kevinpshanblog

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A real “SWEAT SHOP”

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Back during COVID I presented this speech at a Toastmasters meeting. It talks about the 3 great silent comedians but it’s really a tribute to Harold Lloyd. Since I just got the new book Lonesome Luke’s Lively Life I thought it might be a good time to share some more Harold!

https://youtu.be/s2EhMxnneAo?si=affX_pXMbyhZDJoF

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🚗 Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizzies Turns 100!

I remember seeing Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizzies advertised in the old Blackhawk Films catalogue—those yellow pages filled with treasures from the silent era. Even then, the title jumped out: zany, futuristic, and packed with jalopy chaos. Now, a full century later, this 1925 comedy classic officially turns 100 on June 14, and it’s still a wild ride.

🎬 What’s It About?

Directed by Del Lord and co-written by a young Frank Capra, the short stars an inventor (played by Billy Bevan) who creates a radio-powered car—years ahead of its time. His invention sends oil barons into a panic, and soon the screen is full of runaway autos, exploding engines, and signature Sennett-style slapstick.

🎭 Who Was Billy Bevan?

Billy Bevan was a mainstay of silent comedy, easily recognized by his trademark mustache and wide-eyed expressions. Born in Australia, Bevan became one of Mack Sennett’s most reliable comic stars in the 1920s. Whether playing a hapless inventor, a bungling cop, or an unlucky everyman, Bevan’s precise timing and expressive face made him a silent-era favorite.

In Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizzies, he’s at his chaotic best—equal parts innovator and innocent bystander to disaster.

🎉 Why It Still Matters

Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizzies is more than just a relic of the past. It's a fast-paced look at how filmmakers in the 1920s imagined the future—with humor, creativity, and a lot of flying car parts. Watching it today is a reminder of how far film—and technology—have come, and how the joy of a well-timed gag never gets old.

“A car controlled by radio in 1925? The future was already funny.”

Happy 100th, Lizzies! Here’s to another century of laughter on four wheels.

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🎩 Buzz Saws and Blood Splatter: My Night with Richiardi Jr.

I must’ve been in my late teens or early twenties—sometime between 1977 and 1985—when I saw one of the most unforgettable magic performances of my life. It took place somewhere in Queens, New York, though the exact venue escapes me now. What hasn’t faded is the memory of what unfolded on that stage—and how it still stands out as one of the most theatrically shocking illusions I’ve ever witnessed.

I was there with a group of friends. We’d heard about this magician who claimed he would saw someone in half—for real. Not your classic, “lady in the box” routine. This was advertised as blood-spurting, organ-revealing, buzz-saw-to-the-torso realism. And let me tell you: it delivered.

The magician was Richiardi Jr. I didn’t really know who he was at the time, but that performance left an indelible mark in my memory.

When that giant buzz saw dropped and hit the assistant’s midsection—blood shot up the wall, guts seemed to ooze out, and the audience gasped like we were watching a live horror movie.

Then came the twist: we were invited to walk up onto the stage—single file, like a group of respectful mourners—and pass by the “halved” assistant, who now lay in two pieces, looking very much the worse for wear.

As someone who had been performing magic since the age of ten, I was familiar with a variety of methods that could explain how it was done. So while my friends were freaking out, I was quietly marveling at the craftsmanship of the illusion. Of course it wasn’t real. I mean, imagine having to advertise for a new assistant after every show!

It turns out I wasn’t the only one who remembered Richiardi’s style. David Copperfield and Criss Angel have both credited him as a major inspiration. Copperfield called him one of the finest magicians he’d ever seen, and Angel has said Richiardi’s bold, edgy illusions helped shape his own approach.

As for me? While I was definitely impressed by the performance, let’s just say it wasn’t a trick I ever added to my children’s magic show. (“And now, boys and girls... close your eyes while I fire up the buzz saw!” — yeah, not gonna happen.)

https://www.geniimagazine.com/wiki/index.php?title=Richiardi_Jr.

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Frustration with Costco’s Auto-Renewal Cancellation Process

I live 30 minutes from a Costco location and have not been there in more than a year. I wanted to ensure I didn’t get billed for membership renewal in August. I tried to cancel auto-renewal using the app on multiple devices, but the “cancel auto renew” button simply did nothing—no confirmation, no change. I also attempted to remove my credit card from the account, but that didn’t work either.

