Each year Flatpack pays homage to a patron saint, someone from Birmingham who has played a role in film history. In some ways our honoree this year was a bit-part player – a man whose CV includes roles like ‘Front End of Horse’ and ‘Man Hit by Tomato’ – but Charlie Hall (1899-1959) was also an integral part of the team behind cinema’s best-loved double-act. Apart from the boys themselves, he appeared in more Laurel and Hardy films than anyone else, as well as writing gags, building sets and working with the likes of Abbot and Costello, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. He grew up in Ward End, Birmingham (down the road from the birthplace of Iris Barry, last year’s patron saint) and this year we’ll be doffing a cap to him.

In the meantime, here’s a festive selection of L&H. Charlie is the chap who kicks out the dog (Laughing Gravy) 30 seconds in…

Category : patron saints   |   Posted by : Ian   |   Tags : archive, Charlie Hall, comedy, Laurel & Hardy, slapstick   |   No Comments

A taste of coming attractions….

UNCLE HANS-PETER PARTY at FLATPACK 24.03.10 from Let Me Feel Your Finger First on Vimeo.

Uncle Hans-Peter is a character from the world of Let Me Feel Your Finger First. He started out in comic books, then animation, and now has a whole evening at VIVID devoted to him. Each guest receives a free mask and comic.

Or if you’re after something a bit more genteel tomorrow there’s a double-bill of 30s events at Ikon Eastside; a look at Birmingham’s literary and cultural scene, and then a programme of animation, docs and avant-garde shorts all shown by Birmingham Film Society around the same time. Tickets are £6 each, or £9 for both on the night. As a bit of homework for the literary event, check out Michael Johnston’s google map of 30s Birmingham.

Category : programme   |   Posted by : Ian   |   Tags : 1930s, animation, archive, Uncle Hans-Peter   |   No Comments