User Reviews

If you're a connoisseur of great silent comedy, then "4 Clowns" is probably already a title you're well familiar with.

If you're not familiar with it, get familiar already!

The "Clowns" of the title are Laurel and Hardy, Keaton and the lesser-known but still hilarious Charley Chase, and the clips here show them all at the peak of their form.

These no-frills presentations by Robert Youngson keep the clips and their contents at the forefront, with music and narration as perfect none-too-intrusive accompaniment.

I can't very well cite highlights here; this whole film is one big highlight unto itself. Stop it anywhere and you're bound to find something to make you laugh.

So, all you fans of the good-old-days of comedy (before lewd, crude and rude took over), meet your new favorite movie: "4 Clowns".

Ten stars. "4 Clowns" - 2 good 2 be 4-gotten!

This is my all-time favorite Robert Youngson compilation!

The snippets of Laurel and Hardy (seen before, then after their screen pairing), Charley Chase, and Buster Keaton are hilarious. Charley Chase's "Limousine Love", is featured. In it, Charley, on his way to his wedding, tries to hide a naked girl who waits in the backseat of his limo for her clothes to dry (Her car overturned in the gutter as she was driving wildly). Complications follow as Charley, then later, his fellow groomsmen, try to block the (naked) girl from Charley's bride-to-be when they drive by the church. I won't say further about this scene. Viewers need to see this for themselves!

Following "Limousine Love" is my favorite: An abridged version of Buster Keaton's "Seven Chances" (1925). Youngson truly saved the best (Buster) for last! The musical accompaniment for Buster's segment during the chase is unforgettable!

I first saw this on December 26, 1982 as a teenager. I had just become a Buster Keaton fan in Spring 1981. The time was 1:00 AM on Channel 9 in New York City. In the darkness, I was transfixed to the t.v. screen -- particularly the "Chase" sequence in "Seven Chances". When it ended, and I turned in for bed at 3:00 AM, I could barely sleep! The images and music were in my head, and behind my closed eyes. I never forgot it.

At that time, I did not have a VCR. The following year, I had cried when one of my relatives who had a VCR lied promising to tape it when it showed, again -- and never did. That painful incident prompted my family to purchase a VCR. And, finally! - after a two-year hiatus, I recorded it when it re-aired in 1986. Sadly, after 1988 it never aired on television, again. Thankfully, I had taped the "Seven Chances" segment only that last time it showed.

Robert Youngson's "The Golden Age of Comedy" and "When Comedy Was King" are due to be released this Fall. "4 Clowns" also needs to be released on DVD -- real soon! When "4 Clowns" becomes available on DVD, I'll certainly pre-order my copy! For Buster Keaton and silent-comedy buffs, this is a MUST-HAVE for your collection! You won't regret it.

WHILE NOT AS broadly based as were his earlier compilations, Robert Youngson's 4 CLOWNS (Robert Youngson Productions/20th Century-Fox, 1970) is nonetheless at least as satisfying and informative.

THE FILM COMES to us from a man whose producing such documentary fare was both his vocation and avocation. Beginning with 1957's THE GOLDEN AGE OF COMEDY and culminating with this, his last production, he's given us a reverent, nostalgic and very emotional overview of what made us laugh at the Movies. before they, themselves, made so much as a peep.

WITH THIS INSTALLMENT of the Silent Comedy story, we are focused on the work of four of the top laugh-makers of the era. The early careers of Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charley and Buster Keaton are highlighted. Although all men were active in the Sound Era, with varying degrees of success, their film roots were in the Silents and many feel that their best work was done there.

IN THE CASE of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy, although their work as a team is included with THE SECOND HUNDRED YEARS (Hal Roach/MGM, 1927). The emphasis here is in their individual work and formative years. We see a brash, younger Laurel; whose persona bears a sort of resemblance to Harold Lloyd's go-getter Glasses character. Hardy's roles, both solo and teamed with others, are highlighted. In both men's cases, the style was much more frantic and not the slow, deliberate style that became synonymous with the L & H team.

SPECIAL ATTENTION IS given to Charley Chase; whose body of work tends to be overlooked and sometimes altogether forgotten. We particularly recall his LIMOUSINE LOVE (Hal Roach/MGM, 1928), a two reel comedy. This not only represents Mr. Chase's comic talents and style at their very zenith of their powers; but also one of the most unique, memorable and truly funny comedies ever.

THE LAST WAS saved for the very best as the anthology shifts the spotlight to "the Great Stone Face" of Buster Keaton is presented, front and center. We are privy to his early work and how he entered the motion business almost by accident; following a life-long career on the Vaudeville stage. From the age of three, he was a member of the 3 Keatons; along with Mom and Dad.

IN ADDITION TO the emphasis on the main subjects in the title's reference, of necessity, it touches on many others. For example, it shows us early, silent screen work of miss Jean Arthur; later to become a leading lady in the 1930's and a favourite of Director Frank Capra's.

THIS WAS ALSO the first reference that we had ever seen of one Billy West; who's stage impersonation of Charlie Chaplin brought him to the silver screen. As it is said in the narration, when moving it's impossible to tell Billy from Charlie.

WE'RE SURE THAT Mr. Youngson had as much joy in assembling this film as we had screening it. Thanks, Bob!