Entertainers, Part II:
Silent Era Through the Golden Age of Film
Hybrid – Wednesday 3:10 pm – 4:50 pm
March 13, 20, 27 April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1 
We begin with Charlie Chaplin and end up with Angela Lansbury, showcasing the growing sophistication of the film industry as the Silent Era is superseded by that of sound. The sound era will see a new generation of performers—not all the stars of the Silent Era will be able to make the transition. Abbot & Costello will endure as comedic icons.
With sound, drama will now be based not only on action, but also on narrative. Snappy dialogue will become popular, for it shows/implies intelligence in such films as The Maltese Falcon, Citizen Kane and such comedic efforts as The Man Who Came to Dinner.
- Week 1: Charlie Chaplin portrayed “The Tramp,” setting the stage for greats such as Stan Laurel
- Week 2: Bette Davis sets a standard of excellence during the Golden Era
- Week 3: Clark Gable, the King, was the leading man in Hollywood
- Week 4: Joan Crawford, an early icon of the Golden Age of sound
- Week 5: Errol Flynn, the dashing underrated actor was one of the greatest action stars
- Week 6: Abbott & Costello, perhaps the greatest comedy duo of all time, set an unparalleled standard in comedy
- Week 7: John Wayne, the Duke. A dominating presence on the big screen, in any era
- Week 8: Angela Lansbury, who performed on screen, stage and television, but who made her mark on Broadway, winning five Tony Awards
Mark Albertson is the historical research editor at Army Aviation magazine and the historian for the Army Aviation Association of America. He has authored several books, published in magazines and newspapers, and is a busy public speaker. Mark has always had a deep, abiding interest in the Silent and Golden Eras of film.