Slapstick Divas: The Women of Silent Comedy

I purchased the hard cover version of this book through Amazon Prime.I select books and materials for the American Vaudeville Collection at UA/Tucson. The 2000+ books thus far collected cover the full spectrum of show business because, technology aside, all performance, high or low art, is related. If I ever faced the prospect of being permitted only a suitcase of books (plus my laptop and a transmitting tower!) for exile on a desert island, Slapstick Divas by Steve Massa would be among the dozen or so indispensable books I’d take along.Although I am a steadfast fan of Mae West, The Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, I’m certain there are many showbiz enthusiasts like me who do not need to read one more familiar anecdote or attempted analysis about any of them.The incessant iteration of biographies of past yet still famous performers has caused other performers once as famous and as skilled to slip out of the pages of history. Congratulations and thanks to Steve Massa for rescuing from history’s cutting room floor the celluloid likes of Flora Finch, Louise Fazenda, Alice Howell, Polly Moran, Bea Lillie, Madge Kennedy, Dorothy Gish, Betty Balfour, Gale Henry, Elsie Janis and dozens more including the still familiar Mabel Normand, Marie Dressler, Marion Davies, Collee Moore and Clara Bow.Such scope requires the intense and difficult research that fills over 600 pages. Nearly 200 of those pages given to thumbnail bios of (I’m guessing) 1000 female film comedians. A helpful list for further reading and a useful index add to the value and usefulness of Steve Mass’s monument to the forgotten goddesses of laughter.Frank Cullenfounder: American Vaudeville Museum at UA/Tucson

This is a virtual encyclopedia of women in silent film comedy. Of course there are bios on the major film stars of the era - Mabel Normand, Colleen Moore, Clara Bow and Marion Davies - but there's also bios on over 400 other women who appeared in silent comedies - many of whom even the most dedicated film geek would have trouble remembering. Research for this book must have been overwhelming to be able to put so much information into one publication. There's over 600 pages with numerous illustrations. This book will become a "must have" for any serious film researcher or historian of the era and will be quite an introduction to the women of silent comedy for any film fan.

Continuing the work started decades ago by Kevin Brownlow, Sam Gill and other film historian scholars, here's an entertaining and information-packed tome on the hard-working comediennes of silent films, both headliners and supporting players, going all the way to the turn of the 20th century. There were dozens of comediennes and supporting players before talkies; bios on and interviews with darn near every one can be found here. Featuring a wry and breezy writing style and many rare photos, it's a fitting companion piece to the author's last two books on silent film comedy. Highly recommended and an excellent read!

Well-researched: well-illustrated: makes subjects interesting.

Author Steve Massa has created the definitive study of women in silent comedy, giving much-deserved attention to some of the finest screen comedians of the silent era. The study is presented chronologically, beginning in the late 19th century when narrative film was still just a concept and pictures that moved remained something of a novelty. Then as we enter the teens, early slapstick comediennes Mabel Normand, Josie Sadler, and Rose Melville are introduced to the reader. Louise Fazenda, Alice Howell, Ethel Teare and Polly Moran are among the other slapstick practitioners discussed followed by the likes of Billie Rhodes, Madge Kennedy, and Betty Compson who showed another dynamic of women in screen comedy, leading us to such twenties comedy stars as Marion Davies, Dorothy Gish, Marie Prevost, and Colleen Moore. The book is rounded out by chapters dealing with women behind the camera, those who specialized in romantic comedy and, finally, the many supporting players who enhanced every scene in which they appeared. Massa concludes with a mammoth second selection of capsule biographies listing every conceivable woman to appear in a comedy film. "Slapstick Divas" is thorough, informative, interesting, and a must for anyone interested in film history.

I usually don’t offer a review while still reading a book, but Steve Massa's wildly entertaining tome demands that I make an exception. Other writers here have offered excellent reasons why SLAPSTICK DIVAS is a must-have for any film lover, and I wholly concur. In fact, this is the most important book on silent comedy since Brent Walker's MACK SENNETT'S FUN FACTORY.This review refers to the ebook version, which, in my opinion, makes it an even more entertaining read in that you can actually go straight from the text to the many examples of comedies or comedy clips on archive.org as you go along. Film books have never been this much fun!

Slaptick Divas is one of those books you simply MUST HAVE is you're a fan of classic films. Funny silent actresses are often overlooked because their male counterparts (Chaplin, Keaton) get all the attention. These women were just as talented, just as funny, and they led fascinating and often tragic lives. This book pays tribute to all the great ladies - Mabel Normand, Marie Dressler, Phyllis Haver, Marion Davies, Marie Prevost, bathing beauty Thelma Hill, and lesbian Fay Tincher. There are literally hundreds of actresses profiled - too many of theme are forgotten today. I learned so much about stars that I love and a lot about actresses that I've never even heard of. Even if you a a hardcore silent film fan you will probably learn something from this book. Steva Massa obviously did a lot of reaseach and he found tons of rare photos. I'd recommend this book to all classic films fans.

Wow ... a ton of research must have gone into this book as it is packed with 100s of biographies, filmographies, pictures of the actresses and much more. Sad that many of the films are probably not available to see but this does give a big insight into the world of Silent movies from the US as well as international and from the earliest days to the last days. Really pleased I bought this book.

Awesome book thank you so much

If you're into silent slapstick comedy, you've probably already ordered this.And if you haven't, you need a kick in the pants!Order it NOW.It's perfect.