Well, boy howdy, this is an unexpected, remarkable treat. You no doubt know all about the great, classic early silent film comedies from Mack Sennett, the “King of Comedy,” who created the Keystone Cops, and have likely seen many of the legendary stars he brought to the screen, like Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Harold Lloyd, Gloria Swanson, Carole Lombard, and even Bing Crosby, and heard about so many more – including “Fatty” Arbuckle, Harry Langdon, Ben Turpin and Mabel Norman, whose relationship with Sennett was the foundation of the Jerry Herman musical Mack and Mabel. But you’ve probably never seen Mack Sennett. Well, we’ll change that. Because here he is as the surprise guest on an early episode of This is Your Life. And man, is he ever bewildered and utterly stunned by the surprise. (“I never get fooled!!!”) So much that it truly takes him a while to adjust. (Indeed, even host Ralph Edwards feels compelled to note that Sennett is still in a state of shock. “You bet I am!!”) But once the first person from his distant past arrives, he explodes with joy, and it’s on, almost as giddy as can be. Most of the guests will be totally unfamiliar to audiences today (with one big exception and perhaps a couple of very small ones), but the story of Early Hollywood they are a part of and tell is a joy. As is Sennett’s building pleasure. (One note: this includes the original commercials…)
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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