''4 Clowns'' is a 1970 documentary compilation film written and directed by

Robert Youngson Robert Youngson (November 27, 1917 – April 8, 1974) was a film producer, director, and screenwriter, specializing in reviving antique silent films.Obituary ''Variety'', April 17, 1974, page 95.golden age of comedy through a compilation of rare

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

footage of the works of

Stan Laurel Stan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson; 16 June 1890 – 23 February 1965) was an English comic actor, writer, and film director who was one half of the comedy double act, duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Ha ...

Oliver Hardy Oliver Norvell Hardy (born Norvell Hardy; January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his c ...

, Charley Chase and

Buster Keaton Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966) was an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for his silent film work, in which his trademark was physical comedy accompanied by a stoic, deadpan expression ...

. It was the last feature film project of producer, director, and writer Robert Youngson.

Synopsis

The film is divided into three sections. The first section deals with early silent film works of

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American Double act, comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood cinema, Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–19 ...

prior to the two becoming a team as well as their later work as a team. The second section deals with the career of Charley Chase. The third section deals with Buster Keaton, The film is a compilation of excerpts from some of these actor's more notable projects.

Cast

Narrated by Jay Jackson, the film concentrates on the works of

, Charley Chase, and

. Included in film's excerpts are actors Jean Arthur, Lori Bara,

T. Roy Barnes Thomas Roy Barnes (August 11, 1880 – March 30, 1937) was a British-American actor. Biography Barnes appeared in over 50 films between 1920 and 1935, primarily in comedies. Although born in England, he lived in the United States from early chil ...

, Bartine Burkett, Rosalind Byrne, Erwin Connelly, Jules Cowles, Doris Deane,

Hazel Deane The hazel (''Corylus'') is a genus of deciduous trees and large shrubs native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The genus is usually placed in the birch family Betulaceae,Germplasmgobills Information Network''Corylus''Rushforth, K. (1999). ...

, Ruth Dwyer, Snitz Edwards, Connie Evans,

Eugenia Gilbert Eugenia Gilbert (November 18, 1902 – December 9, 1978) was an American film actress of the silent era. She appeared as a leading lady in a number of westerns. In at least three films, she was billed as Eugenie Gilbert. Biography Gilbert was ...

, Edna Hammon,

Marion Harlan Marion may refer to: People *Marion (given name) *Marion (surname) *Marion Silva Fernandes, Brazilian footballer known simply as "Marion" *Marion (singer), Filipino singer-songwriter and pianist Marion Aunor (born 1992) Places Antarctica * Mari ...

, Jean C. Havez, Barbara Kent, Judy King, Frances Raymond,

Viola Richard Viola Richard (26 January 1904 – 28 December 1973) was an American actress. Biography Born as Evelyn Viola Richard in 1904 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, she appeared in several silent short comedies at the Hal Roach Studios opposite Laur ...

, Constance Talmadge, Pauline Toller, and Billy West.

Post-production

After Robert Youngson completed ''4 Clowns'', distribution rights were acquired by

20th Century-Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disn ...

in May 1970, and a release date was set. After its 1970 release, the film also aired commercially in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

in 1992 and 1995 on

Channel Four Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network operated by the state-owned Channel Four Television Corporation. It began its transmission on 2 November 1982 and was established to provide a fourth television service i ...

Reception

Leonard Maltin stated that the film was one of the best of Robert Youngson's compilations, and as it contained excerpts from "some of the best silent comedy ever", it was "a must for viewers of all ages."

References

External links

''4 Clowns''
at the

Internet Movie Database IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...