Let's get Red Nose reddy
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Buy new:
-18% £13.05
£4.11 delivery Monday, 10 February
Dispatches from: Amazon
Sold by: Amazon
£13.05 with 18 percent savings
RRP: £15.99
£4.11 delivery Monday, 10 February. Details
Or fastest delivery Saturday, 8 February. Order within 6 hrs 40 mins. Details
Only 3 left in stock (more on the way).
££13.05 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
££13.05
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Delivery cost, delivery date and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Dispatches from
Amazon
Amazon
Dispatches from
Amazon
Sold by
Amazon
Amazon
Sold by
Amazon
Returns
Returnable within 30 days of receipt
Returnable within 30 days of receipt
Item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund within 30 days of receipt
Read full Amazon return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
£3.69
Order will be shipped within 24 hours from our UK based warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. We offer a full money back guarantee should you not be satisfied with your order in any way. Order will be shipped within 24 hours from our UK based warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. We offer a full money back guarantee should you not be satisfied with your order in any way. See less
£4.99 delivery 12 February - 4 March. Details
Only 3 left in stock.
££13.05 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
££13.05
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Delivery cost, delivery date and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Dispatched from and sold by Infinite_Books.
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Paul Merton
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Silent Comedy Paperback – International Edition, 7 May 2009

by Paul Merton (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 30 ratings
See all formats and editions
on any 4 Qualifying items | Terms
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"£13.05","priceAmount":13.05,"currencySymbol":"£","integerValue":"13","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"05","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"poi1pRzIT2XDsi1WwM48N8R%2BPdnwCUC%2F%2FX9rHfURp44wAOxpVTvEjLpgEXB%2FSq65QT0w9J4RGzU5VbNVywD7qiPzkm3GGLmC580MhMBXqOHcoeDTFw6LSN07irX7i0lJ","locale":"en-GB","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"£3.69","priceAmount":3.69,"currencySymbol":"£","integerValue":"3","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"69","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"poi1pRzIT2XDsi1WwM48N8R%2BPdnwCUC%2FpzjJV1h2soltQKBoxD%2BX8eZWTZmnodDWUgAJIVmgz536Ic1bLj4J%2F4KmwTmr8ySM4ESVgr8FfUlKalWBN7KqTMrO20PwGYGNAInuplqlVzAgA9z6nrIkvhxV5GSHGiZrylmH%2BfIimWewAvbiHmBNi0dNSQ8chwph","locale":"en-GB","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

On the surface it may seem slightly surprising that a master of verbal humour should also be a devotee of silent comedy, but Paul Merton is completely passionate about the early days of Hollywood comedy and the comic geniuses who dominated it. His knowledge is awesome - as anyone who watched his BBC 4 series Silent Clowns or attended the events he has staged nationwide will agree - his enthusiasm is infectious, and these qualities are to be found in abundance in his book.

Starting with the very earliest pioneering short films, he traces the evolution of silent comedy through the 1900s and considers the works of the genre's greatest exponents - Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and Harold Lloyd - showing not only how each developed in the course of their career but also the extent to which they influenced each other. At the same time, Paul brings a comedian's insight to bear on the art of making people laugh, and explores just how the great comic ideas, routines, gags and pratfalls worked and evolved. His first book for ten years, this is destined to be a classic.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Arrow
  4. Publication date
    7 May 2009
  5. Dimensions
    12.7 x 2.29 x 20.32 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0099510138
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0099510130
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details

Product description

Review

Silent Comedy is a terrific history of props and pratfalls...I'm a better person for having read this ― The Times

***** Such is Merton's enthusiasm that his story grips throughout. ― Mail on Sunday

An awestruck and knowledgeable introduction to Hollywood's earliest funsters...lovingly researched ― Daily Telegraph

Penned with genuine passion...both well crafted and carefully researched ― Film Review

He makes some striking biographical connections the rest of us have missed ... he certainly knows his subject. -- Kevin Brownlow ― Spectator

From the Back Cover

On the surface it may seem slightly surprising that a master of verbal humour should also be a devotee of silent comedy, but Paul Merton is completely passionate about the early days of Hollywood comedy and the comic geniuses who dominated it. His knowledge is awesome as anyone who watched his BBC 4 series Silent Clowns or attended the events he has staged nationwide will agree his enthusiasm is infectious, and these qualities are to be found in abundance in his book.

Starting with the very earliest pioneering short films, he traces the evolution of silent comedy through the 1900s and considers the works of the genre s greatest exponents Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and Harold Lloyd showing not only how each developed in the course of their career but also the extent to which they influenced each other. At the same time, Paul brings a comedian s insight to bear on the art of making people laugh, and explores just how the great comic ideas, routines, gags and pratfalls worked and evolved. His first book for ten years, this is destined to be a classic.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arrow (7 May 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0099510138
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0099510130
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.7 x 2.29 x 20.32 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Paul Merton

Paul Merton

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
30 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Ralph Caton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Silents is golden.....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 February 2015
    Verified Purchase
    There have been critiques published here criticising Paul Merton's style - it's true he describes the action in a number of films thoroughly as he analyses the motivation behind the action on screen. This might be said to spoil the enjoyment of seeing the film (seriously, can one have spoilers for a film over three quarters of a century old?) but I find it enlightening and it encourages me to search the movies out (in decent prints or at least better than Elstree Hill) and observe them anew. I got into silent comedy through the Robert Youngson compilations, themselves historic artifacts now and evidence of a very different attitude to slapstick when they were made. Next came the BBC2 reruns in the 80's of silent classics late at night, and then of course the flowering of the Thames Silents series and Kevin Brownlows "Hollywood" series, long overdue a DVD release in the UK (although the rights would be a nightmare)...
    I would say that Paul Mertons book is a very good guide to the development of the silent comedy, and well worth a read.

