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

Darren Reid

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

A reconstruction of the life and cultural significance of Marceline Orbes, the early 20th century performing artist who inspired Chaplin and Keaton but took his own life when his career failed. A trans-media article, this piece includes not only a historic inquiry into the role played by Orbes in establishing the 20th century's comedic canon, it includes a reconstruction of his only (and since lost) silent film from 1915.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2
JournalThe Appendix
Volume2
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - 6 Nov 2014

Keywords

  • silent film
  • sociology
  • comedy
  • cinema
  • theatre
  • performing arts

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities(all)
  • History
  • Visual Arts and Performing Arts

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    • Activities

    • 1 Public Engagement Event

    Cinematic Release - Looking for Charlie

    Darren Reid (Speaker)
    5 May 2018 → 30 Jun 2019

    Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Public Engagement Event

    Research Output

    • 1 Article
    • 1 Digital or Visual Media

    Looking for Charlie: Life and Death in the Silent Era

    Reid, D. & Sanders, B., 5 May 2018

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

    • 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

    Open Access
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    • 1 Citation (Scopus)
    149 Downloads (Pure)

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