Le Giornate del Cinema Muto 2006 Sommario / Contents

con il suo pubblico, ma allo stesso tempo descrive sapientemente le
carriere dei silent clowns, analizza i loro film e fornisce, senza parere,
una mole di informazioni. Soprattutto, comunica intenso affetto ed
ammirazione per i suoi eroi. La serie, prodotta dalla BBC Bristol, è
nata a partire dal coinvolgimento personale di Merton nelle prime due
edizioni del Bristol Slapstick Festival, che in parte deve a lui la sua
stessa esistenza ed il suo ragguardevole successo. Le scene con il
pubblico dal vivo sono state girate perlopiù al Bristol Watershed, ma,
in parte, anche alle Giornate del Cinema Muto del 2005, in occasione
della presentazione di You’re Darn’Tootin’; e molte familiari figure delle
Giornate appaiono nei programmi, insieme a collaboratori
d’eccezione come Marcel Marceau che dichiara la sua adorazione per
Chaplin. Fra i materiali d’archivio, un’intervista con Marvin Hatley, il
compositore della “Dance of the Cuckoos” di Stanlio ed Ollio.
Ogni programma si conclude con la proiezione di uno dei
cortometraggi più significativi del comico esaminato. La serie è stata
accolta con un eccezionale consenso di critica e di pubblico
(l’episodio su Keaton ha avuto il più alto indice d’ascolto mai raggiunto
da BBC4 con un documentario). – DAVID ROBINSON
This apparently easy-going and playful television documentary series may
well have struck a significant blow for the wider acceptance and
understanding of silent cinema in Britain and perhaps further afield.That
one of Britain’s most popular comedians should present the work of five
great silent filmmaker clowns – not in a spirit of condescension or nostalgia,
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but out of sheer professional admiration and even reverence – was a
massive commendation in the sight of a popular public; and Paul Merton
calls on other comedy contemporaries to supplement his own valuation of
the surpassing skills of these classic forebears. Merton fools and gags and
chats to his live audiences; but at the same time he is a genuine authority
on silent comedy, and painlessly imparts a great deal of information,
instruction, and analysis of the films.Above all, he communicates an intense
affection and admiration for his heroes.As the reaction of the contemporary
audiences reveal, he leaves them in no doubt that these films are funnier
than anything they can see anywhere else today.
The series was produced by BBC Bristol, and evolved from Merton’s
personal involvement with the first two editions of the Bristol Slapstick
Festival, which to a great extent owes its existence and outstanding success
to his energetic support.The scenes with live audience were shot mainly at
Bristol Watershed, but in part at the 2005 Giornate del Cinema Muto, on
the occasion of the performance of You’re Darn Tootin’; and a good many
familiar Giornate figures appear throughout the programmes, alongside
contributors as distinguished as Marcel Marceau, declaring his worship of
Chaplin.Archival film includes an interview with Marvin Hatley, composer of
Laurel and Hardy’s “Dance of the Cuckoos”.
Each of the programmes concludes with a complete screening of an
outstanding short by the subject of the episode. On its first screening this
year the series received outstanding press reviews; and the Keaton episode
achieved the highest-ever viewing figures for a factual programme on BBC4.
DAVID ROBINSON
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