Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 464
•
Trim: 7¼ x 10¼
978-1-4422-3649-3 • Hardback • October 2014 • $116.00 • (£89.00)
978-1-4422-3650-9 • eBook • October 2014 • $110.00 • (£85.00)
James Roots is currently Executive Director of the Canadian Association of the Deaf. A book reviewer for more than 20 years, he has written frequently on silent film, especially comedy.
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
Arrangement of Entries
Scorecard
The First Rank:
1. Charlie Chaplin
2. Buster Keaton
3. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy
4. Charley Chase
5. Harold Lloyd
6. Harry Langdon
7. Mabel Normand
8. Roscoe Arbuckle
9. Douglas Fairbanks
10. Raymond Griffith
The Second Rank:
11. Sidney Drew
12. Phyllis Haver
13. Our Gang
14. Jobyna Ralston
15. Anita Garvin
16. Bebe Daniels
17. Ton of Fun
18. Max Linder
19. Ford Sterling
20. Max Davidson
21. Lupino Lane
22. Larry Semon
23. Edgar Kennedy
24. Mack Swain
25. Fay Tincher
26. Supporting ladies and gents
27. Gale Henry
28. Mae Busch
29. Ben Turpin
30. Charley Bowers
31. Lloyd Hamilton
32. Louise Fazenda
33. John Bunny
34. Harry Gribbon
35. Vernon Dent
36. Hank Mann
37. Alice Howell
38. Polly Moran
39. Jack Duffy
40. Charlie Murray
41. Jimmy Finlayson
The Third Rank:
42. Harry McCoy
43. Alice Ardell
44. Wallace Beery
45. Monty Banks
46. Chester Conklin
47. Bobby Vernon
48. Paul Parrott
49. Snub Pollard
50. Marie Prevost
51. Sydney Chaplin
52. Al St. John
53. Dorothy Dwan
54. Victor Moore
55. Joe Rock
56. Madeline Hurlock
57. Billy Bevan
58. Dorothy Devore
59. Minta Durfee
60. Alice Day
61. Slim Summerville
62. Andy Clyde
63. Glenn Tryon
The Fourth Rank:
64. Fred Mace
65. Billy Dooley
66. Billy Quirk
67. Johnny Hines
68. Victor Potel
69. Monty Collins
70. Augustus Carney
71. Bud Jamison
72. Phil Dunham
73. Clyde Cook
74. Bud Duncan
75. Mack Sennett
76. Lee Moran and Eddie Lyons
77. Lige Conley
78. Tom Kennedy
79. Jimmy Aubrey
80. Neal Burns
81. Billy Franey
82. Glen Cavender
83. Douglas MacLean
84. Max Asher
85. Bobby Ray
86. Billy Engle
87. Sid Smith
88. Billy Bletcher
89. Walter Hiers
90. Paddy McGuire
91. Jack Cooper
92. Billy West
93. Eddie Boland
94. Flora Finch
95. Milburn Morante
96. Billie Ritchie
97. Earl Mohan
98. Billy Reeves
99. Hughie Mack
100. Cliff Bowes
Appendix: Also-Rans, Missed the Cut, Left No Surviving Legacy, Or Otherwise Were Not Included in the Top 100
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Roots developed a highly personalized scheme of ranking comic actors of the silent film genre on such criteria as funniness, creativity, timelessness, and appeal, assigning numbers that culminate for each in a scorecard of 100 possible points (plus 10, allowing for 'intangibles'). Each entry provides an image (for most of the 100 comedians), a film list, and a career overview, with comments on individual films and their availability in DVD format. . . .Roots admits to having 'participated enthusiastically in Internet site chats' for over 20 years, which perhaps explains why his treatment is more an entertainment blog in print than a scholarly reference work. It's not so much about Roots's subjects as about his feelings about them and how humorously he can express those feelings. This may be amusing to some readers, mean-spirited to others, or—in true blog fashion—both.
