Battle of the Century
(Battle of the Century)
dir. Clyde Bruckman, USA, 1927
cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and others
DCP, 18'
Source: Lobster Films
Throwing a cake in your face is, next to slipping on a banana peel, one of the most popular slapstick gags. There is no shortage of either in Battle of the Century. It is said that as many as three thousand real pies, supplied by a New York pastry shop, were used in the making of the battle scene. The scene was indeed the battle of the century for many years, as in no other film did so many people get hit in the face with a cake. The record was only broken in 1965 during the making of the comedy The Great Race, on the set of which even more cakes flew. The Battle of the Century is ridiculous but to this day the funniest film of its kind.
section: Silent Cinema for Children
Film presented in the set: Duck soup / Battle of the Century
introduction to the film: Michał Pieńkowski
live music: Mario Forte