The Blorple Falls chapter
of the West Carolina Cinema Enthusiasts League (est. 1974)
is proud to present

The Second Annual Blorple Falls

    
and SUV Showcase

OPENING DAY PREMIERE "PIDDLING THROUGH DIXIE" This 1938 O'Malley & Martin comedy classic has been fully restored, digitally compressed, stereophonically enhanced, and colorized. "Piddling" was Pinnacle's ill-considered musical comedy remake of "Birth of a Nation," and the restoration involved removing 20 minutes of frankly racist claptrap (a review of the day noted, "Jefferson Davis would wince"). Thus, an O'Malley & Martin short will also be screened to bring the afternoon to a full 87 minutes of entertainment. The second film is "Gimme That Jap!" Made in 1941 as part of the war effort, it was inexplicably not released until 1953, when its "humor" and "patriotic fervor" only puzzled postwar audiences. It will be physically restored, in full view, at the refreshment counter prior to this screening. "A SALUTE TO HAPPY GAY" Featuring Blorple Falls' own Jinx Jocelyn. Billed as "500 Pounds of Fun!" Happy Gay was an immensely large comedian whose stock-in-trade gave new meaning to the word "excess." Though one critic of the day called him "neither funny nor fit," Happy had at one time been a popular attraction in the Music Halls of England, largely as a subject of mockery. Forced to leave that country under still-questionable circumstances, Happy arrived in California and was immediately signed by the Sidney J. Proctor Motion Picture Company to an exclusive contract for the then-impressive salary of $40,000 a year. A typical Happy Gay short featured the obese comic wandering aimlessly through other people's lives, causing havoc. His standard bit was an elaborate, convulsive laugh which invariably ended with Happy collapsing onto the floor, bringing whatever set he was on down with him. He destroyed an average of three sets per picture. His love interest in most of the films was Jinx Jocelyn (nee Mildred Epstein), studio head Morty Hack's spindly 16-year-old niece. Screenings include whatever is left of the following nitrate originals: "Happy Gay's Fun House Frolic" (1914) "Happy Gay's Diet Dilemma" (1914) "Happy Gay's Restaurant Rendezvous" (1914) "Happy Gay's Picnic Panic" (1915) "In a Pickle" (1915) "Out To Lunch" (1915) "Happy Gay's Sweet Tooth" (1916) "Happy Gay's Beer Garden" (1916) "Waffles, Waffles, Waffles!" (1916) "Let Him Eat Cake" (1917) "Waiter, Beware!" (1917) "Belly Achin'" (1917) (Program Note: Miss Jocelyn is scheduled to appear at the 11 a.m. screening of "In A Pickle." Due to her advanced age (103), no autographs or photographs will be permitted. Miss Jocelyn's physicians and next of kin reserve the right to cancel her appearance at the last minute.) FAMILY FARE "FARLEY THE DOG" SERIES With special appearance by Ch. Chidley Whisperwind St. Aubrey of Sealyham, fifth-generation descendant of Sickmutt, Hollywood's "Farley the Dog." Pinnacle's late-'30s domestic heartwarmers featured the pleasant Appleman family and their playful cocker spaniel, Farley. It is interesting to note that, contrary to usual practices on animal pictures, there wasn't a stable of look-alike trained dogs to play the role of Farley. A single dog, actually named Sickmutt, held the role for nearly 30 years, outliving the entire cast. In the final installment, however, Sickmutt was doubled by a stuffed toy for much of the film, due to heart and liver trouble. The peculiar Farley/Sickmutt was originally acquired by Morty Hack from a West Carolina sideshow for a one-picture loan. The film, "Freak Dog From Hades" (1932), proved a surprise "hit" (it broke even). His interest in the animal piqued, Hack simply refused to return the dog to the carnival and instead cast him in a series of family comedies. For the next five years, Pinnacle fought the dog's owners in court (Universal Despair Shows vs. Pinnacle Pictures), as the sideshow attempted to reclaim their property. When Pinnacle suspiciously prevailed, the studio became a hotbed of guerrilla activity as carnival workers attempted to infiltrate the lot and retrieve Sickmutt by force. While they were never able to get their dog back, the carnies were successful in stealing Sickmutt's only litter of pups (Hack had bred him with a raccoon). Ironically, Hack's malfeasance proved a boon to the beleaguered sideshow. The late-'30s West Carolina public embraced the slobbering oddities and Universal Despair Shows achieved spectacular success. When freak shows were eventually outlawed, Universal Despair branched out into television production. Descendants continue to thrive today with such syndicated fare as "Sally Jessy Raphael," "Jenny Jones," and "The Maury Povich Show." Festival screenings include: HERE COMES FARLEY (1933). Vernon Bentley, Ada Dilworth. First of the popular "Farley the Dog" series. The Applemans hadn't planned on getting a dog, but Farley's playful antics win them over. LORD LOVE A DOG (1934). Vernon Bentley, Sarah Hume. Hume replaced the late Ada Dilworth, however, she was severely allergic to dogs, and coughs and wheezes throughout the entire film. Though heavily made up, it is immediately apparent that she is also suffering from an unpleasant neck and facial rash. It was to be her only appearance with "Farley." GOOD BOY, FARLEY (1942). Vernon Bentley, Paulette Widdle. Farley's playful antics at a day care center lead a band of Nazis to turn themselves in to the police. HOLD THAT DOG! (1962). Dean Jones, Shirley Jones. Last of the popular "Farley the Dog" series. Farley's playful antics at an Air Force base result in an accidental launch of ICBMs, destroying most of the Soviet Union. (Program Note: Ch. Chidley Whisperwind St. Aubrey of Sealyham has been known to be temperamental. Thus, no children will be permitted at screenings where the dog and his trainer are in attendance.) PANEL DISCUSSION: "THE COMIC FILMS OF O'MALLEY & MARTIN—A REAPPRAISAL" A panel discussion, with selected short films highlighting the work of Pinnacle Pictures' top comedy team, Flip O'Malley and Binky Martin, who together made 1,350 two-reelers as part of what even their own agent called "the worst contract in the history of show business." Films include "Working Jerks" (1926, Flip and Binky pretend to be employed so that they can get dates); "Antsy Aunts" (1928, Flip must pose as Binky's maiden aunt in order to keep his own father from killing them); "Dental Hi-Jinx" (1931, Flip and Binky pose as dentists in order to impress an attractive heiress. She turns out to be a man); and "Gotta Go!" (1940, Flip and Binky pose as plumbers in order to use a stranger's bathroom). Whether they are neglected comic geniuses or justly forgotten second-rate hacks is a topic that has not been debated since the team first fell into obscurity—due largely to critical unanimity for the latter view. Charles Foster Lovewell will lead the discussion and attempt to sell copies of his book. "ON HER MAJESTY'S NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE." James Bond is back! (Program Note: Half-price popcorn with Festival receipt.) CLOSING DAY FILM "PIDDLING THROUGH DIXIE" With group discussion by Charles Foster Lovewell in the parking lot following the screening. Also to be shown will be a reel of recently unearthed "on screen dismissals" featuring Morty Hack, himself. Hack's preferred method of firing employees was to have them sent to the screening room to view "new rushes." As the employee settled back to enjoy his or her latest work, Hack would appear on screen and deliver the bad news in extreme close-up (the cowardly Hack was usually many miles away during these "dismissals"), always signing off by guaranteeing the ex-employee, "You will never work in this town again!" The reel to be shown is from 1931. Among those "dismissed" are Betty Grable, Humphrey Bogart, and John Wayne. (Program Note: Copies of Mr. Lovewell's mimeographed book will be available for purchase or loan.)

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