Days of Thrills and Laughter *** (1961, Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Keystone Kops, Fatty Arbuckle, Douglas Fairbanks Sr, Mack Sennett) – Classic Movie Review 7590

The 1961 Days of Thrills and Laughter is the third of writer-producer Robert Youngson’s valuable compilations of classic silent movie clips. It features comedy and action-scene highlights from the careers of Charlie Chaplin [Charles Chaplin], Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Fatty Arbuckle [Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle], the Keystone Kops, Douglas Fairbanks Sr, Mack Sennett and many others. It starts in 1905 and runs through the 1920s.

Days of Thrills and Laughter is a fun mix of comedy, action, thrills and spills that brings back some of Hollywood’s finest silent-cinema moments. However, it is slightly marred by Jay Jackson’s annoying commentary, for which Youngson is to blame as writer, though happily the film sometimes lets the clips speak for themselves, with satisfying chunks of silent movies.

Also in the clips are Snub Pollard, Pearl White, Harry Houdini, Harry Langdon, Ben Turpin, Charley Chase [Charlie Chase], Boris Karloff, Warner Oland, Mabel Normand, Ford Sterling, Ruth Roland, Monty Banks and Al St John.

Days of Thrills and Laughter is directed by Robert Youngson, runs 93 minutes, is made by Robert Youngson Productions, is released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Robert Youngson, is produced by Robert Youngson and is scored by Jack Shaindlin.

It follows The Golden Age of Comedy (1957) and When Comedy Was King (1960).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7590

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