Larry Semon, Daredevil Comedian of the Silent Screen - by Claudia Sassen (Paperback)
About this item
Highlights
- Prior to his premature death from tuberculosis in 1928, Larry Semon was one of the most popular comics on the silent screen.
- About the Author: Claudia Sassen is a cartoonist and linguist by profession, currently associated with the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany.
- 264 Pages
- Biography + Autobiography, Entertainment & Performing Arts
Description
About the Book
[Prior to his tragic death in 1928, Larry Semon was one of the best-loved and most popular comics on the Silent Screen. For a time Larry seriously rivaled comedic legends Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Buster Keaton for worldwide fame and fortune. He was a man responsible for his own stories, gags, acting and direction, as well as his films' success and, eventually, his failure.Book Synopsis
Prior to his premature death from tuberculosis in 1928, Larry Semon was one of the most popular comics on the silent screen. For a time he rivaled comedy legends Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton for fame and fortune. The son of magician Professor Zera the Great, Semon participated in many of his father's early performances. A talented youth, he worked as an illustrator and cartoonist before going into motion pictures with the Vitagraph Company. He soon became a Hollywood legend, responsible for his own stories, gags, acting and direction. The result of 30 years of research, this long overdue biography recognizes one of Hollywood's most overlooked auteurs. The author draws on numerous articles and contacts with Semon's family and friends, and screens many films previously believed to be lost.
Review Quotes
"this fascinating and enlightening work on this unsung genius of the silent era will be a fine addition to both referencing and circulating collections"-ARBA; "definitive...impeccable...very highly recommended"-Examiner; "a must have for all serious Laurel and Hardy fans...for anyone who seeks everything Laurel and Hardy, add Claudia Sassen's new biography of Larry Semon to your collection"-The Intra-Tent Journal; "recommended"-Silent-ology; "a valuable addition to serious scholarship of silent cinema"-Plan 9 Crunch.
About the Author
Claudia Sassen is a cartoonist and linguist by profession, currently associated with the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany. Her cartoons have appeared in calendars and in a variety of newspapers and magazines. She lives in Duisburg, Germany.