Silent comedy pioneer Mack Sennett considered Harry Langdon the best comedian he'd ever seen--and Sennett worked with Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Roscoe Arbuckle, and W.C. Fields!

 

For a time in the 1920s, audiences agreed with Sennett: Langdon was the screen's most popular comedian next to Chaplin. He directly influenced (and wrote for) Laurel and Hardy; he launched the career of Frank "It's a Wonderful Life" Capra, and he made funny movies--weird, wonderful, sometimes perplexing funny movies.This multi-disc DVD set collects most of his work at Sennett's studio.

 

Digitally remastered from original negatives and archival preservation material, this essential collection also features new restorations of several previously "lost" films. The presentations are accompanied by original musical scores, audio commentaries by silent film historians, rare clips, and a documentary featurette covering Langdon's career.Produced with the cooperation of Film Preservation Associates and Lobster Films, with the assistance of the Mack Sennett Collection at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Special thanks to Getty Images and the many private collectors who made this set possible

 

Disc One:

Picking Peaches Feb 3, 1924 • 21:30
Source material from Richard M. Roberts • Music by Andrew Simpson • Commentary by Richard M. Roberts

Smile Please March 2, 1924 • 18:32
Source material from Lobster Films and Film Preservation Associates • Music by Maurice Saylor • Commentary by Ben Model, Steve Massa, Bruce Lawton, and Robert Arkus

His New Mamma June 22, 1924 • 15:15
Partial restoration using source material from Getty Images, Lobster Films, and David Kalat • Music by Andrew Simpson • Commentary by Ben Model, Steve Massa, Bruce Lawton, Robert Arkus, and David Kalat
 

The First 100 Years Aug 17, 1924 • 13:19
Partial restoration using source material from Lobster Films • Music by Andrew Simpson • Commentary by Wayne Powers and David Kalat

Luck o' the Foolish Sept 14, 1924 • 21:13
Source material from Lobster Films and Jack Roth, special thanks to Ulrich Ruedel • Music by Maurice Saylor • Commentary by Wayne Powers and David Kalat

The Hansom Cabman Oct 12, 1924 • 19:25
Source material from Lobster Films • Music by Andrew Simpson • Commentary by David Kalat

Bonus features:
Horace Greely, Jr. June 9, 1925 • 1:42
Filmed in 1923 for Principal Pictures, presented here as a fragment • Music by Andrew Simpson • Audio commentary by Jules White (archival recording)

The Funny Manns episode 4 • 9:28
This 1961 syndicated TV series adapts HIS NEW MAMMA for a new audience.

The Funny Manns episode 68 • 9:19
This 1961 syndicated TV series adapts LUCK O’ THE FOOLISH.

Catalina, Here I Come April 17, 1927 • 17:21
One of a series of faux-Langdon comedies starring Eddie Quillan made after Langdon left the studio. • Source material from Film Preservation Associates • Music by Denis Malloy

Disc Two:

All Night Long Nov 9, 1924 • 19:29
Source material from Film Preservation Associates • Music by Phil Carluzzo • Commentary by Richard M. Roberts
 

Feet of Mud Dec 7, 1924 • 17:34
Source material from Film Preservation Associates • Music by Phil Carluzzo • Commentary by Ben Model, Steve Massa, Bruce Lawton, and Robert Arkus

The Sea Squawk Jan 4, 1925 • 18:42
Source material from Lobster Films • Piano score in 1920s style • Commentary by Ben Model, Steve Massa, Bruce Lawton, and Robert Arkus

Boobs in the Wood Feb 1, 1925 • 19:52
Source material from Film Preservation Associates and Wayne Powers • Music by Maurice Saylor • Commentary by Richard M. Roberts

His Marriage Wow Mar 1, 1925 • 20:39
Source material from David Kalat • Music by Ben Redwine • Commentary by Ben Model, Steve Massa, Bruce Lawton, and Robert Arkus

Plain Clothes March 29, 1925 • 15:47
Source material from Ed Watz •Music by Andrew Simpson • Commentary by Ed Watz

Remember When April 26, 1925 • 19:04
Source material from Film Preservation Associates and David Kalat • Music by Maurice Saylor • Commentary by David Kalat

Bonus features:
Lost and Found 12:12
A one-reel Comedy Capers digest version of REMEMBER WHEN
Photo Gallery

Disc Three:

Lucky Stars Aug 16, 1925 • 21:24
Source material from Film Preservation Associates • Music by Andrew Simpson • Commentary by Ken Gordon

Saturday Afternoon Jan 31, 1926 • 27:12
Source material from Film Preservation Associates and David Kalat • Music by Maurice Saylor • Commentary by Ken Gordon

Fiddlesticks April 1, 1926 • 19:55
Source material from Film Preservation Associates • Music by Maurice Saylor • Commentary by Ben Model, Steve Massa, Bruce Lawton, Robert Arkus and David Kalat

Soldier Man May 1, 1926 • 31:13
Originally filmed as a 4-reel feature, eventually released after Langdon left Sennett in the 3 reel version shown here • Source material from Film Preservation Associates • Music by Andrew Simpson • Commentary by Ken Gordon

His First Flame May 3, 1927 • 44:36
The first feature Harry Langdon made, but not released until after LONG PANTS • New restored version by Harold Casselton and David Kalat from source material provided by the Larson-Casselton Collection • Music by Franklin Stover • Commentary by David Kalat

Bonus features:
Saturday Afternoon
One reel Pathegrams condensation of Langdon's best known short
Heart Trouble: PDF reprint of original presskit, for viewing in a DVD-ROM drive

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Disc Four:

Knight Duty May 7, 1933 • 21:03
Source material from Lobster Films and David Kalat • Commentary by Ben Model, Steve Massa, Bruce Lawton, and Robert Arkus

Hooks and Jabs Aug 25, 1933 • 18:31
Source material from David Kalat • Commentary by Hooman Mehran and David Kalat, with archival audio of Mrs. Eunice Dent and Nell O’Day provided by Ed Watz

Love, Honor and Obey (the Law) 1935 • 21:31
Harry Langdon and Monte Collins in a 1935 industrial film intended to promote Goodrich Tires • Source material from Ralph Celentano and David Kalat • Commentary by Ben Model, Steve Massa, Bruce Lawton and Robert Arkus

LOST AND FOUND
An original feature length documentary on the life and films of Harry Langdon featuring various rare clips, photographs, and interviews with film historians

Bonus features:
Hal Roach Announcement June 1929 • 7:12
Never screened for the public, this rare short introduces Langdon as the newest “All-Star” on the Lot of Fun. Source material provided by Alan Boyd

Voice of Hollywood 1930 • 9:00
Harry Langdon speaks on screen for the first time publicly.

Hollywood on Parade episode 4 • 7:57
Langdon contributes a brief cameo in this star-studded short.

Home Movies circa 1936 • 6:14
Harry relaxes at home with wife Mable and son Harry Jr. Source material provided by Paul E. Gierucki

Fashions of 1942 1942 • 2:39
Harry Langdon sings!