Blu Ray Review: Charley Chase – The Late Silents – 1927
While Charley Chase may not have the mainstream notoriety of Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton, he has long been one of the most beloved classic comedians among movie buffs. Fortunately, he is also among the most well-represented vintage comedians on DVD and blu ray, thanks mostly to Kit Parker films and Sprocket Vault. All of the classic sound comedies produced by the Hal Roach studios (1929-1936) are currently available. Now with this latest release, Kit Parker and Sprocket Vault present a volume of top drawer Charley Chase silent films from 1927.
Hal Roach had been releasing his productions through Pathe, and the Charley Chase earlier silents made from 1924-1926, have been in the public domain and are in release through other companies (review here). However, some late Pathe releases, and films produced after Roach switched distribution to MGM, are not, and have been elusive on home video. This release changes that. Of the fifteen shorts in this two-disc set, only A One Mama Man, Forgotten Sweeties, The Sting of Stings, The Way of All Pants and Fluttering Hearts have been released to the home market previously, some not since the days of 8mm and 16mm collecting. Many of the remaining comedies here have not been in regular distribution since their initial release. The other films on this set include There Ain’t No Santa Claus, Many Scrappy Returns, Are Brunettes Safe, Bigger and Better Blondes, What Women Did For Me, The Lighter That Failed, Now I’ll Tell One, Assistant Wives, Us and Never The Dames Shall Meet.
Only the second reel exists for Now I’ll Tell One, a priceless piece of film in that both Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy appear. Never The Dames Shall Meet survives only in a three minute clip, but it is great that we have this footage to enjoy. Finally, The Way of All Pants, which was previously only available incomplete, is complete on this set.
There is a great deal of historical importance to these films, and all of them are very funny. The nearly 100 years that have gone by since they were made makes no difference as to their quality. Charley Chase was a comedian who mastered situational comedy and visual humor, using slapstick gags, interesting concepts, and good acting to create some brilliant films. Fifteen examples are on this set.
The films were gathered from various archives and private collections. The restorations from Paul Gierucki and CineMusieum LLC are truly remarkable. The musical accompaniment by Andrew Simpson effectively enhances each comedy. As an extra, the films have a commentary track by comedy historian Richard Roberts. There are also bonus films included on disc two, and a photo gallery.
This quintessential two-disc set of Charley Chase late silents belongs in any comprehensive collection. It is not only recommended to libraries and research centers, but is a must for fans of vintage comedy. Charley Chase is one of the best of his era, and his work remains timeless. As with any such release, its success via sales is the only way to possibly get future collections of Chase’s 1928 and 1929 silents.
Charley Chase – The Late Silents – 1927 is available on blu ray and DVD and can be purchased at this link: CHASE27
Thank you for the review. I learned about him through the Silent Comedy Watch Party with Ben Model & Steve Massa. I like Charley's work and at under $30, I can watch him at home, please don't tell Buster Keaton. ;D