EXPLORING SILENT ERA

The dark side of the silent film era will come to the big screen this weekend. The making of Looking for Charlie has been a three-year labour of love for its directors, Coventry University history lecturers Darren Reid and Brett Sanders.

Their film – which was made with the help of university students – Looking for Charlie tells the story of comedians Marceline Orbes and Francis “Slivers” Oakley and their connection to Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton.

During the early 20th century the pair entertained audiences of thousands in theatres in New York and across America, inspiring silent film stars Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, who even recreated some of their routines.

But after cinema became more popular, Orbes and Oakley dropped out of the limelight and both ended up dying in obscurity after committing suicide.

The film will be screened at the Museum of the Moving Image, Deal, on Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17.

It looks at issues of depression, suicide, memory, influence and the powers of cinema and laughter. A team of 18 history undergraduate students served as the film’s crew, helping produce and sound edit the documentary as well as acting. The film-makers recreated the comedians’ routines – filming one in New York’s Central Park – and also interviewed film experts. Dr Reid said: “To see the film being released to a wider audience is such an honour, especially as it allows us to bring forgotten stories, like those of Chaplin and Keaton’s mentors, Marceline Orbes and Francis Oakley, back to the public’s attention.

“We’re releasing the film on our own terms, rolling it out to venues just like an old silent feature from the turn of the century. It’s giving us a chance to visit some of cinema’s most important historic sites, and speak directly to lovers of film and history.

“The film tells a really compelling story. It looks at the history of depression and how people have struggled with it in different circumstances, as well as showing how performers, comedians in particular, have shaped our cultural landscape.” Doors open at 6pm for the 6.30pm screenings at the museum in Stanhope Road. To find out more go to kentmomi.org.