Toronto Silent Film Festival: Laffs in the Aft Comedy Classics
Schedule
Sun, 13 Apr, 2025 at 04:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Revue Cinema | Toronto, ON
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Laffs in the Aft-our comedy showcase presents Harold Lloyd in FOR HEAVEN’S SAKELive accompaniment by Jordan Klapman and hosted by Chris Seguin
Plus the attack of the straw boatered comedians.
Nothing says snappy slapstick like a chap sporting a straw boater. This year, the TSFF is proud to present bespectacled Harold Lloyd, ever-embarrassed Charley chase, and a pre-Oliver Hardy Stan Laurel in a trio of comic triumphs.
In our main feature, FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE, Harold Lloyd plays millionaire Harold J. Manners, whose devil-may-care ways take a turn heavenward when he goes gaga for the daughter of the minister at a grungy downtown mission. Of course, this being a Harold Lloyd comedy, it climaxes in an adrenaline-pumping chase that tears up the streets of 1920s L.A. (pedestrians beware). Every second of the 58-minute running time is packed with clever sight gags, gasp inducing sequences and Lloyd’s impressive array of sophisticated and creative humour. Oh, and let’s not forget some of the best intertitles written for a silent comedy!
But first, Stan Laurel sports a skimmer (in lieu of his trademark derby) in A MAN ABOUT TOWN, a fun ten minutes of merry mixups as Stan is told to "follow that woman!" What could possibly go wrong does go wrong! Plus future Laurel & Hardy’s ubiquitous nemesis, James (“D’oh!”) Finlayson, joins in as a store detective who bases most of his detecting on a hunch.
ASSISTANT WIVES* sees Charley Chase, silent comedy’s ultimate everyman (if every man was unusually charming, charismatic and clever) in search of a wife — pronto! — to impress the boss. What follows is a frantic farce full of mistaken identities, slamming doors, clambering up and down fire escapes, and soup going unspilled. TSFF fan favourite Anita Garvin joins the fun and you must might get an answer to "Just how many wives does one man need?"
Finally, we showcase a certain iconic animated mouse is his very first film (not the one you think).
*Grateful for the support of the fine comedy folks Kit Parker Films, Richard M. Roberts and Paul Gierucki for the use of the new restoration of Assistant Wives.
Got kids? Bring 'em for only $9! Senior and Youth discounts too.
Festival runs April 11-13. Get a pass, day pass or single ticket.
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Where is it happening?
Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Avenue,Toronto, Ontario, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
