Blog Posts

Dust off your flat caps and warm up your funny bones! July 2026 officially marks the 100th anniversary of the classic Hal Roach silent comedy, Along Came Auntie.

While it may not have the mainstream, household-name recognition of a Charlie Chaplin feature today, this film is widely considered a cult classic among silent film historians and comedy buffs. It is a vital piece of Hollywood history--a hilarious "breeding ground" where some of the greatest minds in comedy first sharpened their teeth.

The Recipe for Silent-Era Chaos

The premise of Along Came Auntie is classic screwball: Vivien (Vivien Oakland) has divorced her first husband, Vincent, and married her second, Remington Chow. Because of financial struggles, she takes Vincent back in… as a lodger.

Things go completely off the rails when her incredibly wealthy, divorce-hating Aunt Alvira drops by for an unannounced visit. To secure a massive inheritance, Vivien must convince Auntie that she is still happily married to Husband #1--leaving her frantic new husband to pretend to be the hired help.

A Stellar Cast of Comedy Legends

The movie's enduring charm comes down to the sheer energy of its cast, particularly two men who would go on to shape comedy for decades:

Oliver Hardy delivers a fantastic performance as the first husband, Vincent Belcher. Filmed just a year before he would permanently team up with Stan Laurel to create the legendary Laurel & Hardy, you can see all of Hardy's signature mannerisms--the pomposity, the camera-facing winces, and the flustered exasperation--fully on display here. (Stan Laurel actually co-wrote the gags behind the scenes!)

Martha Sleeper is absolutely delightful in her supporting role as Marie, the sharp-witted house maid who has to navigate the unfolding domestic disaster.

Vivien Oakland, plays the stressed-out protagonist, Vivien. Oakland was a true heavyweight of early screen comedy, especially known as one of the ultimate foils for Laurel and Hardy, appearing in seven of their classic films—including We Faw Down (1928), Scram! (1932), and Way Out West (1937). Whether playing Oliver Hardy’s highly suspicious, roll-of-the-eyes wife or a high-society matron trying to maintain her dignity amidst complete chaos, Oakland's incredible slow-burn reactions and sharp comedic timing made her a beloved fixture of the Hal Roach lot.

But the man holding the chaotic center of this film together is the second husband, Remington Chow, played by the incredibly talented Glenn Tryon.

Spotlight on Glenn Tryon: Hollywood's Ultimate Chameleon

If you don't know Glenn Tryon's name, you definitely know his legacy. Tryon started out as a teenage stage actor and vaudeville dancer before legendary producer Hal Roach scouted him in 1923. Roach was looking for a highly energetic, relatable leading man to fill the massive void left by Harold Lloyd, and Tryon fit the bill perfectly.

Tryon quickly became a star. He transitioned from frantic short films to major silent features like Universal's acclaimed comedy-drama Lonesome (1928), and even starred in early musicals and talkies like the landmark production of Broadway (1929).

However, Tryon's true superpower was his longevity. As his time in front of the camera wound down in the 1930s, he made a brilliant pivot behind the scenes. He became a trusted writer, director, and producer during the Golden Age of Hollywood comedy:

Screenwriting: He helped write Laurel & Hardy's absolute masterpiece, Sons of the Desert (1933), the Marx Brothers' Room Service (1938), and the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical Roberta (1935).

Producing: In the 1940s, he served as associate producer on massive Abbott & Costello hits, including Hold That Ghost and Keep 'Em Flying.

Where to Find It Today

Remarkably, unlike many silent films lost to time, Along Came Auntie survives complete and is preserved at the Library of Congress.

At just around 18 minutes long, it is a lightning-fast dose of pure joy. Watching it today isn't just about celebrating a funny short--it's about celebrating the brilliant artists like Tryon, Hardy, and Sleeper who built the very foundation of modern screen comedy. Happy 100th, Along Came Auntie!

When we think of the titans of silent comedy, the holy trinity usually comes to mind: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. But 100 years ago, another comedic genius was ruling the two-reel short format with an entirely different brand of humor.

His name was Charley Chase, and on July 18, 1926, he released what many film historians consider his absolute masterpiece: Mighty Like a Moose.

As this brilliant short film officially enters its centennial year, it’s the perfect time to look back at why this 23-minute masterclass in dramatic irony and physical comedy still works perfectly today.

The Plot: The Ultimate O.G. "Catfish" Story

Long before Tinder, reality TV, or modern plastic surgery trends, Mighty Like a Moose gave us the ultimate story of extreme makeover accidental infidelity.

The premise is delightfully absurd:

Mr. Moose (Charley Chase) is plagued by a severe case of buck teeth. The opening intertitles hilariously note he has a face that "would stop a clock."

Mrs. Moose (Vivien Oakland) is cursed with a massive, prominent nose—a face that "would start it again."

Unbeknownst to one another, both decide to secretly undergo surgery on the exact same day to surprise their spouse.

The operation is a massive success. The twist? They run into each other on the street immediately afterward. Because their transformations are so radical, they don’t recognize each other. Naturally, they start flirting. Thrilled that an attractive stranger is finally showing them attention, they both agree to sneak out on their "homely" spouses to go on a date with each other.

