Ben Turpin was a silent comedy star longer than anyone, 22 years (1907-1929). While his Essanays and Vogue comedies bore me, his Sennett Associated First Nationals and Pathe comedies are excellent. The first film I ever bought with my own money was when I was 10 and I bought the Ken FIlms 50' standard 8mm version of SMALL TOWN IDOL. I still have it.
