Category: Classic Movies

The Mystery of the Leaping Fish – 1916

I wasn’t planning on posting anything special to pay tribute to Douglas Fairbanks (May 23, 1883 – December 12, 1939)  because I’ve little time to dedicate to a full post.  But I came across this rather odd 1916 short directed by Christy Cabanne and John Emerson and thought it would be fun to share.

Hailed as a parody of Sherlock Holmes, The Mystery of the Leaping Fish features a story by none other than Tod Browning and an uncredited D. W. Griffith.  Enjoy.

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I admit this is not the greatest choice with which to honor a legendary life and career.  But it is a remembrance.  To Douglas Fairbanks.

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Mack Sennet/Gloria Swanson double feature.

A bit late as Miss Swanson would have celebrated her birthday a couple of days ago, but no less fun and never a waste to remember.  Here are a couple of silent comedy shorts starring Gloria Swanson and Bobby Vernon – both directed by Clarence G. Badger and produced by Mack Sennett.  And worth a look.

The Danger Girl (1916)

The Sultan’s Wife (1917)

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Gloria Swanson by Ernest A Bachrach

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Good Night, Nurse! (1918)

Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle would have celebrated his birthday today (1887-1933).  In remembrance here is a 1918 comedy short, Good Night, Nurse, which co-stars Buster Keaton.  Not only is this great fun, but it’s historic – Buster Keaton smiles on camera!

From 1918, written and directed by Roscoe Arbuckle, here’s Good Night, Nurse.

Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle…

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