Slapstick Encyclopedia

Highlighting the Golden Age of screen comedy as it has never been presented before, Slapstick Encyclopedia collects more than fifty silent short comedies with new musical soundtracks into this exclusive 5-disc DVD box set.From the early innovators, who redesigned the routines of vaudeville with narrative form, to the celebrated masters whose inspired improvisations helped establish the world dominance of American film.Slapstick Encyclopedia is your laugh-filled tour of this eternally appealing art.All films have been digitally mastered at visually correct speeds from excellent original materials; each includes a brief introduction written by film historian Joe Adamson, who has also provided a comprehensive guide, "The Whole Custard Pie Catalog," included in each box.The series includes enough sight gags, collapsing sets, high-speed chases and quick-witted underdogs to keep audiences of all ages wide-eyed for hours!

Volume 1:
In the Beginning: Film Pioneers

Volume 2:
Keystone Tonight!: Mack Sennett Comedies

Volume 3:
Sennett in the Twenties

Volume 4:
Funny Girls: Gender and Their Benders

Volume 5:
Keaton, Arbuckle and St. John

Volume 6:
Hal Roach's All-Star Comedians

Volume 7:
Hal Roach: The Lot of Fun

Volume 8:
Chaplin and the Music Hall Tradition

Volume 9:
The Race is On

Volume 10:
Tons of Fun: The Anarchic Fringe