My Name Is Roscoe | The Life & Legacy of "Fatty" Arbuckle | A Docu-Mini
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ธ.ค. 2024
- He mentored Charlie Chaplin, discovered Buster Keaton, and changed film comedy forever - before a scandal destroyed his career. His name was Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle. Though you may recognize his name or face, few know the heartbreaking story of his life. This documentary short takes a look back at his controversial life & career to highlight what an instrumental figure he was in the evolution of cinema and why he should be more remembered today.
Roscoe Arbuckle's sound shorts are owned by Warner Brothers. Purchase here:
www.warnerbros...
Roscoe Arbuckle's silent shorts are owned by Kino Lorber. Purchase here:
www.kinolorber...
Written, Compiled and Presented by Joe Ramoni
/ joeramoni
Support our channel:
/ hatsoffentertainment
Music provided by:
incompetech.com
For all inquiries:
joe@hatsoffent.com
#MyNameIsRoscoe
It’s a shame that his career was cut so short. I’m glad that he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves from the silent film community.
But he not round to see it
My Grandma Arbuckle is his great niece. She is still alive at 96! It’s great to see all the love for Roscoe now. Really sad what happened to our Roscoe. Since I’m a direct relative of his, I try to learn everything about him. I even found a family photo of the Arbuckles in San Jose with Roscoe in the picture in my grandmas family pics she’s saved.
Thanks for such a great short on our Roscoe! So well done! Thank you! 🙏🏼
That train scene is crazy... even for today. Dude was a legend.
It's sped up but yeah
A woman named Jean Darling, who was one of the last living silent movie era actors, having been one of the child actors in the very earliest Our Gang moves, told a story about Roscoe Arbuckle coming to visit a movie set she was working on at some point during that era when he was not in any movies. He came to visit Laurel and Hardy who was involved in the film. Apparently, Arbuckle seemed sad, possibly because of how being on the movie set reminded him of how he could no longer do that kind of work. So, according do Darling, Hardy cheered him up by going to the lobby and buying him a large blueberry pie. I just find that so charming, endearing and, despite the sad circumstances, funny. Like, can you think of a more "silent movie comedian who loves to eat cheering up another silent movie comedian who loves to eat" thing to do than buying a pie of all things? :)
i remember watching that i believe roscoe had saved her from a wild dog and her mother(?) or some other woman grabbed jean and scowled at him
We were cheated out of Roscoe's talent and genius due to yellow journalism and slander. And then we were cheated out of seeing his life story on celluloid when Chris Farley died. At least we have you to help us remember and never forget.
And we thought the fake news was a recent thing
the media is truly the devil, it giveth and it taketh away.
a media star is at the whim of the supernova that is the publics derision.
The power that you allow those who would call themself "journalist" is almost absolute if you court their attention or are drawn to it.
There is a TV movie about him!
@@bostonblackie9503 Do you recall the title? I'd like to see it.
It was blew journalism that got him
Geez, literally teaching Chaplin AND Keaton! I had at least heard of Arbuckle, but I didn’t know he was *that* influential
i had no idea either- and that is a pretty impressive resume. i feel so much sadness for him.
Sad what happened to Fatty.He mentored Chaplin and Keaton? Amazing!
For sure! I had seen some footage and thought that he was using their material, to think he was the genius. All the footage here was HILARIOUS!
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but whoever made the video grossly exaggerated that part. Chaplin was already famous in his own right when he started working alongside Arbuckle in the same studio, and the two didn't like each other very much (they had very different personalities). As for Keaton, he was already a famous vaudeville performer and Arbuckle simply helped him make the transition to film. If both credited Arbuckle as a positive influence it was more due to the fact that he preceded them, and in Keaton's case their friendship was also a big part of the equation. That doesn't make Arbuckle's career any less impressive, but some people just like to exaggerate things to make them sound more exciting.
Not only that when Roscoe got in trouble, both Keaton and Chaplin stuck up for him that’s how much they liked him
It's too bad Chris Farley never got to portray him, because I think that would have helped clear things up more. Maybe someday someone will try again.
Was just about to comment this. I really hope someone does, too.
There were talks of Preston Lacy from Jackass portraying him in a movie of his life story. I don't know what happened with that.
Chris Farley didn't have the talent to play Roscoe Arbuckle.
I agree with you.
Here's a few choices of who I think would play Roscoe Arbuckle in a biopic.
