Barry Anthony is a film and theater historian living in London. Over the last 30 years he has written several books and magazine articles about social history, the visual arts and popular entertainment.

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1.¿Pimple's Pantomime Tradition

Chapter 2.¿Minnie Jee, the Fair Equestrian

Chapter 3.¿Uncle Will, the Musical Eccentric

Chapter 4.¿An American Interlude

Chapter 5.¿Living Pictures

Chapter 6.¿The Pooles as Partners

Chapter 7.¿­Ec-Ko and Co

Chapter 8.¿Folly and Phoenix

Chapter 9.¿A Cast of Thousands, More or Less

Chapter 10.¿Uncles on Screen

Chapter 11.¿Pimple's Popularity

Chapter 12.¿The Humor of the Halls

Chapter 13.¿Pimple's Patriotism

Chapter 14.¿Pimple's Three Weeks (Without the Option)

Chapter 15.¿Pimple in "The Whip"

Chapter 16.¿Our Old Pal Pimple

Chapter 17.¿Pandora B9/877

Chapter 18.¿Joey, Jimmy, and Gerry

Chapter 19.¿An End to Filming

Chapter 20.¿Family Affairs

Chapter 21.¿Postscript

Appendix: The Films of Fred Evans

Chapter Notes

Bibliography

Index

In 1915, British moviegoers voted Fred Evans second only to Charles Chaplin as their favorite film comedian. Appearing as the roguish and anarchic ""Pimple,"" Fred made 200 silent movies between 1910 and 1922, running amok in frantic chases and sending-up current events and fashions. With a rich family heritage in pantomime and music hall, Evans introduced a satirical approach to filmmaking, frequently lampooning the recently introduced feature films. Pimple's burlesques deflated the seriousness of such productions, providing subversive support for audiences adjusting to the the new form. But continual mockery of themes, acting styles and film techniques did not endear him to all. Changing public tastes and industry disapproval eventually resulted in an end to Evans' screen appearances and a return to the stage.
As Evans has been almost entirely sidelined by film historians, this is the first book-length biography of him. It places Evans not only in a film context but within the wider entertainment and social perspectives of his time. Amongst topics discussed are the beginnings of the star system, war propaganda, the growth of film fandom and concerns about the influence of cinema on children.