Harry Langdon: His Life and Films, 2d ed. - Paperback

by William Schelly (Author)

A top vaudeville comedian for the first quarter of the 20th century, Harry Langdon rose from performing in Midwest traveling shows to headlining at the Palace Theatre in New York City. He was compared to Chaplin for his work in the classic silent films Tramp, Tramp, Tramp and The Strong Man, and he is often recognized as one of the "big four silent comedians" alongside Chaplin, Lloyd and Keaton. Later in his career, Langdon appeared in a number of talking films, starring or co-starring in almost a hundred of them between 1924 and 1945 and working with several legendary directors, from Frank Capra to Michael Curtiz.

This second edition of the only book-length biography of Langdon includes significant new information, including expanded coverage of his early years and more personal details that fill out the human side to the Langdon story. The book also includes a comprehensive filmography and several photographs from all phases of Langdon's life and career.

Author Biography

Bill Schelly has been chronicling the history of popular culture since the 1960s, beginning with his magazine Sense of Wonder. He has written or edited several books, and is associate editor of the Eisner Award-winning magazine Alter Ego. He lives in Seattle.