Book Review: Mack Sennett's Fun Factory

"Mack Sennett's Fun Factory" was released in a thick, oversized hardcover volume in 2010. The information in contained was encyclopedic, with detailed information on the films, the performers, and the technical craftsmen who worked with Mack Sennett from his beginnings at the Biograph studios until his final sound movies prior to his retirement. The book takes us up to Sennett's death in 1960, serving as biographical as well as a deep and revealing assessment of his pioneering work in screen comedy. “For students of film, it is indispensible, one of the most perfect film history books ever to be published. Now in affordable softcover at less than half the price of the hardcover original, there is no excuse to not own "Mack Sennett's Fun Factory."

Mack Sennett was one of the moving picture’s bonafide pioneers, understanding the rudiments of comedy lie in satire and parody. He also understood that movement within the frame was an essential factor in capturing the audience’s attention during cinema’s infancy. From as early as 1912, Sennett became a master at rounding up just the right stable of writers, directors, and performers who were able to fully comprehend his vision, adding their own ideas. As a result of these collaborations, the foundation of motion picture comedy was born. Any contemporary example of physical comedy performance on screen can be traced to roots in Sennett’s work.

Walker tells the entire story of Sennett’s career, from the earliest Keystone productions, to his final appearances as himself in cameos during the 1950s. Along the way, we are presented the complete evolution of movie comedy during the first decades of the 20th century and how Sennett’s production company served as the apprenticeship and eventual path to superstardom for the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Roscoe Arbuckle, Mabel Normand, Ben Turpin, and Harry Langdon; all of whom are noted pioneers of screen humor. Noteworthy names like Charley Chase, Edgar Kennedy, and Harold Lloyd worked in Sennett comedies as they explored or began to define their careers. Some, like Arbuckle, Chaplin, Chase, and Normand, directed their own films.

With his interest in parody, Sennett skewered authority by forming The Keystone Kops; a group of actors who, as inept policemen, made history with their wild knockabout antics. In an effort to realize the necessary movement required to make the most exhilarating comedies of cinema’s early years, Sennett explored technological ways to enhance gags where cars were crushed, people leaped from buildings, and dizzying heights were conquered. Sennett would attend actual events, such as fires or stock car races, bring along a crew and some actors, and put together an impromptu one-reeler with the actual event as the backdrop. And in the meantime, his creativity and that of his staff and actors, were inventing the language of cinema.

Along with presenting Sennett’s entire story, Walker offers insight as to how each actor, director, and writer contributed to this fascinating evolution. A complete, exhaustive filmography of over 1,000 titles is also offered for reference, as well as capsule biographies of virtually every actor, director, writer, or crew member to work in a Sennett film.

Mack Sennett is one of the most important figures in motion picture history. The performers and directors who worked with him over the years are some of the greatest names in all of motion picture history. Walker’s book is the most thorough, informative, enlightening, and fascinating study on any of the individuals contained therein, especially Sennett himself.

I can offer no greater praise than to state that anyone with even a remote interest in early cinema should own this book. For libraries and study centers it is essential. For comedy film buffs, it is indispensable. “Mack Sennett’s Fun Factory” is what this reviewer would call a perfect book.

The book is available in affordable softcover here