— Choice
Roots' decidedly personal touch permeates his biographies cum filmographies cum critiques of silent-film comedy stars. He boldly arranges the entries in ranked order, from the top star (Charlie Chaplin) through the next 99. Frank assessments reinforce the chutzpah of the rankings, describing last-place Cliff Bowles' Weak Knees as 'absolutely forgettable. I can't even remember what Bowles looks like while he's still on the screen.' The total of scores on six criteria (e.g., funny, creativity, timelessness, intangibles) applied elastically generates the rankings. Most entries include a photo along with a list of the comedian's films, a biography critiquing his or her work, no-holds-barred capsule reviews of selected films, and a list of those available on DVD. . . .[F]ans of the format will enjoy Roots' sometimes quirky and consistently unabashed assessments of talent; part of the enjoyment may be in disagreeing.
— Booklist
In one of the most interesting and important books on film history to be released this year, author James Roots offers a fascinating look at the development, the substance, and the significance of 100 comedians who starred in silent comedies. In an era when so many of the more obscure comedians’ work is readily available on DVD, a book like The 100 Greatest Silent Film Comedians fills a genuine need. The book is essentially a primer, introducing people to an era of film history that has received a lot of attention, but mostly focusing on comedy buffs that already have an initial interest and some background knowledge. Gathering 100 silent comedians, ranking them as to how funny, timeless, and substantial their work is, and listing them accordingly is the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to get an initial understanding as to how vast and versatile screen comedy’s history has been. This is not to say that the book is limited to newcomers. Old, grizzled comedy buffs will also find a great deal of merit in Roots’ study. Within the author’s subjective opinions there lurks a great amount of historical detail that is especially interesting when discussing some of the lesser known comedians on the long end of the list. . . .The 100 Greatest Silent Film Comedians” is value packed with historical and critical information, not only stats and trivia, but enough assessment and discussion to make it an extremely effective primer for those with a developing interest in comedy film’s rich history. This book is obviously recommended to silent film buffs, as even the most learned will likely gain even more knowledge, especially on the lesser known comedians. However, this book is an absolute must for any library or research center that attempts at being at all comprehensive. If a younger viewer moves past the master works of Chaplin or Keaton and discovers some of the lesser-known comedians on DVD or cable television, and it inspires a subsequent interest in knowing more about them, this book is the perfect introduction. The 100 Greatest Silent Film Comedians is an extensive, thorough, fascinating look at one of the most interesting periods, and genres, in screen history. It receives the highest possible recommendation.
— The Examiner
Most books about films are written by film critics, historians or theorists. ‘100 Silent Film Comedians’ is different in that it is written by a self-confessed film fan. . . .Accompanying each actor is a (helpful) photograph acting as a reminder and a reference point as well as incomplete filmographies and comments on stand-out, representative or ill-judged films that they appeared in. As a reference book this is invaluable.
— Filmwerk
The 100 Greatest Silent Film Comedians now focuses the spotlight on many of the minor individuals and is clearly a labour of love on the part of author James Roots. Silent comedy film buffs will surely welcome this volume if only to study the rankings assigned to each performer and how Roots justifies his figures. The work is written in a style which will surely stimulate the interest of its readers. The volume is a pleasure to dip into and should be available in the reference departments of most public libraries. It should interest a considerable sector of the general public especially anyone addicted to quiz competitions. It will also make a useful Christmas or birthday present for anyone interested in the origins of the film industry.
— Reference Reviews
Roots’ deep knowledge of, and appreciation of, these films allows him to address many controversial topics and counter several generally received opinions about these artists, their contributions, and behind-the-scenes controversies. He is well read in the field and is not afraid of taking on well-known critics and their opinions and uses an entertaining writing style to make his points. . . .Recommended for all libraries with film studies collections or interest in the history of film.
— American Reference Books Annual
• Winner, The Huffington Post: Best Film Books of 2014