Frustrated, I finally called Costco Support. The person who answered was abrupt and didn’t seem to listen to my explanation. I spent five minutes detailing the technical issues, only to have her robotically repeat, “You can cancel auto renew by pressing the cancel button.” That’s exactly what I had just told her wasn’t working!

After pressing the issue, she said she’d cancel auto-renewal on her end—which was fine, but then I asked for a confirmation. She told me there was no confirmation number, and that I should just log in and check it myself. No email, no text—just a vague “trust us.”

I hung up and waited to take the post-call survey. When asked how satisfied I was with the service, I selected “very dissatisfied.” Then they asked about the wait time, and I gave a neutral rating. Suddenly, the call cut off, which felt suspiciously like they didn’t want to record my negative feedback.

After logging into the app, I confirmed that auto-renewal was indeed turned off—but the real issue here is that the app’s auto-renewal cancellation button doesn’t work. I explained this repeatedly, yet no one cared or offered to escalate it as a technical problem. I felt dismissed as if the problem was my fault, rather than the system’s.

As someone who’s worked in technology my whole life, I know how to troubleshoot, and I know this is a system issue, not user error. But it’s clear nobody at Costco is interested in actually fixing the underlying problem—they just assume the customer is doing it wrong.

Key Points:

The auto-renewal cancellation button doesn’t work—this is a technical problem that needs fixing.

Support staff didn’t listen, instead repeating irrelevant instructions.

No confirmation was provided for the cancellation, leaving me to double-check on my own.

The call survey cut off when I gave negative feedback—potentially suspicious.

Overall, the experience felt dismissive and unhelpful.

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Celebrating 100 Years of What Price Goofy?: A Silent Comedy Gem

Of all the second-tier silent film comedians, Charley Chase is probably my favorite. That’s partly because I own more of his films than just about any other comedian—and I’ve watched most of them, finding each one thoroughly enjoyable. But What Price Goofy? particularly stands out to me as one of the best silent comedies. It’s not just a great Charley Chase piece; it also benefits from the work of a talented director and a strong supporting cast, which together make it truly memorable.

The film was directed by Leo McCarey, who would go on to become one of the most influential comedy directors of the era. Before joining Hal Roach Studios in 1923, McCarey worked as an assistant to director Tod Browning at Universal, where he learned the craft of filmmaking. It’s said that Browning had McCarey watch countless reels of film to help him develop his eye for storytelling—a formative experience that shaped McCarey’s approach to comedy and character. At Roach, McCarey quickly rose from gag writer to director, working with talents like Charley Chase and later contributing to the pairing of Laurel and Hardy.

The plot of What Price Goofy? is a classic comedy of misunderstandings. Charley Chase plays a husband who unwittingly finds himself in hot water with his jealous wife. She suspects him of infidelity after a houseguest he lets the butler bring upstairs to their room turns out to be a different gender than he expected. This sets off a hilarious chain of events filled with miscommunication, mistaken identity, and frantic attempts at cover-up—perfect ingredients for a Charley Chase farce.

Another reason What Price Goofy? stands out is the stellar supporting cast. Lucien Littlefield shines as the butler, bringing his trademark blend of sly wit and gentle humor to the role. Littlefield was a versatile character actor whose career spanned both silent and sound films, appearing in everything from comedies to westerns. The criminal in the film is played by Noah Young, a familiar face in Hal Roach comedies. Young was known for his imposing physical presence and often played tough guys or comic heavies, frequently supporting Harold Lloyd and Laurel and Hardy.

The final element that makes the film stand out is the performance of Buddy the Dog, who, as far as I’m concerned, steals the show. Buddy was a talented canine actor who appeared in several films during the silent era. His expressive reactions and comedic timing added an extra layer of charm to the film, making him a standout character in his own right.

What Price Goofy? was released on June 7, 1925, making today its 100th anniversary. Happy 100th anniversary to this delightful comedy and to the timeless legacy of Charley Chase!

