8mm Forum: What Music for Silent Comedies?

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Posted by Richard Bock (Member # 1926) on February 14, 2013, 08:47 AM:

On another thread, someone asked what music to play with silent films. I have no problem with silent films being silent, especially the features. For Laurel and Hardy, I use Leroy Shields (the original composer of the Laurel and Hardy 'sound') played by the Australian band with original instruments, The Beau Hunks. It sounds very much like the original as they are playing Leroy Shields' original music. Both CD's are chocked full of music for silent comedies.

http://www.amazon.com/Show-Leroy-Shield/dp/B000005 YQ7/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1360851321&sr=1-1&keywords=leroy+shield

Also played by the Beau Hunks from Leroy Shields, many of the Laurel and Hardy film's music.

http://www.amazon.com/Hu nks-Original-Laurel-Hardy-Music/dp/B00002838I/ref=sr_1_6?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1360851489&sr=1-6&keywords=laurel+and+hardy+music

Terrific music, highly recommended.

For Chaplin I go to James P. Johnson on piano solo or Jelly Roll Morton piano solos.

Posted by Dino Everette (Member # 1378) on February 20, 2013, 01:49 AM:

Richard for comedies I have always had good luck with instrumental jazz 78's...I have a bunch loaded on my ipod, and I just hit shuffle and let them play and it always amazes me how often they will fall right into place with the action on screen. I think there was a standard rhythm to silent comedy that matches up naturally with early jazz..

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on February 20, 2013, 08:32 AM:

You had some excellent accompaniment at the last CINSEA, some of the music was from Killiam's "Movie Museum", where can I get a copy of that? - Shorty

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on February 20, 2013, 04:44 PM:

When TCM played the Our Gang silents a few years ago, they used the same few pieces of music over and over again. It drove me crazy. I eventually just turned the sound off.
[Big Grin]

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on February 21, 2013, 08:36 AM:

Wear earplugs

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on February 22, 2013, 06:12 PM:

Huh? I can't hear you.

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