Many movie genres developed during the silent era, but none was as lasting as comedies. Actors and actresses stood in front of crude, hand-cranked cameras and invented a style that made people laugh and forget their troubles.
This is an encyclopedic work to persons, institutions and terms associated with silent film comedy. For people, there is a capsule biography and a summary of their contribution. For studios and companies, there is a brief history and for terms, a full definition is given.

Blair Miller
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 292
Bibliographic Info: 59 photos, chronology, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2008 [1995]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3883-9
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0980-5
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii

Introduction      1

Timeline      3

The Encyclopedia      7

Bibliography      255

Index      261

“a fine reference book…exceptionally valuable…strongly recommended”—Choice; “this illustrated compilation…identifies people, studios, technical companies and terms”—Booklist.