Fatty Arbuckle’s career came to a sudden halt amidst allegations that he raped and caused the death of a young starlet named Virginia Rappe. Though he was acquitted, the comedian, who was at one time second in popularity only to Charlie Chaplin, was ruined. Interviews with many of Arbuckle’s contemporaries (including Minta Durfee, his first wife) and extensive research inform this serious study of the once-fabled comedian. His early days in the Keystone comedies and his relationship with Chaplin are recounted. The details of the Rappe trial and his life afterwards are also provided.

The late Stuart Oderman was an internationally acclaimed silent film pianist. He lived in New Jersey.

Stuart Oderman

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 255
Bibliographic Info: photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2005 [1994]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2277-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2167-8
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii
Introduction      ix
1. Endings and Beginnings      1
2. First Steps to First Love      10
3. Touring      22
4. Keystone Comedy      40
5. Charlie Chaplin Makes His Entrance      51
6. Madcap Mabel      64
7. Going East      77
8. Roscoe Goes to Paramount      92
9. A New Talent Arrives      105
10. No Dogs, No Actors!      116
11. On Their Own      125
12. The Best Show in Town      137
13. Up in Roscoe’s Rooms      151
14. The Arbuckle Trials      172
15. Retribution      195
16. New Beginnings, Old Problems      204
Notes      215
Bibliography      235
Index      241

• “A fascinating biography…an invaluable and thorough historical perspective…highly recommended”—Choice
• “A good read that will satisfy any fan of these early movie stars”—Sullivan County Democrat
• “Fascinating first-hand accounts…vividly captures the personal side of the people in the world of early film comedy”—Past Times