[Keystone Studios (1914–1915)] ──> [Hal Roach Late Silents (1920s)] ──> [Hal Roach Talkies (1930s)] (Chaotic Slapstick Beginnings) (Refined "Comedy of Manners") (Sound Era Sophistication) Cut to the Chase: The Charley Chase Comedy Collection
This isn't just a collection of films; it's a complete restoration of a lost comedy genius. The MegaPack includes:
Some of Charley Chase's notable films include:
Widely considered one of the greatest silent comedies ever made. Charley and his wife both secretly undergo plastic surgery (he gets his buck teeth fixed, she gets a nose job) and unknowingly flirt with each other on the street, leading to a complex web of marital deception.
: Widely considered one of the finest two-reel comedies ever made and a member of the National Film Registry. Charley Chase MegaPack
Furthermore, from a historical standpoint, these shorts offer a fascinating, idealized window into the fashion, architecture, and social anxieties of the 1920s and 1930s. They reflect the shifting dynamics of early 20th-century marriage, the rise of consumer culture, and the evolution of urban American life.
The MegaPack typically highlights Chase's most influential work, spanning his transition from silent shorts to sound films:
The Charley Chase MegaPack is not a deep cut; it’s the main course. For anyone who thinks they know silent comedy, or that "old movies aren't funny," put on "Mighty Like a Moose." You will laugh until your stomach hurts, and you will meet a new friend—a nervous, mustachioed, wonderfully decent man who just wanted to get through the day without his tie catching on fire.
A typical Charley Chase MegaPack is designed to be an "all-in-one" library. While specific versions vary by publisher, they generally include: : Widely considered one of the finest two-reel
During this golden era, Chase directed early Laurel and Hardy shorts and helped shape the studio's signature pacing. When he stepped in front of the camera as "Charley," he perfected the two-reel comedy format (roughly 20 minutes long). Masterpieces from this period showcase his brilliant escalation of conflict. A simple lie to a spouse or a minor mix-up with a neighbor would snowball into a frantic, beautifully choreographed symphony of public humiliation and physical wit. Surviving the Transition to Sound
Charley Chase MegaPack (published by Wildside Press) is a curated literary collection that highlights the versatility of one of the early cinema's most underrated masters of comedy. While Charley Chase is primarily remembered as a screen actor, this "MegaPack" often emphasizes his extensive behind-the-scenes work as a writer and director, capturing the essence of the "comedy of embarrassment" he pioneered at Hal Roach Studios.
For the completist, this multi-volume series from and Kit Parker Films is the most significant home video project ever dedicated to Chase. Spanning both his silent and sound career at Hal Roach, it is the closest thing to a complete "box set" of his studio output. The series includes:
A fast-paced comedy involving an unexpected visit from a domineering aunt. " the double-take
However, this period also saw him taking on more work as a director for other Roach stars. He was the uncredited co-director on several Laurel and Hardy classics, including widely considered one of the greatest comedies ever made. His influence on the duo's timing and story structure was profound.
The core of the MegaPack highlights Chase’s golden years at Hal Roach Studios during the 1920s. Working alongside legendary directors like Leo McCarey (who later directed The Awful Truth and Duck Soup ), Chase starred in a string of flawless two-reel comedies. The MegaPack includes legendary silent shorts such as:
The collection (and related scholarly works) typically covers Chase’s development from his early days at Keystone to his legendary run at Hal Roach Studios. Notable highlights include: Amazon.com Violent Is the Word for Curly
The allows modern audiences to binge-watch an entire season of a 1925 comedy series. You see his evolution. By disc 2 (or the second folder), you will recognize his signatures: the "slow burn," the double-take, and the utter failure to maintain dignity.
