The Movie Man's Matinee, Vol. 3: Rare Silent Comedies from the Vault of John K. Carpenter

For years, film historian John K. Carpenter ('The Movie Man') has been one of the most dedicated devotees of the art of silent comedy. Now he presents even more rarities from his archives. "The reason why I have spent decades collecting these rare silent comedies is the same reason you have been buying these one-of-a-kind DVDs – because there was such an abundance of creative effort during the silent era. I am devoted to making available the work of even the most forgotten comedians, who once got loads of laughs at the neighborhood movie house!"

MAX AND HIS DOG (1912): Max Linder suspects his wife is seeing another man, so he has his faithful dog Dick spy on her.

THE SIMP (1920): Lloyd Hamilton is a homeless bum in love with a pretty young mission worker. When she invites him to a revival meeting, he gets in trouble for helping himself to the collection plate.

MOONSHINE (1920): Lloyd Hamilton and his family were having a good run as bootleggers during Prohibition until the Revenue Office starting knocking on their door. Fortunately, "Ham" has plenty of dynamite on hand to keep them at bay! Though released only four months after The Simp, Hamilton's comedy has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to the guidance of Charley Chase, who directs.

THE FALL GUY (1921): Larry Semon is a city slicker stranded in a cowboy town. He gets into trouble when he makes eyes at the girlfriend of notorious outlaw Black Bart (played by a young Oliver Hardy in top hat and handlebar moustache!) Long thought of as a lost film, this version of The Fall Guy is from a Universal "Show-At-Home" 16mm print.

THE WALKOUT (1923): Everyone at the Form-Fitting Flask Co. ("It's a Pip for The Hip") goes on strike. Since Snub Pollard is late on his rent, he has no choice but to become a strikebreaker.

WHAT PRICE ORPHANS? (1925): The "Hey Fellas!" series was one of many slavish imitations of Hal Roach's successful Our Gang shorts. This particular troupe of child actors actually counted the brother of Our Gang alum Mickey Daniels among them. In What Price Orphans, the kids serve as matchmakers for an elderly inventor and his sweetheart.

THE GOLF NUT (1927): Billy Bevan crashes a posh country club posing as a champion golfer. When he's asked to demonstrate his technique, hilarity ensues.