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Navy Blue Days (1925) Turns 100

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Navy Blue Days, one of Stan Laurel’s solo films from his pre-Hardy days. While it’s not a brilliant comedy—probably not the first one I’d recommend to someone new to silent comedies—it does have its moments and is a good example of Laurel’s early solo work.

For those who have never seen a solo Stan Laurel film, it’s important to note that he hadn’t yet landed on the perfect character we all know from the Laurel and Hardy team. In these early roles, he often played more brash, varied characters as he explored his comedic style. It’s interesting to watch him develop his craft and see hints of the timeless comic persona he would later refine.

The film features a memorable sequence where Stan repeatedly walks in and out of a doorway, carrying boxes, completely unaware of a large crate swinging back and forth and narrowly missing him each time. It’s a classic slapstick gag that’s well-timed and highlights his talent for physical comedy.

The film wraps up with a lively chase scene, typical of many silent comedies of the era. While Navy Blue Days may not stand out as a landmark film, it’s still a fun watch and deserves some recognition for reaching the century mark.

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My first attempt at Google Flow!

My First Foray into AI Filmmaking with Google Flow (and a Toastmasters Tip!)

I recently had the exciting opportunity to try out Google Flow, Google's new AI-powered video creation platform, to produce a short film for my Toastmasters club. It was a fascinating journey into the world of AI filmmaking, and I’d love to share what I learned—including a helpful Toastmasters tip along the way. First the finished product.

Step 1: Scripting with Gemini

The process began with Google Gemini, which I used to script the video. I asked it to create a short explainer based on this Toastmasters tip:

"Arrive early. Give yourself enough time to get acquainted with the stage or presentation area, and test the microphone and any visual aids you’ll be using."

I also requested scene suggestions to pair with the narration. Gemini responded with a solid, structured script that provided a strong foundation for the video production.

Step 2: Generating Scenes in Google Flow

Google Flow is an impressive tool. It allows you to generate video clips simply by describing them in text. One standout feature is the ability to expand scenes, helping maintain continuity of characters and objects across shots.

However, I discovered that uploading a custom character for consistency across scenes is a premium feature, priced at $129 per month. For this first experiment, that was more than I was willing to invest.

To work around the character continuity limitation, I used close-up shots and creative framing, which helped disguise the inconsistency. Flow’s Scenebuilder feature also came in handy—it lets you stitch together individual clips, fine-tune transitions, and build a cohesive narrative flow from multiple 8-second scenes.

Step 3: Post-Production with iOS Clips

Once I had generated and downloaded the clips, I moved to post-production on my iPhone using the iOS Clips app. Here’s how I pulled it together:

Initial Edits: I imported the video into Clips, trimmed out silent openings, and added a title slide.

Narration: I recorded the narration using the Voice Memos app, syncing it to match the 40-second video runtime.

Audio Integration: I shared the voice memo directly into Clips and embedded it as the project’s main audio track.

Background Music: Because Clips supports only one audio track per project, I exported the video with narration, then opened it in a new Clips project to add background music from the app’s free library.

Final Export: After adding the music, I saved the final version—ready to share with my Toastmasters club!

Takeaways from My First Project

Google Flow is a powerful platform with real promise for content creators. Its ability to turn text descriptions into visual scenes and its Scenebuilder interface make it an accessible tool for storytelling—even with the current limitations for free users.

While the premium character continuity feature is costly, clever scene composition can help mitigate that. Combining Flow’s visuals with mobile editing tools like Clips made for a surprisingly smooth workflow.

What’s Next? Features I’m Excited to Explore

My first project only scratched the surface. Here are some features I plan to explore in future videos:

Advanced Camera Controls: Flow allows precise manipulation of zoom, pan, angle, and movement—ideal for creating cinematic transitions and perspectives.

“Frames to Video” & “Ingredients to Video”: You can upload or generate reference images to influence your video’s style, composition, or continuity—especially useful without premium character tools.

Native Audio Generation (with Ultra Plan + Veo 3): Premium users can auto-generate dialogue, sound effects, and music directly in Flow, streamlining production.

Asset Management: Flow’s tools for organizing prompts, characters, and visual elements are helpful for recurring projects or series-style videos.

