The Legends of Laughter at the Park Ridge Public Library

Post college the greatest gift I ever received was a few film classes I took at the University of Chicago. Rather amazingly, over the next few years, different film historians (notably Michael Wilmington and Roger Ebert) I saw a slew of silent films, with entire courses dedicated to the art form. Most people grumble about silent films, but here's the truth, you have no idea what you are missing out on, especially the works of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.

Without these three men, film would not be what it is today. They made the medium of film more popular than ever, created innovations not previously seen and their films are truly timeless. Whenever I throw on one of my DVD's or catch a film on Turner Classic Movies, I can't help but smile endlessly. There is sweeping innocence to the stories and performances and you can't help but be swept up in the characters and films...if you give them a chance.

If you have any interest, go to the Park Ridge Library every Thursday from now until June 2, entitled "Legends of Laughter". Matthew C Hoffman, a long standing employee of the library, is hosting a wonderful series of silent films at 6:30pm every Thursday nights. Matthew is well educated on the films and the size of the audiences is growing with each passing week. I can't recommend the series more highly. Steamboat Bill, Jr. is this coming Thursday April 14th and is one of the most enlivening of Buster Keaton's films.

For more information go to the Legends of Laughter website HERE.
Also check out the Park Ridge Library website with info on the series HERE