Curated by Nelson Hughes
Co-organized and co-hosted by Tommy José StathesJoin the Facebook event!What do feuding sailors, humanized Model T Fords, nutjobs on the loose and talking animals all have in common? Easy–you’ll see them all in this installment of That Slapstick Show! We’ll enjoy extremely rare all-talking comedies from the early 1930s courtesy of the Ralph Celentano film collection.

This *outdoor* installment of That Slapstick Show! will focus on the artful highs and the woeful lows of filmmaking during Hollywood’s “Golden Age” of early sound productions. The addition of sound to films initially presented new challenges to filmmakers who churned out these comedies for depression-era moviegoers, some of which will be apparent in this evening’s selections.

Some of the highlights will examine the work of selected silent-era comedians during the sound era including the popular Slim Summerville. Also on tap will be Al Christie’s superstar Bobby Vernon in what would be his last on-screen appearance. We’ll also present some bizarre rarities from Pathé Film Exchange as well as ‘poverty row’ production company Tiffany’s answer to MGM’s Dogville comedies: the all-talking Tiffany Chimps. Rounding out the program will be a rare Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle directed two reeler produced for RKO, and, closing out the show will be the obscure comedy team of Walter Catlett and fan favorite, Eugene Pallette.

So, join us where it all began—at The City Reliquary’s beautiful backyard! It’s an early-sound-comedy-under-the-stars spectacular as we move into a season of marvelous Fall programming.

Admission: $10 at the door. Beverages available by suggested donation. Beer courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery!