"Cruel and Unusual Comedy: Social Commentary in the American Slapstick Film" Film Program
The Museum of Modern Art
This event has ended.
This series examines how silent-era slapstick comedy treats social, cultural, and political topics that continue to be central concerns in America today. Rude forms of comedy have long used incendiary subjects like industrialization, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, violence, and substance abuse as vital source material - and enjoyed great success with mass audiences. The exhibition draws on a body of
silent work that is a particular strength of the Museum's film collection. Since these films touch on a number of potentially sensitive issues, each screening features an
introduction that will provide context. All films are from the U.S. and are silent, with piano accompaniment by Ben Model.
[Image: Hal Roach "Haunted Spooks (still)" (1920) Courtesy of Harold Lloyd Entertainment]
Media
Schedule
from May 20, 2009 to June 01, 2009