A Harry Langdon Finding Aid

There’s not a ton of middle ground on silent screen comedian Harry Langdon (1884-1944). The few who know him either love or hate him, and those who love him are vastly outnumbered. I’m among the Langdon-lovers, and frequently find myself inclined to place him third in the silent comedy rankings, behind only Chaplin and Keaton, the slot traditionally given to Harold Lloyd. This being his natal day, we now unveil this finding aid to the posts on him here, for the lovers, the haters, and the curious.

The Langdon biographical post

Langdon in my silent comedy rankings

Soldier Man (1926)

Tramp Tramp Tramp (1926)

The Strong Man (1926)

Long Pants (1927)

His First Flame (1927)

Three’s a Crowd (1927)

The Chaser (1928)

Heart Trouble (1928)

Langdon’s Talkies

Hallelujah, I’m A Bum (1933)

Zenobia (1939)

On the 2019 Harry Langdon Film Festival in Niles, California

Langdon Collaborators

Vernon Dent

Frank Capra

Harry Edwards

Arthur Ripley

For more on the history of vaudeville where Harry Langdon got his start,consult No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous, and for more on classic comedy (including the films of Harry Langdon) please check out my book: Chain of Fools: Silent Comedy and Its Legacies from Nickelodeons to Youtube.