    So buy it m'kay?
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Puzzle Princess
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 May 2013
    I agree with both sides on this one. Initially found the book very entertaining, I couldn't put it down. Really interesting, gives us a timeline on the development of the genre in an fresh way. Rather than doing the obvious and having a chapter on each of the stars, Merton takes us through time with the stars coming along with the reader. Paul Merton's love of his subject shines through in every page and he wants us to love the silent screen as much as he does. He seems to be saying to the reader "this film is great..it starts off with...then Charlie Chaplin does...then Harold Lloyd appears dressed as a sailor..." seemingly taking the reader through every scene in every silent film of any note ever made. Sadly, there was just too much of it, long descriptive passages of plots and gags over and over again. In frustration found I was skipping through these sections in order to concentrate on the lives of the stars themselves, which were fascinating, and very well researched. More than enough to keep the real enthusiast entertained but those with only a passing interest in silent cinema may find themselves nodding off in the back row!
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Tin Tactoo
    5.0 out of 5 stars From start to finish, a classic!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 February 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Having seen the Paul Merton TV programs that this book relates to, this is an enjoyable read and totally engrossing and quite unputdownable and the research it must have taken is quite something, more so with a lot of the anecdotes, but it begs the question why not another series as there is not a lot to offer in the way of real entertainment on the telly at the present (or over the past few years as entertainment is in decline in favor of cheapo cooking shows) to merit any applause. A very good book and really recommended. 5 Stars
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Michael O'Connor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Paul Merton Genius
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 June 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I felt like the way I read this book was Me being Paul Merton writing it. He embodies the subject in such a way I think Silent Comedy needs to be passed down as a subject for Education before we die a death of FaceAche, Karcrashians &txt speek in it. Irony is what Paul loves & long May he continue. His BBC3 Documentary on Hollywood best ever seen.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Miked
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good for a laugh!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A semi-serious look at the history of comedy, by one of the best. Well worth reading.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Colin Brown
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but could be better
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 December 2009
    I'm very much enjoying this book. Mr Merton has a real feel for the comedy, and is opinionated and crtical in his discussion of the films. The book has made me want to find out more, and most signficantly watch the films.

    However, most of the book is detailed scene by scene description of the films. Whilst this is sometimes interesting when it is informative or Mr Merton is giving some insight (or speculating), too often it descends into very repetitive waffle that I find myself skipping through. It could have been better with greater insight, but as it is I feel watching the films would be better! The absence of any bibliography points to not much research beyond watching the films? But I'm being too harsh - you'll enjoy this book but it will leave you wanting more; and that's maybe no bad thing for what is a different media
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Me
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 December 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting
    Helpful
     Report
  • anonymous
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, but misleading title
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 January 2008
    This book is a wonderful read, illustrated tremendously and is a thoroughly well researched book by a man who is not just a wonderfully witty wordsmith, but an obvious fan of the subject.

    The only problem I have with the book is that it should have eluded within the title that it is about the early Silent Comedy Films, as it will give the impression to the reader that Silent Comedy ended with the introduction of Sound and I feel this is not the case. (Mr Bean, Eric Sykes, Mel Brooks) On page 284 discussing the arrival of sound it states, `A whole new generation of screen entertainers appeared: The Marx Brothers, Eddie Cantor and Al Jolson were all vibrant vocal performers with musical skills aplenty.' It fails to mention that a member of the Marx Brothers was a silent comedian, considered by many as the greatest physical/Silent comedian of them all.

    But this is stupid nit-picking... Anyone who was aware what Paul Merton has been up to recently would have known what is contained in this book. I remember watching Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Laurel and Hardy during my childhood and this book, now, makes me want to see them on the big screen with live musical accompaniment... Paul, please bring your Silent Clowns lecture to Ireland.
    10 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Barbara Helen
    5.0 out of 5 stars well written
    Reviewed in the United States on 23 February 2013
    Verified Purchase
    As an American, I hadnt heard of this comic before, but he obviously loves the old masters. As someone who studies the silent comic masters, I dont agree with all his personal views, but that doesnt take away from the fact that he puts it all together well.
    Report
  • Gordon Nale
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book andf Great Customer Service!
    Reviewed in the United States on 4 February 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Great book about silent film comedy - written by a man who is very passionate about the subject. Book came in great condition. The seller was great to work with. Highly recommended!
    Report
  • Stable boy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Film Scholarship
    Reviewed in the United States on 8 August 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A very good read for any devotee of silent comedy. Mr. Merton's scholarship is clear.
    Report