THE CHARLEY CHASE TALKIES: 1929-1940
book written by James L. Neibaur
review by Lord Heath, October 27th, 2013
To study the career of an almost-obscure subject is hard enough to do, but when you consider the lack of availability of Charley Chase films on DVD and on the home market, it makes the job almost impossible. Yet author Neibaur has pulled off an exhausting research of the sound films of one of cinema's most under-rated comedians and has done so in style!
To put things into perspective, this book does for its subject what Randy Skretvedt's "The Magic Behind The Movies" book does for Laurel & Hardy. With 80 films reviewed and discussed at length throughout the book's bulky 365 pages, this is the new contender for one of the best books ever written on any subject connected with the Hal Roach Studios.
The book does not waste time or pages that would otherwise bore the reader with long prefaces, credits or text that you would usually skip. We begin with a chapter on Chase's silent films (and there were many of them!), which runs for seven pages - and then it's down to the nitty gritty of the book.
Lobby cards and stills break up the text and can be found scattered throughout the passages of the book. An index which spans 5 pages, and an appendix which features a section that deals with the films written, produced or directed by Chase himself.
Generous credit is offered to authors Brian Anthony and Andy Edmonds for work they previously published on Charley Chase; but much of this book is the original work of the author Neibaur, who writes with both enthusiasm and passion for his subject. If you can look beyond the stiff price tag it carries, then I can assure you it will be money well spent.
One thing is for certain, fans of Charley Chase reading it will find themselves hunting down collectors to get their hands on the films!
I thoroughly recommend this book for anyone interested in Charley Chase, Laurel and Hardy or production at the Hal Roach Studios during the 1930s.
***** 5/5
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This review has also been submitted to Amazon
book written by James L. Neibaur
review by Lord Heath, October 27th, 2013
To study the career of an almost-obscure subject is hard enough to do, but when you consider the lack of availability of Charley Chase films on DVD and on the home market, it makes the job almost impossible. Yet author Neibaur has pulled off an exhausting research of the sound films of one of cinema's most under-rated comedians and has done so in style!
To put things into perspective, this book does for its subject what Randy Skretvedt's "The Magic Behind The Movies" book does for Laurel & Hardy. With 80 films reviewed and discussed at length throughout the book's bulky 365 pages, this is the new contender for one of the best books ever written on any subject connected with the Hal Roach Studios.
The book does not waste time or pages that would otherwise bore the reader with long prefaces, credits or text that you would usually skip. We begin with a chapter on Chase's silent films (and there were many of them!), which runs for seven pages - and then it's down to the nitty gritty of the book.Lobby cards and stills break up the text and can be found scattered throughout the passages of the book. An index which spans 5 pages, and an appendix which features a section that deals with the films written, produced or directed by Chase himself.
Generous credit is offered to authors Brian Anthony and Andy Edmonds for work they previously published on Charley Chase; but much of this book is the original work of the author Neibaur, who writes with both enthusiasm and passion for his subject. If you can look beyond the stiff price tag it carries, then I can assure you it will be money well spent.
One thing is for certain, fans of Charley Chase reading it will find themselves hunting down collectors to get their hands on the films!
I thoroughly recommend this book for anyone interested in Charley Chase, Laurel and Hardy or production at the Hal Roach Studios during the 1930s.
***** 5/5
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This review has also been submitted to Amazon
