What timing...
just when I decided that I've been spending too much money on entertainment and I ought to cut back. But I won't be able to resist this book, and I suspect that it's going to sell a lot more than 15 copies.
Most people probably just identify Vernon with the Stooges (understandably) and don't know that his film career went back to the silent days. At one early point, he was teamed with Harry Langdon as a "big guy-little guy" comedy duo along the lines of Laurel & Hardy, although I couldn't tell you which team came first. Maybe BeAStooge or another of the "expoits" here knows?
I've only seen two of those films, and I'll be the first to admit that I can't find anything funny at all about Harry Langdon, whose
shtick seems to consist mainly of standing around doing nothing with a simpering look on his face. The major interest for me turned out to be watching a young Vernon, who in the 20's hadn't gotten really heavy yet, and could best be described as "stocky" rather than "portly;" he was built like a linebacker! And, he made up exactly half of a good team. I welcome Langdon fans to come to his defense and explain his appeal (there must be
some of you out there).
The pre-Stooges Vernon also turns up alongside Buster Keaton in "The Cameraman" and W.C. Fields in "Million Dollar Legs," but unfortunately, only in bit parts. However, his place in history is secure, as being the "male Margaret Dumont" to our favorite knuckleheads.