{"product_id":"slapstick-comedy-afi-film-readers-essential-silent-era-essays","title":"Slapstick Comedy (AFI Film Readers) - Essential Silent Era Essays","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Slapstick Comedy (AFI Film Readers) the bottom line is clear: this essay collection is essential for readers who want a rigorous, contextual understanding of American silent comedy. Edited by Tom Paulus and Rob King, the volume collects fourteen scholarly essays that trace slapstick from stage traditions to cinematic spectacle, and it stands out for reframing familiar icons like Chaplin's Tramp and the Bathing Beauties within film history and cultural debate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurated essays:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fourteen scholarly contributions provide multiple angles on slapstick, offering readers a range of critical frameworks rather than a single thesis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essays map slapstick's development from theatrical origins to cinematic forms, which helps contextualize early film techniques and industrial practices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus on spectacle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Several pieces examine stunts, crazy technology and skyscraper perils, clarifying how physical risk and visual spectacle shaped audience responses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFilmmaker studies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Contributors analyze key directors and performers, helping readers see how individual artists shaped the style of early slapstick.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical engagement:\u003c\/strong\u003e The volume links slapstick to film form and spectatorship theories, making it useful for students and teachers of film studies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlapstick Comedy is aimed at film students, scholars and serious enthusiasts of silent cinema who want scholarly perspectives rather than a popular history. Its essays assume some familiarity with film studies vocabulary and interest in critical debates over origins and spectatorship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a light, illustrated coffee-table history or a beginner's primer on comedy icons may want a more introductory book; this collection is best when used alongside film screenings or classroom discussion where dense argumentation can be unpacked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eProvides diverse scholarly perspectives that challenge longstanding critical dogma about slapstick.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eConnects specific comic devices and stunts to broader film form and cultural meaning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eIncludes focused studies on pivotal filmmakers and recurring visual motifs, useful for research and teaching.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eThe academic tone and density of argument may be demanding for casual readers or those without prior exposure to film theory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlapstick Comedy (AFI Film Readers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEditors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTom Paulus, Rob King\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFourteen scholarly essays on silent-era slapstick\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus areas\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheatrical origins, stunts, filmmakers, film form and spectatorship\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFilm students, scholars, serious enthusiasts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmerican silent comedy and cultural history\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor readers invested in film history and critical analysis, Slapstick Comedy delivers a substantive, well-curated set of essays that reframes familiar silent-era icons and practices. It is good value as a reference and classroom text because it combines historical detail with theoretical insight, though casual readers may find its tone dense.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this volume focus on specific comedians like Chaplin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; contributors discuss figures such as Chaplin and broader phenomena like the Bathing Beauties while situating them in historical and theoretical contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for classroom use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the essays are appropriate for undergraduate and graduate seminars in film studies, especially when paired with film viewings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill a casual reader enjoy it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCasual readers may find the scholarly style demanding, so those seeking an introductory or heavily illustrated overview should look elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tom Paulus, Rob King","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48152118984923,"sku":"0415801788","price":249.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/41p-1VYIwWL._SL1360.jpg?v=1768486618","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/slapstick-comedy-afi-film-readers-essential-silent-era-essays","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}