Scenebuilder “Jump To” Transitions: This allows for dynamic scene changes while maintaining visual context, perfect for narrative storytelling across multiple environments.

Flow TV: A showcase of user-generated videos, Flow TV includes example prompts—an inspiring way to learn new techniques and spark creative ideas.

I’m excited to keep experimenting and see how far I can push the creative boundaries with AI video tools. If you're a fellow Toastmaster—or just curious about AI filmmaking—I highly recommend giving Google Flow a try!

[kevinpshanblog]

The Three Great Silent Comedians: An Analysis Beyond the Laughs

In the golden age of silent cinema, three masters of comedy stood above all others: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. While all three created timeless moments of hilarity and pathos, their approaches to comedy differed significantly in ways that continue to influence filmmaking today.

Chaplin: The Master of Pathos

Charlie Chaplin remains perhaps the most universally recognized of the silent clowns. His genius lay in his ability to blend heartbreaking pathos with comedy, creating emotional resonance that transcended language barriers. However, his early work at Mack Sennett's studio relied heavily on ad-libbing and often featured repetitive scenarios.

Chaplin's "Little Tramp" character, while iconic, represents both his greatest strength and limitation. By consistently playing the same archetypal figure, Chaplin created an instantly recognizable persona but sacrificed the versatility that might have allowed for more diverse storytelling.

Keaton: The Great Stone Face

Buster Keaton's brilliance shines through his masterful execution of ambitious stunts and meticulously crafted gags. His deadpan "stone face" expression created a perfect canvas for comedy, contrasting emotional chaos with physical stoicism.

Keaton's technical innovation and visual storytelling were shaped in part by his apprenticeship with Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, where he learned the craft of filmmaking from one of the era's most popular comedians. This formative experience helped develop Keaton's unparalleled eye for visual comedy and timing.

His films feature some of cinema's most jaw-dropping moments of physical comedy and ingenious visual effects. Yet, like Chaplin, Keaton's character development remained somewhat static across his filmography, often presenting variations on the same stoic persona.

Lloyd: The Overlooked Genius

While Chaplin and Keaton receive much deserved acclaim, Harold Lloyd remains somewhat underrated despite being arguably more financially successful than either during the 1920s. Lloyd's genius lay in his ability to portray genuinely relatable characters that audiences could identify with.

Unlike his contemporaries, Lloyd's "glasses character" allowed him remarkable versatility. In one film, he might play a shy, meek younger brother bullied by his siblings. In another, he could transform into a self-centered, wealthy socialite. And in yet another, he embodied the determined go-getter striving to win his beloved's heart.

What makes Lloyd's approach particularly ingenious was his understanding of audience dynamics. He pioneered the use of test screenings, refining his films based on audience reactions and re-shooting scenes that didn't land as intended. This methodology created a direct feedback loop with viewers that resulted in extraordinarily well-crafted comedies.

Why Lloyd Stands Apart

The true brilliance of Harold Lloyd's feature films from the 1920s lies in their relatability. When watching a Lloyd film, audiences didn't just admire a comic genius from a distance—they saw aspects of themselves or people they knew. His characters felt real, navigating situations that, while exaggerated for comedic effect, remained grounded in recognizable human experience.

This relatability factor explains why Lloyd's films, particularly classics like "Safety Last" (1923), continue to resonate with modern audiences. We may never hang from a clock face high above a city street, but we understand the desperation to succeed and impress that drives his character to such extremes.

The Legacy of Silent Comedy

What unites these three masters—beyond their undeniable talent and influence—is the complete creative control they exercised over their work. Each served as producer, director, and star of their films, allowing for a singular comic vision that remains remarkably fresh nearly a century later.

While personal preference may lead me to rank Lloyd's contributions slightly above his contemporaries, there's no denying that cinema would be immeasurably poorer without the collective genius of these three icons. Their films remain not just historical artifacts but living, breathing works of art that continue to inspire laughter and admiration in equal measure.

Beyond the Big Three: Exploring the Silent Comedy Universe

While Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd rightfully claim their places at the pinnacle of silent comedy, the era produced a wealth of other remarkable comedians worth exploring. The comedy landscape of the 1910s and 1920s was extraordinarily rich with talent, including many pioneers who influenced our celebrated trio.

Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle stands as one of silent comedy's most significant yet tragic figures. Before scandal derailed his career, Arbuckle was among the most popular and highest-paid performers in Hollywood, rivaling even Chaplin in fame. His natural physical grace despite his size made him a master of surprising athletic comedy. More importantly to cinema history, Arbuckle served as Buster Keaton's mentor, giving him his first film role and teaching him the technical aspects of filmmaking. Many of Keaton's directorial techniques and approaches to visual gags can be traced back to his formative years working in Arbuckle's company. Despite the devastating impact of controversy on his career, Arbuckle's contributions to comedy and his influence on Keaton's development remain invaluable to film history.

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, though best known for their sound films, began their careers in the silent era. Before forming their legendary partnership, both worked extensively as solo performers. Hardy often played the villain in early comedies, while Laurel was developing the persona that would later make him famous.

The Little Rascals (originally known as "Our Gang") began as silent shorts in 1922, offering a unique perspective through the adventures of their child performers. These charming shorts provide a fascinating glimpse into childhood during the era, filtered through the lens of comedy.

For fans of physical comedy, look no further than the often-overlooked works of Harry Langdon, whose "baby-faced" character brought a strange innocence to silent comedy. His collaboration with Frank Capra produced some truly remarkable films before his career declined in the sound era.

Equally deserving of attention is the work of Charley Chase, whose sophisticated situational comedies feature a more "everyday man" approach than his more famous contemporaries. His shorts with director Leo McCarey showcase a sharp wit and style that influenced generations of comedy filmmakers.

The next time you revisit a silent comedy, look beyond the slapstick and the gags to appreciate the distinct approaches these masters brought to their craft—particularly the often overlooked innovation and relatability that made Harold Lloyd's feature films of the 1920s absolute genius. And don't stop with just the famous names; there's a whole universe of silent comedy waiting to be rediscovered.

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A nice write up about Google NotebookLM 

Google NotebookLM

I’ve posted in the past about my uses of Google‘s notebook LM. This is a great ride up that goes into detail of each of the different functions available and why it’s something you should be thinking of using. Unlike most AI tools that scour the Internet for responses, notebook LM just uses the sources that you provide it.

A dedicated iOS and android client is coming soon. I’m already signed up to be notified when it drops on May 20. 

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From Lecture Synopsis to Interactive Mind Map with AI

Recently, I shared an AI-generated synopsis of a fascinating magic lecture I attended at the Society of American Magicians (read more). One of the key brainstorming techniques discussed during the lecture was mind mapping—a method I've valued for years to effectively capture meeting notes and organize project requirements.

Curious to see if my AI recording device could simplify creating a mind map from the lecture notes, I experimented by converting the AI-generated synopsis into Markdown format. From there, I easily transformed this Markdown outline into an interactive mind map using a handy free tool called Markmap.

For a detailed step-by-step guide on how I accomplished this, check out my full post here.

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How I Created a Custom Coloring Book: Blake Becomes Spider-Boy!

Creating a personalized coloring book was a fun and creative process. Here's how I made a full 8-page storybook starring a little boy named Blake who dreams of becoming Spider-Man and goes on a mini superhero adventure. This process used ChatGPT with image generation for simple, kid-friendly line art.

Step 1: Plan the Story and Pages

I started by outlining a simple and fun 8-page superhero story appropriate for young kids. Each page would include a title, a caption, and a simple image idea.

Here was my story summary:

“A little boy named Blake dreams of becoming Spider-Man. One day he wakes up with spidey powers. He meets a young Doc Octopus and fights him and wins.”

Step 2: Prompt by Prompt — Page Design & Generation

Each coloring page was built using a prompt that included:

A page number/title

A caption

A short description of the scene for image generation

Page 1: Blake’s Dream

Prompt:

Page 1: Blake’s Dream Caption: Blake loves Spider-Man. He dreams of swinging from buildings and saving the day! Image Idea: Blake in pajamas, sleeping in bed with a Spider-Man poster on the wall and toys beside

Page 2: A Strange Morning

Prompt:

Page 2 Caption: One morning, Blake woke up and something felt… different! Image Idea: Blake looking surprised at his hands, with little web shapes shooting out!