1. James Corden
2. Patton Oswalt
3. Danny DeVito
4. Nathan Lane
5. Wayne Knight
Thanks to Buster Keaton, a large portion of Roscoe´s films survive today due to the fact that Keaton himself had his debut in many of those shorts. I´ve seen them all and must say that everyone of them is a masterpiece, lightyears ahead of anything ever put out in the silent comedy era.
I enjoyed the duo between Mabel and Roscoe. I believe it was Mabel Normand who got Roscoe into the scene and vouched for him from the getgo. She was one of the leaders of her time in the silent film era. They even had a short silent movie called "Mabel and Fatty Viewing the World's Fair, at San Fransisco".
(Found it, it's here: th-cam.com/video/eBOgCXtUY4Y/w-d-xo.html )
Actually they survive because Buster rescued them from the basement of a house he owned just before the stock detriorated.
Mack Sennet also helped.
Years ago I read a biography of Dashiell Hammett that perpetuated the story that Arbuckle crushed the actress underneath him. Hammett, had had worked for Pinkerton's, claimed to have been one of the agents on that case, though he wasn't. To my shame, I simply accepted the story as indicative of "wild Hollywood" during the Jazz Age. Thankyou for helping to set the record straight. It's such a shame it has to be done 90 years after the fact.
Read the same thing in a huge book of true crime I had
It did state though that Roscoe was innocent however
"Worked for Pinkertons" is all I need to know that Hammett was a lying scumbag. The Pinkertons are the worst.
To be fair the thing with Hollywood was probably the reason why people were willing to believe what was said about the guy. Had it been true it wouldn't have been that surprising. Granted what definitely isn't surprising is how bad the media have been thanks to people like Hearst.
This was terrific. Thank you for helping restore Roscoe’s reputation and memory. Until your video, all I knew was the scandal.
Really fine work on this, Joe. Arbuckle deserved so much better than he got, and pieces like this one will, I’m sure, help rebuild his legacy over time.
That’s the goal! Cheers!
@@HatsOffEntertainment Here's that DVD set you spoke longingly of. [th-cam.com/video/rbfEHlMasdI/w-d-xo.html] Dunno if its in print...
Damn!....He died almost a century ago and I feel so bad for what he went through.
Brilliant documentary!
Fancy meeting you here! 😁
I don't think he knows who you are mr big.
@@pod9538 I'm not sure Mrs. Big Car knows who I am!
As a 39-year old, I now feel fortunate I ONLY knew of Arbuckle & his comedy works. I had no idea of the unfortunate scandal.
I only wish Farley had been able to make the biopic, of “Fatty” (I actually feel guilty calling him that now).
Well done, yet again, sir
Finally! An intriguing and fun comedian I haven't seen too much of. Stay safe and keep doing what you're doing!
What’s crazy is how popular Chaplin is despite his scandalous behavior being true, but Roscoe is definitely a genius. Many of these clips still make me laugh out loud
Very true, but politics has a lot to do with it. Chaplin is rightly famous for his on-screen work and historical importance to the development of film entertainment. His too often obsessive methods, his personality and his chasing underage females (he was tried but the jury acquitted) are ignored because the intellectual class loves his somewhat hypocritical class warfare, Stalin wasn't so bad, politics.
@@jackmorrison7379 You are both forgetting Arbuckel was up on a murder/rape charge for the death of Virgina Rappe. How does "genius" fir into that?
Hollywood slammed door on his career and life. He banned 4 ever
Never invite a known blackmailer to your party.
Maude Delmont... Excuse my language, but what a f****** b****!
@@rufust.firefly2474You are so right, I want to say that too about this f**** b****!
From what I understand, Delmont crashed the party. Arbuckle is probably one of the few Hollywood men she wasn't blackmailing, which might be why she decided to blame him for Virginia's death. The whole thing smells of a criminal abortion. th-cam.com/video/92tjChd66d8/w-d-xo.html
@@thesisypheanjournal1271
I had read the woman who died had an illegal (at the time) abortion that day. Complications from that event killed her. Mr. Arbuckle did nothing wrong
@@R.Oates7902 That's what I think. If you follow the link to my video I explain why this is the explanation that makes the most sense.
This man's life had so many twists and turns, highs and lows I can see why they've been wanting to do a biopic of his life for some time. And I think Chris Farley would have been great in it and John Candy would have been AMAZING!
