11,726 stories by "Trav S.D."
This is part of a continuing series on Hollywood shows biz bio-pics. The preceding three parts (this, this, and this) focused on bio-pics from the classic studio era. An upcoming post will c…
It’s long been an observation of mine that our greatest (male) film comedians have as one of the chief quivers in their arsenals the ability to go into “female.” What I ref…
I can’t believe it’s been five years since we reviewed Jeff Nichols’ delightful memoir Trainwreck and the movie that was based on it. A former stand-up comedian, N…
Filed under: Circus, Contemporary Variety, PLUGS Tagged: Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, First of May Award
Tomorrow morning at 6:45am, Turner Classic Movies will be screening General Spanky (1936), Hal Roach’s one attempt to move his popular “Our Gang” characters up to fea…
TheFiled under: Burlesk, Contemporary Variety, PLUGS Tagged: Broadway Brassy, burlesque, La Flaca, Temple of the Virgins
Today is the birthday of the great silent comedy actor Henry Bergman (1868-1946). Originally from San Francisco, he began acting on stage around 1888, making it to Broadway (where he a…
Tonight at 11pm (EST) on Turner Classic Movies, one of my favorite movies: Robert Altman’s McCabe and Mrs. Miller. Warning: we always include spoilers here! I first saw this film wh…
Tomorrow on Turner Classic Movies – a smorgasbord of classic comedies!  6:15 am (EST): Speedy (1928) Harold Lloyd plays a soda jerk and rabid Yankees fan who wants to help…
Here’s one for all burlesque fans. We caught this 1973 tv movie the other day and must share news of its existence. Written by Dory Previn (whom we only just heard about and are rapidl…
Filed under: Contemporary Variety, Music, PLUGS Tagged: Charming Disaaster, Metropolitan Room
Today is the anniversary of the release date of the Keystone comedy A Thief Catcher (1914). This minor picture features the Keystone Kops, and Ford Sterling (who also directed). …
Herewith is part three of our three part series on Hollywood show biz bio-pics of the studio era. For part one, including an introductory essay, go here, and for part two, go here. As alw…
Wow. I only just heard this morning about the passing of Louis Jourdan (he died on Saturday). The age of social media has done much to expose us to the idiocy of the great mass of mankind, a…
Herewith is part two of our three part series on Hollywood show biz bio-pics. For part one, including an introductory essay, go here. As always, click on the links to learn more about the…
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the release date of the Charlie Chaplin comedy A Night Out (1915). This was Chaplin’s second film for Essanay Studios and (in addition to bei…
Now tell me true — would you rather start performances of your intricate, ambitious new spectacle on Friday the 13th, or would you prefer to do so on a day of candy, hearts and flowers…
Today is the anniversary of the release of the Mack Sennett silent comedy feature A Small Town Idol (1921), starring Ben Turpin and featuring an all-star cast including Jimmy Finlayson…
Tonight at 8pm (E.S.T.) Turner Classic Movies will be showing a classic of the western genre, and a high point of Gregory Peck’s acting career, The Gunfighter (1950). Peck pla…
Today is the anniversary of the release date of the 1928 Harry Langdon feature The Chaser. Langdon's second (and second to last) directorial effort, The Chaser seems like an attemp…
Filed under: Contemporary Variety, PLUGS Tagged: Ten Foot Rat Cabaret, Under St. Marks
Today is the anniversary of the release date of the Stan Laurel solo comedy When Knights Were Cold (1923), produced and directed by Broncho Billy Anderson. The film is a parody of both Dougl…
We found ourselves very much stimulated by Matthew Freeman’s The Listeners (directed by Michael Gardner) at The Brick last night. An extended meditation on the challenges of comm…
Today is the 100th anniversary of the release date of the Keystone comedy Mabel and Fatty’s Marrieed Life (not to be confused with Mabel’s Married Life, released 7 months e…
This post has been building for a long time. It came about because as an inevitable by-product of researching my first book No Applause (and for inspiration for my current show Hors…
