Lupino Lane Silent Comedian Kickstarter
Greetings, classic film aficionados,
I’m so happy, I’m doing the Lambeth Walk (look it up). Why? A Kickstarter project was announced today to release several rare silent comedy shorts starring forgotten acrobat/comedian Lupino Lane on Blu-ray and DVD. Lane is an actor that I know from some of his supporting parts in early talkies of the Thirties, but I’ve never seen his most celebrated silent work. Based upon the video imbedded above, I think I’m in for a treat.
I highly encourage you to watch the video above and support this Kickstarter. By the way, I have received confirmation that the DVD and Blu-ray (your choice) will be region-free, so they will be viewable world-wide. I’ve copied the details below, but here is the link to the Kickstarter: Lupino Lane Silent Comedian
Hello. I’m Dave Glass, and Dave Wyatt and I are pleased to announce (roll the drums)…. our 2nd Kickstarter appeal !!
To showcase the talents of a very special British comedian, LUPINO LANE. A member of the famous Lupino family, Lupino Lane was a major star, both in the UK and the USA. His acrobatic comedic skills rivalled those of Keaton and with his brother Wallace, he produced some of the best two reel comedies of the 1920s.
Many of these are either lost or locked away in archives – and those that are available, are often in poor quality.
Our vision was to unearth some of these rarities and make them available for the fans.
Well, we’re delighted to say that we have some exceptional prints (most are 2K scans of nitrate) of some VERY rare films.
Through the generosity of Serge Bromberg and Lobster Films, Elif & Co at the EYE Film Museum and Patrick Stanbury (Photoplay) we present the following films:
HELLO SAILOR (1927) (one of the special event hits at Pordenone 2019)
SWORD POINTS (1928) (35mm 4K restoration)
FISTICUFFS (1928) (even Steve Massa hasn’t seen this one!!)
SUMMER SAPS (1929) (complete 2 reel version!)
GOOD NIGHT NURSE (1929) (new scan of 35mm nitrate)
BATTLING SISTERS (1929) (hilarious gender reversal comedy)
JOYLAND (1929) (the complete ‘Toyland’ rarity – a Joy!)
AND….. we hope to add one more to that list. (We’re still “negotiating”, so we don’t want to commit to anything just yet. But it’ll be a goodie!!)
Some of the films currently have French / Dutch main and inter-titles, which we’ll get translated and remade – like we did with our previous Kickstarter for Lloyd Hamilton comedies…
AND because these prints are high quality digital scans, we wanted you to be able to see them in their best possible quality, so we’re offering you the choice of both DVD or Blu-Ray.
As before, all films will include specially recorded musical accompaniment. In fact, we can already announce that two of Serge’s films already have their musicial accompaniment recorded…. by maestro Neil Brand.
…and the DVD/Blu-Ray box art will of course be produced by a professional graphic designer.
…and there’ll be a “booklet” insert too, featuring specially composed essays by Lupino Lane experts Matthew Ross and Glenn Mitchell.
We suggest watching the accompanying promo video, which will give a full overview of the project, including clips from the films to be included.
AND, there will be more Lupino Lane to come. We’ve been liaising with Eric Grayson, and he’s planning to provide a second volume of this remarkable comedian’s work at a later date. Stay tuned!
So, if successful, we aim to get this thing done and dusted and in your hands by the end of July 2020 (and sooner if we can!)
and just a few final things to say….
– The pledge amount includes postage & packing (shipping). We think that’s fair. However, just as there is for overseas backers who pledge USA projects, there will be an additional charge to help towards the extra shipping costs.
– This release will be produced purely for those that back it. Because of the various different archives involved in this project, there are no plans to make it available afterwards.
– This appeal is only set to run for 30 days, so if you dither you miss it! Don’t delay…. pledge today!! (and please spread the word too! – thanks).
Lupino Lane was an incredibly gifted comedian.
Lovers of film comedy will now be able to see these rare films in their best possible quality and experience the unique talents of this wonderful entertainer.
Thank you.
The Dave’s (Glass and Wyatt)