Neither had enough agility and dexterity to equal Arbuckle; no one his size does. His nephew Al St. John was a terrific physical actor as well.
@@MrTruckerf I haven't yet watched Roscoe's films, so I don't know how athletic he was. I have a vague notion that /maybe/ D. Boon might have fit, if only he was: into acting as well as being a musician, and if he didn't die at 27 from a rear axle failure in a van. He could move about on stage a good bit, but I don't know *how much:* he was the singer, he had to be by the microphone.
@@MrTruckerfChris Farley was unusually capable of physical comedy for a man of his size. If he wasn't as physically capable, he definitely was close.
Chris Farley was supposed to play him before his death in '97.
John Candy was too. Preston Lacy and later Eric Stonestreet also had biopics on him in the works at some point.
Wow. Did not know that.
@@HatsOffEntertainment so did Belushi. The movie has been in development hell for the longest time.
@@HatsOffEntertainment
As much as I love John Candy, I think Chris Farley would have been a better fit for the role. Chris looks like Roscoe and had the physical comedy talent.
+Funk Yeah I so highly agree.
Hats off to Arbuckle and hats off to you for doing such a great job in remembering a comedy icon, I have nothing but great respect for Arbuckle, Chaplin and Keaton .. they made life easier for people that lived in such horrible times filled with wars, conflicts and poverty .. and they continue to make life easier for us decades later .. thank you for uploading this great tribute .
It's pretty disgusting how an unfounded accusation can ruin someone's life, and their reputation, for literally a century. And it seems people still feel an immediate need to judge the accused. Anyone can be accused, and yet so many people are all too eager to scapegoat anyone with a mark on their head. I know this video is primarily about his comedy, but the biggest takeaway from fatty's story is that no one is safe from false accusations.
Not to mention the presstitutes in the media.
The most likely scenario is that Virginia Rappe died from an abortion that Maude Delmont had helped to arrange. Delmont is the one who arranged for Virginia to be taken to Wakefield Hospital, where they performed an illegal autopsy and threw away her reproductive organs. I'd love to find out who else had been availing themselves of Wakefield and thus had reason to cover up for them by throwing Roscoe under the bus. th-cam.com/video/92tjChd66d8/w-d-xo.html
The most damaging weapon a man has is their Tongue..
@@idkwhoknew908 Grandpa on the Munsters said a woman's tear is powerful stuff, when he carefully put three drops in a magic love potion.
I feel robbed that i wasnt exposed to this mans amazing talent They never played his films. Terrible
I literally didn't know Arbuckle acted in any sound films until I watched this last month. Since then, My Dad and I have seen 5 of those 6 sound shorts and enjoyed them a LOT, so on behalf of my pop and myself, thank you for making this documentary.
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed.
Thank you for this excellent video. It is the first time that I have heard Mr Arbuckle's voice. He is one of my favourite actors of his times and I think that it is long overdue that he was recognised for his talents. The scandal that dogged him was as unfair and brutal as blacklisting him for something for which he was innocent.
The "dancing forks" routine is not the only one borrowed by other actors as I remember seeing the "falling house" one being done by Buster Keaton and presume that it was made at a later date after Mr Arbuckle had performed it
May he rest in peace
Thank you for making this. I did not know that Mr. Arbuckle created several seminal gags later used by Chaplin and Keaton. And good for the both of them for speaking up for Roscoe, when he was being vilified by everyone else on the planet for something he did not do.
Perhaps the greatest tragedy is the loss of several of his films...perhaps the first Hollywood example of 'cancel culture'. Whether one agrees with that particular thing it is an odious reaction when the subject has not been proven to have done anything wrong.
It was a HUGE boon for us lost film buffs when an amazingly preserved print of 'The Cook' (1918) was found in Norway in 1998. One of his first collaborations with Buster Keaton. A priceless find. It is on YT, go watch it now. It is pretty great and goes completely Dada about halfway through. I suppose that could happen when working with no script.
Also notable for 1918 is the lack of title cards in The Cook. The 'story' is told visually without exposition...an artistic choice that Keaton would adhere to when making his own films.
The world always behaves the cruelest against the good ones. I'm glad that Buster and Charlie never stopped supporting Arbuckle. Unfortunately, they both also got their own fair share of this "fair" world.
