Looking for Charlie: Life and Death in the Silent Era

Darren Reid; Brett Sanders

Looking for Charlie: Life and Death in the Silent Era

Darren Reid (Director), Brett Sanders (Director)

Research output: Practice-Based and Non-textual Research › Digital or Visual Media

Abstract

A feature-length exploration of the relationship between Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and the forgotten generation of vaudevillians who preceded them. This academic documentary film is an in-depth inquiry into the ways in which comedy has historically interacted with depression and mental illness. It is also a critical review of the ways in which memory operates in the cinematic tradition, paying particular attention to how silent era comedians captured otherwise lost theatrical performances and were, in turn, captured and memorialised in subsequent generations.

This film was released to cinemas and museums in the UK in 2018 and will launch on streaming services in 2019.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Coventry
Publisher	Studio Academe
Edition	1
Media of output	Film
Size	80 minutes
Publication status	Published - 5 May 2018

Keywords

charlie chaplin
Buster Keaton
Silent film
cinema
film studies
film and media
film and television
Cinematography -- History
theatre
history
MENTAL HEALTH

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1 Public Engagement Event

Cinematic Release - Looking for Charlie
Reid, D. (Speaker)
5 May 2018 → 30 Jun 2019
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Public Engagement Event

2 Article
1 Book

Documentary Making for Digital Humanists
Reid, D. R. & Sanders, B., Nov 2021, Open Book Publishers. 298 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review

Open Access

1 Citation (Scopus)
The Clown Suicides: The Death and Cinematic Afterlife of Marceline Orbes and Francis “Slivers” Oakley, New York's Superstar Clowns, in Charlie Chaplin’s Limelight
Reid, D., 1 Oct 2017, In: Studies in American Humor. 3, 2, p. 157-177 21 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
File
1 Citation (Scopus)

949 Downloads (Pure)
Silent Film Killed the Clown: Recovering the Lost Life and Silent Film of Marceline Orbes, the Suicidal Clown of the New York Hippodrome, 1905-1915
Reid, D., 6 Nov 2014, In: The Appendix. 2, 4, 2.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

Paris Cinema Award - Best Feature Length Documentary
Reid, D. (Recipient), Mar 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)

Cite this

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title = "Looking for Charlie: Life and Death in the Silent Era",

abstract = "A feature-length exploration of the relationship between Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and the forgotten generation of vaudevillians who preceded them. This academic documentary film is an in-depth inquiry into the ways in which comedy has historically interacted with depression and mental illness. It is also a critical review of the ways in which memory operates in the cinematic tradition, paying particular attention to how silent era comedians captured otherwise lost theatrical performances and were, in turn, captured and memorialised in subsequent generations.This film was released to cinemas and museums in the UK in 2018 and will launch on streaming services in 2019.",

keywords = "charlie chaplin, Buster Keaton, Silent film, cinema, film studies, film and media, film and television, Cinematography -- History, theatre, history, MENTAL HEALTH",

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AB - A feature-length exploration of the relationship between Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and the forgotten generation of vaudevillians who preceded them. This academic documentary film is an in-depth inquiry into the ways in which comedy has historically interacted with depression and mental illness. It is also a critical review of the ways in which memory operates in the cinematic tradition, paying particular attention to how silent era comedians captured otherwise lost theatrical performances and were, in turn, captured and memorialised in subsequent generations.This film was released to cinemas and museums in the UK in 2018 and will launch on streaming services in 2019.

KW - charlie chaplin

KW - Buster Keaton

KW - Silent film

KW - cinema

KW - film studies

KW - film and media

KW - film and television

KW - Cinematography -- History

KW - theatre

KW - history

KW - MENTAL HEALTH

M3 - Digital or Visual Media

PB - Studio Academe

CY - Coventry

ER -

Looking for Charlie: Life and Death in the Silent Era

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

Fingerprint

Activities

Cinematic Release - Looking for Charlie

Research output

Documentary Making for Digital Humanists

The Clown Suicides: The Death and Cinematic Afterlife of Marceline Orbes and Francis “Slivers” Oakley, New York's Superstar Clowns, in Charlie Chaplin’s Limelight

Silent Film Killed the Clown: Recovering the Lost Life and Silent Film of Marceline Orbes, the Suicidal Clown of the New York Hippodrome, 1905-1915

Prizes

Paris Cinema Award - Best Feature Length Documentary

Cite this