A Symphony of Silent Geometry

What follows is a brilliant sequence of domestic stealth. Both return to their house separately, trying to change into their party clothes without alerting the other person (who they assume is just in the other room).

Director Leo McCarey—who would go on to direct masterpieces like The Awful Truth and Duck Soup—choreographs this sequence like a beautifully timed Swiss watch.

The peak of the film involves Mr. and Mrs. Moose moving silently through their two-story house. McCarey uses a cross-section style framing where we see Charley on the top floor and Vivien on the bottom floor. They mirror each other’s movements perfectly, narrowly missing each other in a masterclass of comedic suspense.

When they finally hit the town, the dramatic irony reaches a boiling point. They go to a wild party (which gets raided by Prohibition police), confess to each other that they are married, and eventually make it back home where the truth—and a few fists—finally fly.

Why It Holds Up 100 Years Later

So, why are we still talking about a 23-minute silent short a century later?

1. The Charisma of Charley Chase

Unlike Chaplin’s Tramp or Keaton’s Stoneface, Charley Chase played the everyday, middle-class guy. He was dapper, sophisticated, and utterly relatable—which made the bizarre situations he found himself in even funnier. He didn’t rely on surreal stunts; he relied on human embarrassment.

2. The Preservation of a Masterpiece

Mighty Like a Moose isn't just loved by vintage film buffs; it’s recognized as a cultural treasure. The United States Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry, cementing its status alongside the greatest movies ever made.

3. It's Permanently Relatable

The fear of being unattractive, the desire to surprise a partner, the thrill of new romance, and the sheer panic of getting caught in a lie—these are timeless human experiences.

Celebrate the Centennial: Watch It Tonight!

Because Mighty Like a Moose was released in 1926, it is officially in the public domain. You don’t need a fancy streaming subscription to watch it—you can watch a beautifully restored version from YouTube linked below.

If you’ve never dipped your toes into the world of silent comedy, or if you've only ever seen The General or Modern Times, give Charley Chase 20 minutes of your time. Happy 100th birthday to Mr. and Mrs. Moose—proof that great comedy never wrinkles.

Centenary of a Silent Classic: Why Charley Chase’s Long Fliv the King Still Reigns

Silents are often remembered for the death-defying stunts of Buster Keaton or the poetic pathos of Charlie Chaplin. But if you want to know what made everyday 1920s audiences howl with laughter, you look to Charley Chase.

One hundred years ago—on June 13, 1926—Hal Roach Studios released Long Fliv the King. Directed by the legendary Leo McCarey (who would later direct classics like The Awful Truth and Duck Soup), this two-reel, 25-minute comedy short remains a masterclass in the "comedy of embarrassment."

Here is why this century-old gem still holds up today.

The Plot: A Recipe for Royal Chaos

The premise is beautifully absurd. Princess Helga of the fictional kingdom of Thermosa (played by the delightful Martha Sleeper) is shopping in America when she gets urgent news: she must marry within 24 hours or forfeit her throne to her slimy rival, Hamir of Uvocado.

Her solution? Marry a death-row convict scheduled to be executed the next morning. That way, she secures her inheritance and becomes a quick widow. She picks Charley. They tie the knot in jail, she leaves for home, and everything goes perfectly—until the governor delivers a last-minute pardon.

Suddenly, Charley is a free man, very much alive, and entirely determined to claim his place as the rightful King of Thermosa.

A Comedy Super-Team in the Making

What makes Long Fliv the King an incredible piece of film history isn't just Charley Chase's impeccable timing. It's the absolute powerhouse of silent comedy talent surrounding him before they hit their respective peaks.

Leo McCarey (Director): McCarey was the secret weapon of the Hal Roach lot. He understood that comedy didn't always need to be about giant explosions or fast chases; it could live in the awkward pauses, the social anxiety, and the tiny facial expressions.

Oliver Hardy (The Henchman): A full year before he was officially paired with Stan Laurel to create the iconic Laurel & Hardy duo, Hardy appears here as the Prime Minister’s Assistant. Sporting a delightfully wicked villain mustache, he spends the movie scheming against Charley.

Max Davidson (The Valet): Playing Charley’s valet, Warfield, Davidson brings his legendary expressive face to the mix. His comedic chemistry with Chase—especially during a high-stakes food-tasting sequence—is pure gold.

The Highlight: The Duel to the End (Almost)

The undisputed peak of the short is the climactic duel. Plotted by Hamir and Hardy's character to dispatch the new king, Charley is forced into a sword fight.

Instead of playing it like a traditional hero, Chase prances around with a giant scabbard that we eventually find out holds a hilariously tiny dagger. To make matters funnier, Charley enters the duel with a pair of stretcher-bearers trailing right behind him, ready to cart his body away the second he gets poked.

The Secret of Charley Chase: Unlike other silent stars who played plucky underdogs or detached geniuses, Chase played the ultimate "Good Time Charley"—the average, well-dressed guy who is utterly out of his depth but desperately trying to keep up appearances.

A Century of Laughter

A hundred years later, Long Fliv the King stands as a perfect time capsule of 1920s irreverence. It’s fast, incredibly clever, and features a group of artists at the absolute top of their game inventing the rules of modern situational comedy.