I mean Arbuckle did help them launch their film careers so they did have gratitude towards him
I've read that Buster wanted to testify to defend Roscoe's reputation, but he was advised against it. Buster couldn't testify anyway because he wasn't at the party in question.
You did an excellent job of showing the true Roscoe Arbuckle as well as the commendable loyalty of Keaton and Chaplin. Thank you for vindicating this talented, generous and truly gifted man.
A superb and long overdue bio-doc! Arbuckle was a comedy film pioneer, who's influence and impact was profound but sadly overlooked, forgotten or simply unknown.
Excellent tribute to Arbuckle. As long as there is an interest in silent film comedy his name and work will be remembered.
Yes, I'm so glad to see this. It's a shame that he has been so forgotten. That scandal truly destroyed his life. He deserved SO much more.
Roscoe got a raw deal all around. He was definitely a pioneer, an innovator, and influenced many other, famous comedians. I hope one day a film about his life gets made that will set the record straight, vindicate him, as well as celebrate his career. Thanks for the retrospective.
Thank you so much for bringing this story to a wider audience... Truly one of the forgotten greats 👍
Really brought me to tears in a short amount of time. Thank you for this.
Great doc. Back when I was in college we briefly went over Fatty Arbuckle in my film history class and my prof told the whole truth about him. So his legacy isn't completely tarnished since people are spreading the truth. Most people won't care enough though unless a movie gets made or something.
What a lovely tribute! I portrayed Mabel Normand when I was a girl, and I immersed myself in the early Keystone films. (Roscoe and Mabel had the sweetest onscreen chemistry.)
Ms. Normand gets the short end of the stick historically speaking as well. She was a true pioneer of early American cinema and an outstanding comedienne.
15:40 Nice, Shemp Howard and Fatty Arbuckle. That is some slapstick gold
Absolutely great video; cannot thank you enough! Thank goodness 'The Cook' was discovered in the 1990s (l believe in Norway ) as it's become my mother's and my favorite short. I mean, let's get real, who doesn't love Roscoe and Buster to pieces in the aforementioned?
I will ALWAYS maintain Roscoe Arbuckle was innocent, and your video is so appreciated. By the way, so many acts that followed pretty much emulated Roscoe and Keaton. Examples of this would clearly be Abbott and Costello and Laurel and Hardy (among others).
To the best of my knowledge, the only act Buster thought was worthy was Laurel and Hardy, and l agree. Have to say though, Roscoe and Buster did it all FIRST, and they did it the BEST! It's about time Roscoe was celebrated for his genius! Both he and Buster were THE BEST THERE EVER WAS, period!
Thank you so much for this. I have long admired Roscoe and advocated for his reappraisal. He didn’t deserve what happened to him, nor should his reputation continue to suffer. Thank you for putting him back in the spotlight.
Much like Mr Arbuckle’s shorts, your docu-mini was punchy, heartfelt and made with care. I never knew he made sound films!
Nicely put together. Thank you for taking the time. It was cool seeing such a young Shemp Howard in the same scene as Fatty. They don't make 'em like they used to!
Thank You for making this documentary. I very much enjoy Roscoe and his films (which I was able to buy on DVD a few years ago) and am glad to see that there are others out there that share this interest. Without him, I wonder if Chaplin or Keaton would be the stars we know them as today.
I'm 60 years old. In my youth, old movies like these were still shown on black-and-white tv. I remember hearing the story of 'Fatty' Arbuckle, but, at no time did I ever hear that he had been completely exonerated for the alleged crime. I actually remember having a lot of curiosity about his place in cinematic comedy but I resisted the urge to watch him; based on what I thought I knew about him. Back in those days, I remember people describing his crime as 'he hurt a girl at a party'; which gave the impression that he had committed a crime against a child. I'm so pleased I am now better informed about this comedic giant. Now I can enjoy him in the way I should have all those years ago. This is a really good documentary.
A truly marvelous and pioneering comedian.
You did marvelous work putting this together. Thank you for making this and for not using a CG voice as well. Excellently done!
THANK YOU for this video! I'm a huge film history buff and I only knew of the scandal and not his exoneration! Wow...goes to show how long an ugly rumor lingers over the truth. You've given me a whole new angle on him! 🙌🏼
A beautiful tribute to a great and pioneering film comedian. A mini-doc such as this helps create a new awareness of Mr. Arbuckle's amazing films, and all the honest work that went into them. Keep up the great work over there at Hats Off Entertainment.
