Slapstick Festival 2024

Presenting the 20th annual Slapstick Film Festival! Join us for five days of laughter to warm up the chilly February half-term.

We're bringing you a fabulous array of events this year, including top silent comedies accompanied by exceptional musical talent.

Rediscover silent comedy's golden era with Graeme Garden's exploration of Lloyd Hamilton's comedy. Experience a triple-bill of events featuring women in silent comedy with Lucy Porter introducing Norma Talmadge’s escapades in Kiki. And don't miss our two special Buster Keaton events, featuring admirers Dana Stevens and Polly Rose.

Plus, Sylvester McCoy, Christina Newland, and Robin Ince will also be adding their unique talents to the festivities.

For the full programme head to www.slapstick.org.uk.


Upcoming screenings & events in this season

Soviet Comedies of the 1920s with Pamela Hutchinson +  Chess Fever
Fri 14 Feb 11:40
Film

Writer, film historian and Silent London blogger Pamela Hutchinson bring us a presentation highlighting the influence of 1920s Soviet silent comedies.

Previous screenings & events in this season

Big Jim and the Figaro Club
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2024
Film

It has been called ‘the lost great sit-com’, ‘an unsung masterpiece’, ‘a delight’ and ‘ahead of its time’ but now you can enter the world of this lamentably short-lived series that was made in Bristol.

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2024
Film

A fun-for-all-the-family Relaxed Screening of comedy horror masterpiece of one of the USA’s most popular Slapstick comedy double acts.

Live from New York - Camera Man: Buster Keaton
Please note: This event took place in Feb 2024
Event

Andrew Kelly hosts a conversation direct from New York with Dana Stevens, author of the best-selling Camera Man: Buster Keaton, the Dawn of Cinema and the Invention of the Twentieth Century.

Kiki

Slapstick 2024
Kiki
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2024
Film

Norma Talmadge is best-remembered for silent melodramas but she was a fine comedy actor, too, as proved by this Paris-set romcom.

Lloyd Hamilton: The Comedians’ Comedian
Please note: This event took place in Feb 2024
Event

So why was Lloyd Hamilton so admired by his peers virtually forgotten now - and is this deserved? Find out from Graeme Garden and an array of clips. With live piano accompaniment from John Sweeney.

Laurel & Hardy – Year One
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2024
Film

Slapstick supporter and comedian Robin Ince hosts an enthusiastic panel of Stan and Ollie admirers as they revel in the global effort which has gone into finding and restoring the films made by the pair in 1927.

Live From New York: A Comedy Horror special
Please note: This event took place in Feb 2024
Event

Halloween is past, but Ben Model and Steve Massa bring it back with a live performance of three surreal and scary shorts.

Up In Mabel’s Room

Slapstick 2024
Up In Mabel’s Room
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2024
Film

This romantic silent farce sees Marie Prevost meeting, falling for and marrying Harrison Ford (Hollywood’s first of the name!) only to divorce him after she discovers he’s secretly bought some daring female underwear which she believes is for another woman.

Keaton Speaks!

Slapstick 2024
Keaton Speaks!
Please note: This event took place in Feb 2024
Event

Buster Keaton researcher Polly Rose focuses on three films exemplifying the best of Keaton’s speaking roles – two in acclaimed comedy shorts from the 1930s, the third as the lead in a British television drama from 1954.

What Happened to Jones
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2024
Film

This delightful comedy showcases the talents of silent star Reginald Denny. Denny, known for his portrayal of the all-American man brings his unique comedic style to one of his finest and funniest films.

Barry Cryer: Same Time Tomorrow
Please note: This event took place in Feb 2024
Event

In this event Bob Cryer draws on material from his highly-praised book Barry Cryer: Same Time Tomorrow and shares his personal memories and favourite Cryer gags with Andrew Kelly.

Exit Smiling

Slapstick 2024
Exit Smiling
Please note: This was screened in Feb 2024
Film

Beatrice Lillie was already a stage superstar and billed as ‘the funniest woman in the world’ when she made her Hollywood debut in this film.

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