February 5, 2012 by Scott W. Smith
?When we speak of silent comedy we speak instantly of three names?Chaplin, Loyd, Keaton.?
Walter Kerr
The Silent Clowns?
The eyes of the world are on the Midwest today. Tomorrow they could shift back to the Middle East and Israel vs. Iran. But for at least a few hours during Super Bowl XLVI it will be New England vs. New York.?
One-third of the entire United States population will be focused?on the game (or the commercials) ?as the Patriots battle the Giants in Indianapolis, Indiana. ?(The game will also be broadcast in more than 200 countries.)
I thought it would be a fun challenege ?to see if I could connect the silent film era that I have been writing about recently with the Super Bowl. And so here?s Harold Loyd Vs. Buster Keaton debate. (I didn?t include Chaplin because he recently had his own post?Mr. Silent Films?plus he didn?t make a film about football.)
Despite Loyd being famous for his clock management, and Rudy-like zeal (Indiana reference #2) despite not being that gifted?he was only a first year player in?The Freshman (1925):
Keaton would appear to have the advantage because as Walter Kerr ?pointed out,??Keaton ran so often during the twelve features he made in the 1920?s that the sprint became a trademark.? ??And, in fact, he did run a good deal in??Three Ages??(1923):
And the winner is?Buster Keaton. Why three reason:
1) First, Keaton not only starred in Three Ages, but his also credited as producing, directing and writing the film.
2) The Freshman was said to be pirated H.C. Witwer?s short story, The Emancipation of Rodney.
3) I trust drama critic Walter Kerr?s (1913-1996) assessment in his book The Silent Clowns: ??Let Chaplin be king and let Keaton court jester. The king effectively rules, the jester tells the truth.?
P.S. Kerr was born in Evanston, IL just about 200 miles north from today?s game and received his BA and MA from Northwestern, on his way to becoming a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer in criticism.
P.P.S. Just for some added Midwest mojo, Buster Keaton was born in Piqua, Kansas and Harold Loyd was born in Burchard, Nebraska?more unlikely places for Hollywood icons to come from. Talent comes from everywhere.
Scott W. Smith?
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