Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle

A Biography of the Silent Film Comedian, 1887–1933

$29.95

In stock

SKU: 9780786422777 Categories: , ,

About the Book

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.

About the Author(s)

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

Bibliographic Details

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

Table of Contents

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

Book Reviews & Awards

“[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.