Dear Mr. Schelly, I certainly respect your efforts. I wish they were better. Erich Von Stroheim said that authors should never talk about their own work, because they make excuses. Instead of excuses, why not update it? With the wealth of Langdon material available these days, and the availability of many more films, you could do yourself and the subject proud. Scarecrow has issued revised books; why not polish yours up? This is meant as constructive criticism. Harry Langdon does deserve something fitting.

I was very interested in reading this book since the subject, silent & early sound film comedian Harry Langdon, has been a particular favorite of mine since I first saw his classic feature comedies, TRAMP,TRAMP,TRAMP and THE STRONG MAN (the latter directed by the later-famous Frank Capra). (I became an even BIGGER fan when I finally got to see two of the features he directed, with assist from Arthur Ripley, THREE'S A CROWD and THE CHASER. Harry Langdon had a wonderful, unique talent, but unfortunately this book does not do him justice. The author was hamstrung by not having access to Langdon's many sound films, hence the book lopsidedly leans upon the five extant feature films that Langdon produced from 1926-28. There is almost no original research (a couple of fan magazine articles are referenced), and the critiques are not very polished. I like Harry Langdon and wish that someone who also likes him will do a good, objective book, OUT from under the influence of Frank Capra's formidable shadow.-Edward Wat

I've just completed reading William Schelly's 1982 biography of Harry langdon, and I must say that the author did a fine job with a rather obscure subject. By "obscure," I mean simply that source material on Harry Langdon is not (and certainly was not in 1982) as abundant as that of the three other great silent comedians (Keaton, Chaplin, and Lloyd).

I say this with a great fondness for Harry Langdon, the neglect of whom has resulted in this dearth of original source material. Sadly, unlike the wealth of information available on Chaplin, Lloyd and Keaton, Langdon and his work have never experienced the popular resurgence of the aforementioned silent clowns. Hence, by 1982 when Mr. Schelly wrote his book, certain original material (which no one in the mid to late 1920's thought important enough to salvage) as well as most of Langdon's peers, were all long gone. Harry, himself, was already dead for 38 years. Yet despite these elemental research obstacles, Mr. Schelly manages to provide the reader with much original, interesting and significant information on the "little elf." For instance, Langdon's unhappy romantic life prior to his last marriage, his close relationship with Laurel and Hardy, and his myriad artistic talents as a musical composer, sculptor, gag writer, etc., were covered quite adeptly and to a greater extent than in any previous written account of Harry (i.e., Walter Kerr, Kevein Brownlow, etc).

I also disagree with those critics of the book who claim that Schelly's work is "uneven." The greatness of Harry Langdon was achieved in the silent era when his little elf character was developed and perfected. His three masterpieces ("Tramp, Tramp, Tramp," "The Strong Man," and "Long Pants")were silent films-not talkies. It was the medium of silent film which allowed Langdon to do what he did better than anyone else before or since, pantomime. No doubt his work in talkies was far better than many critics over the years have claimed; yet, Harry is not remembered for the films he made after 1927. Accordingly, I think Mr. Schelly was correct in emphasizing the early work of Harry Langdon-the work that justified his being placed on the same level of comic genius as Chaplin, Lloyd and Keaton.

Finally, the reader must remember that Mr. Schelly made the very first attempt at writing a biography of Langdon. The personal and professional biographical information provided in his work is far more extensive than anything I had previously read about Langdon. For this fact alone, Mr. Schelly should be praised.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Mr. Schelly's book, as it was written in 1982, to all fans of Harry Langdon. I'm sure I speak for many admirers and fans of the sad, little clown by asserting that if there is someone out there who believes he or she can add something of original value to Mr. Schelly's book, go ahead and give it a try. In the meantime, do yourself the following favor: disregard the tenuous criticism and purchase Mr. Schelly's book. It's a good one.