Search - Lost and Found: The Harry Langdon Collection on DVD

Absolutely Essential!

Chip Kaufmann | Asheville, N.C. United States | 01/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE HARRY LANGDON COLLECTION: LOST AND FOUND is one of those rare opportunities where a cinematic wrong gets to be righted and cinematic history gets to be rewritten. This amazing compilation not only traces the evolution of Harry Langdon's screen character before his entry into feature films but shows us what Mack Sennett comedies from the 1920s were like which is invaluable as most of this material is lost. It shows that Sennett was quite capable of adapting and polishing his style as movies evolved while remaining true to himself and that Langdon already had his essential character developed from his vaudeville days before he was discovered and refined by Frank Capra as claimed in his autobiography THE NAME ABOVE THE TITLE. It also shows us much, much more. For example SMILE PLEASE from 1924 while not typical Langdon is among the funniest shorts I've seen in years thanks to Harry's reactions to the Sennett style chaos surrounding him.



This 4 DVD set follows Langdon from his first Sennett short (PICKING PEACHES) through his sound career in the 1930s when like Buster Keaton he was consigned to low budget appearances with low budget studios. It skips over his feature film period which is well represented elsewhere (Kino's HARRY LANGDON: THE FORGOTTEN CLOWN collection) although it has his rarely seen first feature HIS FIRST FLAME. The quality of the restored material is remarkable and there is also a wonderful documentary LOST AND FOUND which gives an overview of his career and contributions to silent comedy as well as numerous bonus features and commentary. As the availability of long lost films has helped to reestablish Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle's reputation, surely this set will do the same for Langdon for there is so much that we haven't seen that now paints a very different picture of the comedian. He is finally receiving the true recognition he deserves. This set is absolutely essential for silent comedy fans.

"

A great comic finally gets his due!

Dean Wisland | Vernon Hills, Illinois USA | 11/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you have never heard of Harry Langdon, don't be surprised. In the 1920's, he made silent comedy that ranked with Charlie Chaplin, Harlod Lloyd, and Buster Keaton. Mack Sennett called him the best comic he ever saw. And a young writer director named Frank Capra worked with him. But when he tried to direct himself in the late 20's, his career began to stall, and when talkie films came in, he had trouble fitting in. He did continue to work in films, doing films for Columbia and Educational, and also writing for Laurel and Hardy, most notable in A chump at Oxford and Flying Deuces. He died in 1944 virtually forgotten. Robert Youngston included some clips from Harry's films in his compilations.

Three of his best features, Tramp Tramp Tramp, The strong Man, and Long Pants have been available from Kino video. Finally, many of the films he made for Sennett are finally coming complete to DVD. This set also includes commentary from film historians, a documentary feature about Harry and his career, and more. At long last, this forgotten comedy Genius will finally, hopefully, take his proper place alongside the greats of comedy. When I get this set, I will update this review with sound and picture quality comments."

Langdon, at long last!

Randy E. Halford | Boise, ID | 11/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was hoping that more of Harry Langdon's films would come to be seen (after fearing that time & neglect had ruined most of his work). Kino Video has already released his three hugely successful feature films (the ones which built his reputation as a serious rival to Chaplin, Keaton & Lloyd). But his shorts with Sennett have never been spotlighted until now.

While Langdon's success is partly owed to prodigies such as Frank Capra, there's no doubt that Langdon himself was these film's genuine treasure, using his comic timing & pantomimic skills to make them special.

I'll be anxiously awaiting the release of this DVD package along with many others who want to see more of this neglected silent film clown."

JUST WILD ABOUT HARRY!

Scott Henderson | Demorestville, Ontario Canada | 01/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As good as it gets!



As the booklet that comes with set indicates, there are two types of people: Those who get Harry Langdon and Those who don't get Harry Landon. I'll add to it that there's a 3rd type: Those who don't know who Harry Langdon is. Hopefully this set will bring Harry back into the realm where he belongs and everyone will know and love Harry.



I won't go into the contents of this set as others have done this already. I just got the set yesterday so I haven't seen it all but most of it is laugh out loud funny. Just watch "Smile Please" and you'll laugh out loud during the last 10 minutes. That little brat is a great actor and great foil for Harry. It's very funny!



So if you want to get Harry, GET HARRY...that means get this box set."