Pages 3 & 4 (Stacked): Spidey Powers / Trouble in Town

Prompt:

Stack these one on top of the other. Page 3: Spidey Powers Caption: He could climb walls and swing on webs—he had real spider powers! Image Idea: Blake climbing up the side of a house or tree, smiling proudly. Page 4: Trouble in Town Caption: But oh no! A new villain appeared—Young Doc Octopus! Image Idea: A goofy, kid-style Doc Ock with four silly robot arms causing trouble.

Pages 5 & 6 (Stacked): The Showdown / The Battle

Prompt:

Stack these two on top of each other. Page 5: The Showdown Caption: Spider-Boy Blake swings into action to stop the chaos! Image Idea: Blake swinging on a web, heading toward Young Doc Ock. Page 6: The Battle Caption: They twist, tangle, and tumble through the park in a friendly but fierce fight! Image Idea: Blake dodging robot arms with a determined look.

Page 7: Victory!

Prompt:

Page 7: Victory! Caption: With one last swing, Blake ties up Doc Ock and saves the day! Image Idea: Doc Ock tangled in webs, smiling sheepishly while Blake gives a superhero pose.

Page 8: Back to Playtime

Prompt:

Page 8: Back to Playtime Caption: Every hero needs a break—time for toys and snacks! Image Idea: Blake at home playing with action figures and smiling.

Step 3: Download and Print

After generating each page as a black-and-white coloring sheet, I saved all the images. I compiled them into a printable PDF to make a complete coloring book for Blake.

Creating Blake Becomes Spider-Boy! was easy and fun, and it made a perfect personalized keepsake. With a little imagination and the right tools, anyone can build their own custom coloring book!

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Magic Club Meeting Synopsis: Creative Problem-Solving in Magic Design

Tonight's Society of American Magicians Assembly #35 meeting featured an engaging presentation by Derrin Berger titled "20-something Tips for Creating, Problem-Solving, and Designing Magic." The workshop focused on innovative approaches to developing and improving magical effects through creative thinking and methodical problem-solving.

Derrin's presentation covered several key principles for magicians looking to enhance their craft:

Questioning Conventions: Challenging traditional methods and approaches to foster innovation

Balancing Multiple Elements: Considering the technical, presentational, and audience aspects of a trick

Problem-Solving Techniques: Practical exercises demonstrating how to overcome creative obstacles

Building on Foundations: Starting with established knowledge and expanding in new directions

Developing Knowledge Banks: Creating diverse pools of information and experiences to draw from

Taking Calculated Risks: Embracing creative exploration while maintaining magical principles

Attention to Detail: The importance of refining small elements for maximum impact

Method Mixing: Combining different techniques to create stronger effects

Audience-Centered Design: Prioritizing the spectator's experience over technical complexity

Derrin shared valuable anecdotes from his professional experience, including work on "The Carbonaro Effect," highlighting how these principles apply in real-world magical performances. His interactive exercises encouraged attendees to generate new ideas and apply creative thinking to existing tricks.

During the Q&A session, I asked Derrin about how Buster Keaton's work has influenced his approach to magic, connecting the evening's themes of creative problem-solving to one of history's most innovative physical comedians. This question explored the parallel between Keaton's precisely executed stunts and timing with the world of magic where misdirection and physical precision are essential.

The atmosphere was collaborative and energetic, with plenty of humor and engaging discussions. Derrin emphasized that innovation in magic comes from questioning "What if?" and exploring new possibilities rather than accepting established methods.

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Borscht Belt Presentation Summary

This is a synopsis of an event I attended at the local Poughkeepsie Library

Event Details

Title: The Borscht Belt: Revisiting the Remains of America's Jewish Vacation Lands

Presenter: Marissa Scheinfeld (Author and Photographer)

Venue: Poughkeepsie Public Library (Boardman Road branch)

Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Presentation Content

The presentation delivered a rich historical account of the Catskill Resorts during their Golden Age. Scheinfeld covered the evolution of the Borscht Belt from its humble beginnings in the lumber and tanning industries to its prominence as a premier Jewish vacation destination in the mid-20th century, and its eventual decline.