I wrote a short paper on him in college. Always felt bad for him. He really could have been as well remembered as Chaplin and Buster.
Thank you for making this video. Despite being familiar with his name and image throughout my life, I recently began to finally watch and fall in love with his work. I hope many more will continue to find Roscoe for generations to come. He deserves to be remembered and revered.
Certainly an underrated performer, hopefully your video can bring him more attention.
Thank you so much for sharing his story. Im a fan of Buster Keaton and Charlie Champlin, but had never heard of Roscoe until now. Brilliant talent destroyed by gossip, scandal, and the media.
It was fun to see Shemp Howard in that scene with Arbuckle.
I'm not usually a fan of documentaries or biographies/auto-biographies, but this was fantastic, telling such a great story. Thank you.
Even know most of the time idk who you're talking about i still watch cause I swear you can make anything watchable with you're narration.
Joe, congratulations. This is an amazing tribute to a legend who was so poorly treated, and came from such a harsh beginning. Thanks for giving Roscoe the true recognition that he and his comedy (and not the scandal) deserves.
My dad was a theater usher waaaay back then. He used to talk about Fatty Arbuckle when he'd reminisce. Now I see what he was talking about. THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!
I CANNOT thank you enough for creating this documentary about Roscoe. You showcased his brilliance in the movie industry, and did not discuss his tragic fall from grace by the Hollywood scandal. Buster and Roscoe are my two favorite silent film stars, bar none. Definitely subscribed after watching this. Thank you again, and keep up the great work!
Have you considered taking this into your own hands and helping to find and release his films. I adore Keaton, Chaplin and Lloyd and think Roscoe should be held in the same esteem. Great mini doc as usual. Please keep them coming. Great work.
Thank You !!! Roscoe certainly was one of the towers of comedy in the history of film. And as you said, he does not get the recognition he assuredly deserves.
Finally a documentary doing justice to Mr. Arbuckle
Thanks for introducing me to Arbuckle. I knew his name and face and that he was a famous silent comedian. But, now I think I have a better measure of the man.
Since watching this video, I have watched every Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle movie I can find, on TH-cam. I knew who he was before this, but I had never actually watched one of his films. I'm amazed by his talent. Thank you.
That’s wonderful to hear!
Fantastic piece, thank you for shining a bright, positive light on an entertainer worthy of being remembered with fondness and respect. You made me a fan of Roscoe Arbuckle, and I thank you!
Thanks for watching!
My grandmother wouldn't let me see any of his films, even though we had some on tape in the 90s. The stigma never left, even though he had been exonerated before she was born. It's outlandish. William Randolph Hearst was one of the devils of his time. Great video!
Virginia Rappe was found dead in HIS hotel room, she had a lot of bruises and so I understand why people still think he raped and murdered Virginia. But the court found him innocent. Just a horrible tragedy
@@fredrikalarsson3962 Miss Rappe died in a hospital four days after the party. She did not die in the hotel. She was conscious at times during her suffering, and never accused Mr. Arbuckle of attacking her in any way.
Very well done. Mysteries and Scandals is when I first heard about this guy. They concentrated more on the scandal while you talked more about his career. Keep up the good work.
It’s a shame he’s not as popular today as Chaplin or Keaton. The only thing I saw him in before this video was a video playing at the Museum of Death in Hollywood, it talked about the scandal and his death. He should be recognized for what he has done on film and comedy in general.
Outstanding work Joe, your videos deserve much wider recognition, much like Fatty Arbuckle himself 🙂 It’s truly a tragedy that those 11 years he was essentially blacklisted instead could (and should) have been the high point of his career 😕
Thanks so much!
Great work. Always been a big Arbuckle fan and it's a shame how his legacy ended up.
He had so much to offer
Thank you for doing this ❤❤❤
Well done, Joe. Thank you for introducing your fans to a brilliant comedian who doesn't get the recognition he deserves. You're absolutely right about his agility and gift for physical comedy. And I am always tickled by what a cute girl he made. Too bad you didn't have time for a few moments from 1917's Coney Island (a/k/a Fatty at Coney Island). There are several copies available on TH-cam, for those who can't get enough of Roscoe in ladies' swimwear. It also gives a glimpse of Buster Keaton before he settled into his deadpan persona.
