Kops and Custards: The Legend of Keystone Films (A Book)

Kalton C. Lahue; Terry Brewer

ISBN 10: 0806110457 / ISBN 13: 9780806110455

Published by University of Oklahoma Press, 1972

About this Item

1972 softcover. UNREAD COPY. Unmarked pages and firm binding. Paper cover shows minor shelf rubbing and minor edge wear only (no tears). This is NOT an ex-library book. Overall a very good, sturdy, very useful copy.

Seller Inventory # 5220f

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Kops and Custards: The Legend of Keystone Films (A Book)
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Publication Date: 1972
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0806110457
• ISBN 13: 9780806110455
• Binding: Softcover
• Edition: 2nd.
• Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 17 ounces

About this title

Synopsis

Is the history of the Keystone Film Company, the madhouse firm that produced those zany comedies of wild car chases and hordes of bumbling cops, and in doing so dominated the motion picture comedy from 1912 to 1920.

More than that, this book is also a reflection of what made America and the world laugh in those days. Additionally, it is a study of Mack Sennett, the comedy mastermind who brought slapstick humor to the point of being a fine art.

With Mabel Normand, a feminine counterpart of Charlie Chaplin, Fred Mace, Marie Dressler, cross-eyed Ben Turpin, Fatty Arbuckle, Slim Summerville, and Polly Moran-later Gloria Swanson, Wallace Beery, Marie Prevost, and Bebe Daniels joined the group-Sennett taught what could be done with a camera.

Utilizing the memories of individuals who took part in the making of the Keystone comedies and the data found in various private collections, the authors give an accurate appraisal of the comedies and their creator. A complete listing of the comedies is appended, together with production information not previously published. Many rare photographs from the films contribute to the enjoyment and value of the book.

Kalton C. Lahue is the author of a number of books about films and cameras, among them Continued Last Week: A History of the Moving Picture Serial, World of Laughter: The Motion Picture Comedy Short, 1910-1930, and (with Joseph A. Bailey) Glass, Brass, and Chrome: The American 35mm Miniature Camera, all published by the University of Oklahoma Press.

Terry Brewster is a free-lance writer who specializes in educational television scrips.