A bit of a misnomer, as these two were Westerns with comedy (or perceived comedy) actors in lead roles. Way Out West (1920), starring Hank Mann and The Round-Up (1920), starring Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.
Both films were part of the Library of Congress 35mm restoration process, so the prints were in very good shape. “Way Out West” was a two-reeler with a bit of slapstick involving a crooked sheriff, robbing a stagecoach, and gunpowder sowed instead of onion seeds. Did I mention slapstick?
“The Round-Up” vaulted Roscoe Arbuckle into a starring role, though not in a comedy (where he had built his history). So while it was “dramatic,” he also inserted comedy bits throughout. A lovey-dovey couple, the beau going away to prospect, double-dealing by the best friend, robbery/murder, half-breed Indians, death, all accompanied with live piano playing!
A mild rebuke. The feature was originally a seven-reeler (turned into three, via the LoC); as a result there were two mini-intermissions with slides shown saying “The film will resume in a few moments,” etc., but every time that happened the auditorium lit up blue from folks checking email/Facebook/texting. Really? You can’t place yourself back into an earlier era and enjoy the show? You’re watching silent films in a reproduction of the silent film era. Embrace the experience!
Kudos, as always, to Bruce Lawson and Steve Massa, and especially Ben Model for the live accompaniment.
I'm probably going to look into a biography of Arbuckle now to explore the “scandal.”
ConcertMeister
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