Definitely one of the greats! I did a short film in college for my film history class. It was a silent film where all the characters were named after the greats. Sadly, many did not catch the homage. At least my teacher did, so I got some extra points. I wish Hollywood would treat larger comedians like Roscoe. He wasn’t a “fat character”. He didn’t break chairs or fall through floors due to his weight. He was just a talented actor that knew how to convey emotions in the silent area.
Seeing a fat man move the way he did with such swag was hilarious
Thank you so much for this! I've been watching silent comedies with my 7 year old since she was a toddler. We are just getting into Roscoe and I was hoping someone made a good youtube doc! I read he also discovered Bob Hope? Maybe we need a part 2!
Thank you very much for this....my only knowledge of Mr Arbuckle was that infamous scandal...I'm so sorry this poor man had to go thru this terrible injustice to his life & career....love the editing job with all the clips, especially Buster Keaton, my favorite silent film star....never knew the story about Roscoe's influence with Buster, and their friendship....you did an excellent job telling Arbuckle's story, thank you again !! : )
This type on content should be a series on Netflix
Thank you for this documentary on a lost star that really does deserve to be remembered and held in the pantheon of other comedic genius’s of a long gone era! With out people like Roscoe Arbuckle who knows how long it would’ve taken for big men such as him to be accepted in/or by the film industry that’s so stigmatized by looks not talent!!
Thank you very much for reminding us of this wonderful actor and man!
He was a fantastic actor and even though I was born 4 years after his death, he has always been one of favorites!
I love that big comedians always seem to overcome and conquer what is still a stigma worse than any in society to ultimately give back the precious gift of laughter to the same society that vilified them. Beautiful.
You’re right
Thank you for helping spread the word about Roscoe Arbuckle's innocence. Unfortunately humans have an unquenchable thirst for sensationalist media, but there will always be those who know the history. Great work, he deserved this.
Yeah but a woman was found dead in his hotel room
@@fredrikalarsson3962 She did not die in the hotel. She died in hospital days later.
Thank you for this video. He is one of my favorite comedians and its a shame he's not more well known
It’s a real shame what happened to Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. He had a great career only for it to all but come to an end by false allegations thrown at him. He was the first celebrity to be in the first Hollywood scandal and his career was never the same.
"False allegations"? He was found in a room with a naked woman who it was later found had evidence of sexual assault. Just because he was acquitted doesn't mean he didn't do it. It just means the evidence they had wasn't good enough for beyond a reasonable doubt.
When you are the best payed actor of your times? Bad things that never happened will be believed by millions because of humans, (Rest in peace Roscoe, I still watch you on a regular basis)
@@gladspooky9455 "Acquittal is not enough." Statement by jury. Did you not watch the video?
@@gladspooky9455 Lol “just because he was acquitted doesn’t mean he did not do it”- Yes it does it means exactly that. There was no evidence of sexual assault . You are getting your information from the lies that had been printed at the time. His accuser was Maud Delmonte, so unreliable that the prosecution never called her as a witness. Also lots of people had been in the room he was having a party.
@@thefairhairedboywiththered2951 they also had tainted they put the victim on trial. Something happened look at the autopsy photos. There was bruises, the bladder was damaged by external force.
Good to see someone telling the truth. Roscoe deserved much better.
They destroyed his films? Wow, and here we thought "Cancel Culture" was a new thing.
There were tons of people destroying Beatles merchandise because John Lennon made an objectively true statement about Jesus' popularity.
Yes but they never destroyed the Beatle's original master recordings. Arbuckle's films didn't have master recordings to make copies of.
I had that same thought. Not far off from the time Patton slapped a bawling soldier (the first snow flake) and they tried to cancel him. 🤡🌎
i guess you missed mccartheyism day in history class
@Plastic Icon 2 - Freewheeling Gunslinger Edition yeah bro youtube keeps deleting my accounts lately its annoying af!
What a sad story. I think I'll check out more _Roscoe_ Arbuckle.
3:25 - I previously thought this gag originated in Steamboat Bill, Jr., which feature Buster Keaton standing in exactly the right place as a building wall fell onto him. Very fun to see this even-earlier cinematic "wall falls on man" gag. Was "wall flat falls on actor" a common vaudeville trope?
I think the big thing with Buster was that he took it a step up to being something that could have killed him. I remember hearing crew walked off in protest or at least just couldn’t bear to watch it happen.
