mikl-em's combine

Charlie Chaplin on an American tour with the Fred Karno Troupe 1912 (possibly in San Francisco) via chaplinfortheages

Buster Keaton, Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel when they were all at MGM Studios - Early 1930’s. Via mothgirlwings:

Buster Keaton, Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel when they were all at MGM Studios - Early 1930’s

 Don’t even get me started on MGM and how clueless they were about these three brilliant gentlemen…

danny-kaye:

Four of show business’ biggest stars performed on the Jack Benny radio program and delighted listeners with a rendition of a song Benny wrote himself. March 6, 1952, are Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra, Groucho Marx

Sinatra, Groucho, Danny Kaye and Jack Benny gathered round a microphone—those we’re the days indeed!

I wrote another vintage comedy post, my favorite, on laughingsquid: a 1978 Rodney Dangerfield routine featuring a 16-piece band. Plus details of the secret origin of the “Rodney Dangerfield” name. (!!)

Wonderfully and hilariously done: Who’s on First?, revisited by Seinfeld, Fallon & Crystal. Via laughingsquid

(via laughingsquid)

Today a pair of British bowlers, as it were. First, highlighting the great Sir Charles Spencer “Charlie“ Chaplin. Via headproduct

(via maudelynn)

Stan and Ollie (Laurel & Hardy) clowning with Jean Harlow. “Double Whoopee” 1929 via vintagemarlene & www.doctormacro.com

Laurel and Hardy in “Double Whoopee” poster, 1929, via vintagemarlene & Doctor Macro

Double Whoopee is a 1929 Hal Roach Studios silent short comedy starring Laurel and Hardy. It was shot during February 1929 and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on May 18 of that year. […]

Jean Harlow also makes a brief appearance in this film, as a blonde bombshell who gets partially stripped by Laurel & Hardy.

What the hell, one more assemblage of Lucille Ball: from the 1966 TV special “Lucy in London” via lucynic83.  Film Threat has a great piece on the background and content of the special.

“Lucy in London” was broadcast on October 24, 1966, with Monsanto as the show’s single sponsor. Reaction to the production was, for the most part, unsatisfactory. Variety’s critic sneered: “What had promised to be one of the season’s major specials turned out to be a major disappointment.” Other critics were equally unfriendly, leading Ball to decline to pursue future specials and to concentrate on her weekly half-hour comedy show. The show was later broadcast on British television and that country’s critics actually liked it (who knew?).

(via mariedeflor)

Heeey sexy Luuuucy!  A young Lucille Ball poses on a not very likely beach. A post-birthday shout out.

It’s her birthday, the queen of comedy, the late Lucille Ball. Via heckyeahlucilleballilovelucy:

The only way I can play a funny scene is to believe it. Then I can convincingly eat like a dog under a table, freeze to death beneath burning-hot klieg lights, or bake a loaf of bread ten-feet long. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lucille Ball
August 6, 1911 - April 26, 1989 

(via mariedeflor)

I listened to Danny Kaye records from my earliest years. One of my heroes and comedy inspirations. Here he is a vintage pic of him class-clowning back at his childhood grade school in Brooklyn which now bears his name. via unicef:

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Danny Kaye playfully pulls the hair of a girl seated in front of him, in a classroom filled with laughing children, during a visit to his primary-school alma mater, Public School 149 in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. 
 
In 1954 in the United States of America, American actor, comedian and entertainer Danny Kaye was appointed UNICEF’s first Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF Executive Director Maurice Pate. In his new role, Mr. Kaye campaigned continuously for UNICEF causes and travelled the globe raising awareness of the situation of children, particularly in the developing world. He continued this work until his death in 1987, creating the standard for all subsequent UNICEF (and other UN) Goodwill Ambassadors.

© UNICEF/NYHQ1954-0001/Photographer Unknown

(via danny-kaye)