Charley Chase Talkies - by James L Neibaur (Hardcover)

About the Book

In The Charley Chase Talkies: 1929-1940, James L. Neibaur examines, film-by-film, the comedian's 79 short subjects at Roach and Columbia studios. The first book to examine any portion of Chase's filmography, this volume discusses the various methods Chase employed in his earli...

Book Synopsis

In The Charley Chase Talkies: 1929-1940, James L. Neibaur examines, film-by-film, the comedian's 79 short subjects at Roach and Columbia studios. The first book to examine any portion of Chase's filmography, this volume discusses the various methods Chase employed in his earliest sound films, his variations on common themes, his use of music, and the modification of his character as he reached the age of 40. Neibaur also acknowledges the handful of feature film appearances Chase made during this period.

Review Quotes

Neibaur's knowledge and passion for the subject shines through in his writing, making this more than your average film-by-film study. Consistently interesting and entertaining, the book is filled with enough knowledge to satisfy any film buff. The best part is that this segment of Chase's career hasn't been so thoroughly studied until now, so the information and Neibaur's analyses are fresh and original. The choice to concentrate only on Chase's talkies was a good one as well, allowing much more room for a more in-depth study in what still ended up being over a 300 page book. . . . Neibaur's [has written an] impressively thorough book. This is required reading for any fan of Charley Chase, comedy, or just film in general.

The bulk of The Charley Chase Talkies is made up of a film by film examination of the sound shorts produced by Chase. Each movie is given its due, with an informative who-what-when section and a thoughtful examination of how each fits into Chase's overall body of work. Tracking both the evolution of his direction and the growth of his talents as an actor, this overview is as rewarding as it is informative. Particularly interesting were the examinations of the difference between the films that Chase both directed and starred in, as opposed to those where he acted under the direction of another.

For fans of Chase, The Charley Chase Talkies will expand and illuminate your understanding of his remarkable talents.

About the Author

James L. Neibaur is a film historian and educator who has written several books on film, including The Fall of Buster Keaton (2010), Early Charlie Chaplin (2011), and The Silent Films of Harry Langdon, 1923-1928 (2012), all published by Scarecrow Press.