Majestic Theatre Pomona will feature short comedy films from two of the funniest guys from the silent film era
CHARLIE BOWERS – Charles R. Bowers – June 6, 1887 – November 24, 1946 was an American cartoonist and slapstick comedian during the silent film and early ‘talkie’ era. Charles Raymond Bowers was born in Cresco, Iowa. He was forgotten for decades and his name was notably absent from most histories of the Silent Era. As his surviving films have an inventiveness and surrealism which give them a freshness appealing to modern audiences, after his rediscovery his work has sometimes been placed in the “top tier” of silent film accomplishments. He made a few sound films and wrote and illustrated children’s books in his later years. He lived with chronic arthritis and following a long illness, Bowers died in 1946 in Paterson, New Jersey at the age of 59.
BUSTER KEATON – Joseph Frank “Buster” Keaton October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966 was an American actor, comedian and filmmaker. He is best known for his silet films during the 1920s, in which he performed physical comedy and inventive stunts. He frequently maintained a stoic, deadpan facial expression that became his trademark and earned him the nickname “The Great Stone Face” Keaton was born into a vaudeville family in Piqua, Kansas. He was named Joseph to continue a tradition on his father’s side (he was sixth in a line bearing the name Joseph Keaton) and Frank for his maternal grandfather, who disapproved of his parents’ union. His father was Joseph Hallie ‘Joe” Keaton who had a traveling show called the Mohawk Indian Medicine Company, which performed on stage and sold patent medicine on the side. According to a frequently repeated story, which may be apocryphal, Keaton acquired the nickname Buster at the age of 18 months after falling down a long flight of stairs without injury, an actor friend named George Pardey remarked, “Gee whiz, he’s a regular buster! After this, Keaton’s father began to use the nickname to refer to the youngster. Keaton died of lung cancer on February 1, 1966, aged 70, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles. Known as one of the greatest actors, film makers, comedians, stunt men and directors of all time.
Doors and bar open at 11am. Coffee tea and refreshments available. Movie starts at 12 noon. $15 for adults and kids 13 and under free. No need to book, get your tickets at the door. Duration approximately 1 hour.