knockturn

A musical parody of slapstick comedies, which ended up being a respectful tribute to silent comedians and a satire of life today. Song composed and performed by Heff Munson, visuals from classic silent comedies, such as "The Battle of the Century" (Laurel & Hardy") "Tillie's Punctured Romance" (Marie Dressler), "Steamboat Bill Jr" (Buster Keaton", "Fatty's Tintype Tangle" (Roscoe Arbuckle), and clips from "The Golden Age of Comedy" (Charles Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Harry Langdon, Ben Turpin). Youtube copyright guidance suggests that the parody use of brief clips makes their use allowable. Hopefully, viewers who love the silent film artists will appreciate the completed result...I couldn't get official permissions, because all the original artists are long dead. I considered re-staging all the scenes using myself, but concluded that it would be pointless, fruitless, and a far greater transgression than letting the original performers silently "speak" for themselves. My lyrics are available at my free website, www.heffmunson.com. The title "Knockturn" is a parody of a classical music style called a "Nocturne". I've tried to use a graceful musical style to bring out the surprising grace in great silent comedy. I hope you enjoy it. PS. Other Credits: Elinor Vanderveer was the dignified lady who got hit with the pie, and Anita Garvin was the lady who fell on the pie, both clips from "Battle of the Century".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• heff munson
• theseventhdawnus
• comedy
• keaton
• chaplin
• arbuckle
• buster keaton
• charlie chaplin
• harold lloyd
• fatty arbuckle
• harry langdon
• thelma todd
• zasu pitts
• marie dressler
• mabel normand
• laurel & hardy
• stan laurel
• oliver hardy
• original music
• slapstick
• silent movies
• ben turpin
• knockturn
• pie
• piethrowing
• pratfall
• splat
• amusing
• anita garvin
• Elior
• Vanderveer
• pie fight
• classical music
• symphonic

[heffmunson]

My brother Eric's songs also appear on my channel. They include:

"Change"

"Of Ellen"

"Anxious Heart"

He also wrote the lyrics and sang on "Loneliness Is", another video on my channel. That way you can listen to his stuff even if he's being shy. He may not have mentioned it, but we are working on more music.

[ToastyOrangutan]

Thank-you so much for making this video! It really is a treat to find beautiful tributes like this! Being 18, it is VERY challenging and sometimes frustrating having such a great and in-depth fascination and love for these silent film and Golden Age of Hollywood actors, because it is nearly impossible to find any peers who have a similar passion. I'm so happy to say that I am very familiar with each and every one of these people in this wonderful video! Thank-you so much once again! Take Care!

[heffmunson]

The problem I have is that my conscientious interpretation of copyright law inhibits my ability to do more like this, so it will probably be unique for me. of my other videos, only "A Screwdriver Wants to Sing the Opera" comes close. Thanks for your message, though.

[andyrw100]

Beautiful!! A great antidote to the insane world we seem to live in today. Many thanks for this (and great to see the wonderful Thelma Todd get a mention!)

[heffmunson]

Thanks for your reply, especially about it being an antidote (based on the number of views, though, not very many people realize they're ill).

[ireland1953]

Love the music. "Knockturn".



[SeanaDanielin]

This is excellent! Wonderful song! This is a loving tribute to all these great comedy stars...thank you so much for making it. They were the best!

[gracefulfish]

Heff: I happened to meet your brother on a dating website, and nagging him to share his vocal efforts with me, led me to your amazing songwriting skill and this dreamily beautiful clip. KUDOS to YOU!  (It's a sad waste of my beloved favorite custard pie lol) but how exquisitely pretty, the way you timed your song with the

action in this lovely tribute. Thanks.

[Eoydo]

Yay! Roscoe!

[deftlink]

BUSTER KEATOOOOOOON!!! (L)

[swantavernradio]

I feel better already!