ONE OF THE GIANTS OF SILENT FILM - MY FATHER, HARRY LANGDON, SR.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
(circa 1890)

All images in this blog article, written by Harry Langdon, Jr. are courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.  No copying or republishing of photos is allowed without prior written consent. Sharing this blog in whole, on social media is permitted. Please include #CourtesyofHarryLangdon. Thank you.

"Entertainment for the generation of today is light years ahead of the silent film era. The very primitive recording of black & white photo images to film, was actually an improvement over what folks were left to see on the Vaudeville stage in the early 1900's. One hundred fifteen years ago, people would have thought today's  TV, radio & movies were some kind of witchcraft, let alone wireless cell phones and 3D films, in "Panavison" no less.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
Circa 1925
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

My father began his career in 1890 - he ran away from home at age 16 to be in a "One Man Vaudeville Act". To earn extra money he was a clown in the circus, a Medicine Show hawker, and then he created a major Vaudeville Act with a collapsible car. He made a fortune; some say millions in these early, pioneering forms of entertainment.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
Circa 1906
Trompe l'oeil background painted by Harry Langdon, Sr.
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

It was 1920 when he was asked to be in the movies, "Langdon" thought it was only a passing fad. He began earning less money, gave in and joined the Mack Sennett Repertory Company on the heels of Charlie Chaplin. My father then appeared in 60 very successful Silent Films for Sennett. All very ingenious, featuring fine, sublime, unique humor compared to the Chaplin "Slapstick" form of humor.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
Circa 1926
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

In 1926 he produced seven of his own Classic Feature Films, then in 1930 fate intervened and talking films began to be popular. My father then had to reinvent his humor and was very successful doing ‘Talkies’ until his death in 1945. The reason he was so immensely popular was his ability to generate his humor through Pantomime. He was also very popular in Europe because they understood his humor without knowing the language only by his silent skills.

Harry Langdon, Sr.
Circa 1936
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

This was due to his previous performances on the Vaudeville stage where he was an expert Top Dancer, played Ragtime Piano Music by ear, did a balancing act, played the banjo and did caricatures in the audience after his act. My father's personal life was like his screen persona, a mix of Comedy and Tragedy that we now see today as a symbol of the Theater. I have his collection of hundreds upon hundreds of still photos that he kept, and I am sharing some here in this article.

My parents, Harry and Mabel Langdon.
Circa 1934
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.) 

I am also publishing a book of some of these priceless photos, many have never been seen before and they date from 1888 thru 1945. In addition, a biography that his wife, my mother, Mabel Langdon had written, dictated by my father, is in the process of being published as this article is being written.

The Langdon Family in their
Salvation Army uniforms.
Harry Langdon, Sr.
is in the center of this photo from 1880.
(Courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.)

My father's humor had an underlying theme, perhaps it was inherited from his family who were the original Salvation Army officers, showing that those who are downtrodden and feeling left behind in life will survive by staying humble, keeping their chin up, and having faith...eventually they will overcome the ruthless and in-sensitives of the world."

- Harry Langdon, Jr.
Father's Day
June 21, 2015

All images in this blog article, written by Harry Langdon, Jr. are courtesy of the personal archive of Harry Langdon, Jr.  No copying or republishing of photos is allowed without prior written consent. Sharing this blog in whole, on social media is permitted. 

Contact:
Shawni Groves (213) 255-0059
UrbanLifestylePR@gmail.com

HARRY LANGDON ON PHOTOGRAPHING AMERICAN FIGURE SKATER & TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN, JOJO STARBUCK

JoJo Starbuck
Photographed by Harry Langdon

"I imagine we all are enchanted by ice skaters, no matter how old we are. The costumes, theatrics and lights that are part of the show; all that can successfully divert our attention from the everyday reality.

My forte' is to create Fantasy when I am given the license to do so.  When I was asked to photograph JoJo Starbuck, I was very enthusiastic about the chance to photograph JoJo and constructed an artificial ice surface with lights imbedded in the floor.  I like to have skaters in poses that they are familiar with,  often jumping (which necessitates speed light strobes, that can freeze them in midair) since it is not easy for them without the aid of ice.

JoJo is a consummate skating performer on ice and has won many national and international skating competitions. Once she put on those skates and came out of the dressing room,  POW, that electricity is emitted from her. That fantasy 'Larger than Life' aura, is  carried by a Champion like JoJo  even for a still photo shoot.  It is a wonderful sight to behold in front of the camera,  almost like a command performance,  a delight for a photographer to capture. 

My other Skating clients are:  Dorothy Hamill,  Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner,  Peggy Fleming, Rosalyn Sumners, Katarina Witt and many others.  Photographing skaters is always a highlight in my career."

- Harry Langdon
June 8, 2015

AMERICAN PHAROAH AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS

"On the television news yesterday was the most inspiring sight of a beautiful horse named AMERICAN PHAROAH winning by five and a half lengths, the Triple Crown at Belmont Stakes. It wasn't just a horse winning a race that was so moving, it was almost the only good news that has been in our living rooms lately. The sub text to how the owner acquired then sold, then re-bought the horse back for $300,000 on a whim, is just as moving, as him winning the race. Plus, now Pharoah gets to semi-retire as a very valuable stud.

I have noticed as of late many cars being left dirty. I hope it is out of consideration for our water drought or perhaps just being slovenly. But I found myself congratulating my neighbor today whose car is very dirty, she was taken back when I said "What a good citizen she was", she did not get it until I reminded her car washing has become very un-cool.

I was in my bank yesterday and noticed nobody seemed happy, sullen expressions abounded. Why I wondered, at least we are alive and can afford a bank account even though we never know when it will be robbed or hacked. I asked the teller, "Is everyone worried about the security of our money" she did not answer, hmm. Then I went into the market, again looking for happy people to share our experiences with waiting in line, again, no expressions, until I brought up the American Pharoah win at Belmont, that broke the ice and everyone started smiling. --- I really wish we could see more winners on T.V. it can be good for the 'Collective' to see smiles again, it helps decorate our public domain."

Harry Langdon
Sunday, June 7, 2015