauties." Langdon's relationship with Sennett was rocky, and he also had a difficult later relationship with writer, gagman, and director Frank Capra, who claimed Langdon was crippled by the "virus of conceit," and Capra helped fix Langdon's image as a tragic figure in the public's mind. Unlike other comedy masters, Langdon didn't always play to his strengths, dividing both audiences and critics. The coming of sound and shifting public tastes unmoored him, and money troubles compounded by his two divorces led him to work in unsuitable projects. However, contrary to popular belief, he enjoyed a late-career modest comeback and a measure of personal happiness. VERDICT With valuable details on Langdon's early life, discussions of his comedy routines, and miniessay endnotes, this is recommended as an overdue tribute to an overlooked master.—Stephen Rees, formerly with Levittown Lib., PA

Library Journal