Silent Clowns Film Series (2/11/23)

 Fatty’s Plucky Pup (1915)
Tramp, Tramp Tramp (1926)

 Fatty’s Plucky Pup was … interesting. Fatty Arbuckle did the usual slapstick schtick. Oddly, the pup (Luke) didn’t enter the film until about halfway through. Interestingly, the writer of the Notes, Steve Massa, mentioned a few famous silent film dogs in his opening remarks, including Teddy, the Great Dane. Per Wikipedia: Teddy the Dog or Keystone Teddy (1910/11 – May 17, 1925) was the most famous animal actor associated with the Mack Sennett studios. The Great Dane was one of only three (with Mabel Normand and Roscoe Arbuckle) of the studio's stars whose name appeared in the title of a film (Teddy at the Throttle). 

Also mentioned was Pete the Pup. And, from Wikipedia: Pete the Pup (original, 1924 – June 1930; second Pete, September 9, 1929 – January 28, 1946) was a character in Hal Roach's Our Gang comedies (later known as The Little Rascals) during the 1930s, otherwise known as "Pete, the dog with the ring around his eye", or simply "Petey". 

Per Wikiwanda (who knew?): Luke the Dog (1913–1926) was a Staffordshire Terrier that performed as a recurring character in American silent comedy shorts between 1914 and 1920. He was also the personal pet of actress Minta Durfee and her husband, the comedian and director Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. 

The film was fun. The dog was great. 

I had never heard of Harry Langdon before attending this double bill. He was funny, but in a subdued way. Tramp, Tramp … referred to a walking contest/race from the East Coast to the West Coast. There were many holes in the plot, including the final two competitors running to the finish line. Of a walking race. Need I say more? Yes! The female love interest was Joan Crawford. 

I may watch other Harry Langdon films, but I’m not sure I’ll seek them out.

As always, Ben Model provided stellar (and lengthy!) live piano accompaniment.

ConcertMeister