Comedy Clippings

Let's go back to those thrilling days of yesteryear and revisit a few comedy icons of the past.


Ben Turpin, Heinie Conklin (Charles Lynn) and Marie Prevost

Billie Ritchie

 
This is an interesting portrait of Billie Ritchie published in Film Fun magazine.  It reportedly depicts Ritchie at the time that he was appearing in Karno's "A Night in the Music Hall" sketch, which would mean it was taken some time between 1903 and 1906.  If we accept that this portrait was properly identified, then it means the portrait predates the first appearance of Chaplin's Tramp character by several years and it supports Ritchie's claim that he in fact originated the Tramp costume.  But the fact is that Ritchie played a fashionably dressed swell in the Karno sketch.  The character was both awkwardly drunk and impeccably stylish at the same time.  Ritchie most likely wore a tuxedo for the sketch.  He did not wear the outfit shown in this photo.

Blanche Payson

Dorothy Devore 

One Stormy Knight (1922)

 
Taylor Holmes

Gale Henry

Hank Mann

Hughie Mack

Larry Semon

Lloyd Hamilton

Lupino Lane

Pokes and Jabs
 

Speed Kings (1915)

Roscoe Arbuckle