The Great Lloyd-Chaplin Popularity Contest of 1923

When silent film aficionados sit down in fine leather wing-back chairs to discuss silent comedy while indulging in fine brandy and cigars, the two contenders for greatest clown are invariably Chaplin and Keaton. But in April, 1923, Famous Players asked movie-goers to vote between Chaplin and another titan of comedy, Harold Lloyd. The results, posted below, show that Lloyd’s comedies were a force to be reckoned with. Here are the results, published in the Toronto Daily Star on April 9, 1923: 72, 087 theatre patrons voted in the Harold Lloyd-Charlie Chaplin Popularity Contest last week at the Hippodrome, Pantages and Regent … Continue reading The Great Lloyd-Chaplin Popularity Contest of 1923

Farina in Toronto

Jamie Bradburn, that bon vivant over at Torontoist, uncovers a swell gem in today’s Historicist column. In 1932, four years after a gaggle of Toronto kids got to dress up like their favourite Our Gang characters on the stage of the Loew’s Yonge St. theatre,  the real Farina (and his sister Mango, says the ad) paid a visit to our fair city. Also, be sure to check out Jamie’s great blog, the Silent Toronto-approved  JB’s Warehouse and Curio Emporium. Continue reading Farina in Toronto