You have a great narrative voice that really holds peoples attention
Thanks for this. Nice to learn something about Roscoe. Must be many more even more forgotten names from that era
I was genuinely brought to tears by the end of this video. Thank you.
Thank you for this wonderful little biography. I appreciate that you took the time to read from the third jury's statement of exoneration. From what I have read about California politics at the time, the San Francisco DA only kept re-trying the case because of pressure from William Randolph Hurst's newspapers. I'm also glad you mentioned the sound shorts that Arbuckle made at Warner Brothers. I didn't know that they existed and from the scenes you showed, I think middle-aged Arbuckle would have been great competition for the kinds of roles played by W.C. Fields.
The DA kept trying the case because he had political ambitions to become Governor of California. He thankfully failed in this effort.
So glad you’ve done this for Roscoe🥰
I admit, I did literally laugh out loud at some of these old clips in 2021. I would LOVE to have seen either John Candy or Chris Farley do a film representation of him. May they all Rest In Peace.
My paternal grandmother's first job was as a secretary for Roscoe's law firm, during his trial. Sadly, she had no insights to pass on. I was also unaware that he made sound shorts. When I was young, I owned an 8mm projector and would borrow films from our local library. They had a decent enough selection of silent shorts with him and Keaton, but nothing solo. I really enjoyed your doc. I'm going to have to track down more of what is out there.
A sad and fascinating story. When I heard that a director wanted Chris Farley to play Arbuckle I thought this might have been perfect casting and prove (or disprove) if he had any talent for dramatic acting. Whether Arbuckle was wholly innocent in the events which would mark the end of his career, a victim of "yellow" journalism which looked to exploit and sensationalize these types of stories, or, perhaps, a mixture of both is part of tragic fascination of this bit of Hollywood history. I am aware of Keaton,Chaplin, Lloyd, and a couple other silent comedians but I have yet to see anything by Arbuckle. This would make for an interesting film if handled properly. It seems like something the Coen brothers would handle well.
So glad I looked this up and found your short ! I agree. Not many nice things were said about him. Sad life from beginning to end. What a guy and what a trooper! Thank you for this documentary!
I had heard the beginning of this, but did not know he had managed to make progress reviving his career before he died!
This is a great documentary. I’ve always heard about his movies but never knew much about him. Now I need to watch his films and hopefully his films will be restored
Yes! Phenomenal talent tainted by a wretched scandal. I’d say anyone who’s fans of curly howard MUST watch a handful of Roscoe shorts
Now I see where the Stooges got a lot of their gags.
Really well-done video on a major talent. Arbuckle deserves much more attention and major retrospectives. Thanks for contributing to the cause!
Thanks for watching!
Great work. Glad I watched this. I've always had a negative connotation in my mind when it came to this guy. Now I know better. The press hasn't changed at all it would seem.
If anything, it’s gotten worse.
Sad that what is believed can be more powerful than truth and then more destructive.
He was an excellent performer and this was an great homage to him. Thank you.
so they believed the person who was well known for blackmailing instead of the person who was actually there? Its almost like today sadly, its nice to see him getting some better recognition now
It’s not about them believing the blackmailer: just as with the press today, a shocking headlines sells papers.
Nowadays, however, someone like Roscoe would have a very strong chance of suing the media outlets for defamation, so something of this magnitude would be far less likely to happen.
At the time a headline about one of the world’s biggest stars going to the gallows - an extension of a guilty verdict - made far better front-page copy than ‘known blackmailer makes another story up’. So even though they knew it was nonsense, they simply didn’t care.
The fact that religious groups were simultaneously trying to censor what they saw as profane entertainment didn’t help, either. This kind of underlines my cynicism with religion, because ultimately these groups should have been able to overlook Roscoe’s ‘sinful’ profession and support him with respect to the lies and deceit that was being thrown at him, rather than using him as a poster boy and hammering nails into his coffin.
The one heartwarming thing in all this was the dignity shown by the jurors, who were presented with all the evidence and were clearly horrified that this event had ever been allowed to reach the court. The speech they wrote still resonates with me, and it reassures me that despite all the shit that goes on in the world, there will always be good people.
The speech the jurors wrote on the spot was too close a prepared press release
An amazing story handled perfectly. Well done, and thank you for the telling of it.
A fine tribute Joe. Such a neglected talent... thanks for bringing him back into the spotlight.