Looking for Mabel Normand

Madcap Mabel Normand

MABEL'S LOG

Mabel Normand in a dream of California website

Life in Los Angeles was a dream, is a dream, will be a dream but to see my city though the eyes of Delores Hanney is to wake to a new view. It is important to understanding the familiar to see it in a new way. I have known Delores for a number of years and think of her a one of my best friends… a real friend, so sometimes I forget what a fantastic artistic soul dwells within her heart. Do you want proof? She has written an extraordinary mythical journal of the Los Angeles as she dreamed Mabel Normand might have known it. enjoyMarilyn"Looking-for-Mabel"http://www.mabel-in-paradise.webs.com/New Blog on films created by Anthony Balducci

Anthony Balducci has a new film blog: http://anthonybalducci.blogspot.com/His Lloyd Hamilton: Poor Boy Comedian of Silent Cinema, a biography of Lloyd Hamilton is due to be released in April 2009, published by McFarland.Anthony started out in the 1970's writing film articles for small journals and newspapers, including Film Collector's World. He is currently in negotiations with the estate of Betty Hutton to write a biography on Ms. Hutton. His new blog features articles on Hamilton, Laurel & Hardy, the Three Stooges, and other comedy stars. The Three Stooges Go To Heaven The Tragedy of Lost Films Smile, Bud Duncan, Smile Lost Films of Charley Bowers I See Laurel and Hardy Lloyd Hamilton: Poor Boy Comedian of Silent Cinema,

At first glance, Lloyd Hamilton was simply a large, baby-faced comic who wore a checkered cap and walked like a duck. Beyond the surface, however, Hamilton had much more to offer than an iconic look and persona. In his performances, Hamilton demonstrated keen timing and an inventive mind, providing humor rich in both emotion and self-observation for a career that spanned over 20 years. But perhaps most importantly, Hamilton was greatly admired by his fellow comics as a true 'comedian's comedian' receiving overwhelming praise from no less than Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and other comic greats. This book explores Hamilton's life and work, beginning with his conservative middle-class childhood, which set him apart from most early slapstick comedy stars who came from theatrical backgrounds with broken or poor immigrant families. The story continues through the comic's early entry into show business as a theatre extra, his most memorable role as the stocky, crass half of silent comedy's 'Ham and Bud' duo, his first feature film "The Darker Self", and many other career benchmarks. The author also examines Hamilton's troublesome private life and his descent into alcoholism, evaluating how the decline of Hamilton's health and career led to his death at the age of 43. The book includes several exclusive photos from the Hamilton family, along with a comprehensive filmography including detailed plot descriptions, behind-the-scenes facts, and an in-depth analysis of Hamilton's critical lost feature film "A Self-Made Failure".

Mabel Made Us Laugh

Last Wednesday (January 21) PBS Public Broadcast Services aired a segment of their series called “Make ‘em Laugh”, which created a discussion at the Yahoo Mabel Normand Group. I thought I should say something here. For me to simplify history to the point that it negates the social significance of Keystone in the history of Slapstick comedy to just a passing reference in the overall telling of the development of comedy and relegating Mack Sennett to little more than a footnote, is bad enough but the PBS total lack of understanding of Mabel Normand’s contribution is sad, horrendously sad. There were no Slapstick silent films without

Mabel. If you saw it you will understand my righteous anger, it is not OK to exclude Mabel.