Pimple’s Progress
Fred Evans, Britain’s First Film Comedy Star
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About the Book
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.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Barry Anthony
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 208
Bibliographic Info: 50 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2022
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8831-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4647-3
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments v
Preface 1
Introduction 3
Chapter 1. Pimple’s Pantomime Tradition 5
Chapter 2. Minnie Jee, the Fair Equestrian 13
Chapter 3. Uncle Will, the Musical Eccentric 21
Chapter 4. An American Interlude 27
Chapter 5. Living Pictures 32
Chapter 6. The Pooles as Partners 42
Chapter 7. Ec-Ko and Co 45
Chapter 8. Folly and Phoenix 54
Chapter 9. A Cast of Thousands, More or Less 62
Chapter 10. Uncles on Screen 70
Chapter 11. Pimple’s Popularity 78
Chapter 12. The Humor of the Halls 87
Chapter 13. Pimple’s Patriotism 96
Chapter 14. Pimple’s Three Weeks (Without the Option) 106
Chapter 15. Pimple in “The Whip” 112
Chapter 16. Our Old Pal Pimple 119
Chapter 17. Pandora B9/877 131
Chapter 18. Joey, Jimmy, and Gerry 139
Chapter 19. An End to Filming 148
Chapter 20. Family Affairs 161
Chapter 21. Postscript 166
Appendix: The Films of Fred Evans 167
Chapter Notes 189
Bibliography 193
Index 195
