John Bunny is mostly unknown to today’s comedy lovers, but in the early years of silent movies he was a reigning funnyman. Tony Susnick’s documentary traces the life and career of this long-forgotten entertainer, who appeared in 150 films between 1910 and his death in 1915. Born in New York City in 1863, Bunny initially worked as a railroad laborer before shifting to acting. His rotund figure and garrulous persona made him a natural choice as a supporting comic character actor, and he was active on the stage for many years. Bunny entered the film business at the Vitagraph Studios in Brooklyn, where he had to relearn his craft—the exaggerated emoting that worked well in live theater presentations needed to be significantly dialed down for the camera. Many of Bunny’s most popular films paired him with scrawny comic actress Flora Finch, and their work centered on mild situation-driven stories rather than the frenetic slapstick that most people today associate with comedy films from the silent era. Sadly, the majority of Bunny’s work is considered lost, and what remains may not be truly representative of his finest (four so-so shorts are included here). While Susnick’s interviews with contemporary scholars are rather homespun, this profile of a comedy pioneer may interest students of cinema history. Extras include an extended interview with author and film historian Sam Gill. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)
John Bunny: Film’s First King of Comedy
(2016) 41 min. DVD: $24.99. Mind Pilots Media (www.amazon.com).
John Bunny: Film’s First King of Comedy
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