The narrative featured several key elements:

Historical Context: Origins of the Borscht Belt region and how it transformed into a vacation hotspot

Cultural Significance: The importance of these resorts as spaces where Jewish Americans could vacation without facing discrimination

Entertainment Legacy: Spotlight on notable performers who got their start in the Borscht Belt, including Danny Kaye and Mel Brooks

Visual Documentation: Extensive collection of historical photographs, vintage postcards, and ephemera that captured the spirit of the era

Personal Stories: Scheinfeld shared meaningful anecdotes that brought the history to life

The Historical Marker Project

A significant portion of the presentation focused on the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project, which Scheinfeld co-founded. This initiative works to preserve the physical memory of these important cultural landmarks through official historical markers.

My Experience

I purchased a copy of Scheinfeld's book "The Borscht Belt, Revisiting the Remains of America's Jewish Vacation Lands" for $35 and had it personally autographed by the author. This presentation aligns perfectly with my interest in the Borscht Belt history, which I've considered using as material for a future Toastmasters speech.

https://borschtbelthistoricalmarkerproject.org/

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Sons of the Desert Meeting Film Program - May 4, 2025

Today's gathering of our Laurel and Hardy appreciation society, the Sons of the Desert, in Ellenville delivered a memorable program filled with classic comedy:

Laurel & Hardy in "The Hoose-gow" (1929)

The program kicked off with the hilarious Laurel and Hardy short, "The Hoose-gow." This is one of their early sound films. This 1929 Hal Roach production throws Stan and Ollie into jail after being mistakenly caught up in a raid. The ensuing prison camp mayhem includes a fantastically messy rice-cooking sequence. Adding to the fun were familiar Laurel and Hardy regulars like Jimmy Finlayson as the governor, Tiny Sandford as the formidable warden, and Leo Willis as a notable inmate who interacts with the Boys (including that memorable suggestion about the rice!), whose presence always elevates the Boys' antics. It's a prime example of their escalating comedy and perfect timing.

Watch "The Hoose-gow" on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BKvd9CJhZbw?si=m1cHBJbpswbGzX8

Our Gang in "Wiggle Your Ears" (1929)

Next up was the delightful Our Gang (Little Rascals) silent short, "Wiggle Your Ears" from 1929. This charming comedy from Hal Roach centers on the kids' fascination with wiggling their ears. An interesting observation about this particular short is the extensive use of close-ups on the children's faces, unlike many other Our Gang films which feature more long shots and full body action. This felt like a deliberate stylistic experiment by the director, adding a unique feel to the film.

Watch "Wiggle Your Ears" on YouTube: https://youtu.be/necFNJTyP-E?si=TjDNJfL5goDXkLjN

Feature Presentation: "Hollywood Party" (1934)

Our feature film was the 1934 MGM musical comedy, "Hollywood Party." This film is quite the mishmash, largely serving as a Jimmy Durante vehicle. It features a series of sketches and musical numbers tied together by a loose plot involving Durante's character needing lions for his films, culminating in a jungle-themed party. While delivering various musical sections, there often seemed to be little rhyme or reason to their inclusion. And, spoiler alert – it all turns out to be a dream in the end!

Despite the film's disjointed nature, the Laurel and Hardy segment was, predictably, a major highlight with their classic egg-breaking routine. Other standout moments included seeing a pre-Columbia Pictures version of the Three Stooges appearing with their original straight man, Ted Healy. Also particularly imaginative and an amazing special effect for its time was the guest appearance by Mickey Mouse, actually interacting on screen with Jimmy Durante, years before similar techniques wowed audiences in films like "Who Framed Roger Rabbit."

Watch "Hollywood Party" (1934) on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A0XzjMjGAzo?si=mGjXEpzNG9nrGI4H

Our Sons of the Desert meetings continue to be a wonderful opportunity to appreciate these comedy pioneers and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow fans. If you're interested in classic film comedy and would like to join us, our meetings are held monthly in Ellenville from April through December.