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Back Stage is a 1919 American silent comedy film directed by and starring Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, with Buster Keaton in a supporting role. The film revolves around two stagehands, Fatty and Buster, working at a vaudeville theater where they become involved in numerous comedic mishaps while trying to help a group of performers. As the duo encounters various challenges and obstacles, they rely on their ingenuity and physical comedy to save the day. Back Stage showcases the talents of both Arbuckle and Keaton, who were famous figures in the silent film era. The film is notable for its expertly choreographed slapstick comedy and the chemistry between the two leads. Back Stage features several memorable scenes, including a famous sequence where Arbuckle and Keaton use a pulley system to hoist themselves up and down the theater's backstage area, demonstrating their comedic timing and physical prowess.

The Scarecrow is a 1920 American short comedy film directed by Edward F. Cline and Buster Keaton, starring Keaton, Joe Roberts, and Sybil Seely. The film follows the story of two farmhands, Buster and Joe, who are rivals for the affection of their employer's daughter, Sally. However, the story takes a hilarious turn as Buster disguises himself as a scarecrow, and both farmhands engage in a series of comedic situations in their pursuit of Sally's love. Produced by Joseph M. Schenck, The Scarecrow is a prime example of the silent film era's slapstick comedy and Keaton's clever visual humor. Running for 19 minutes, The Scarecrow features several iconic scenes, including the Rube Goldberg-inspired contraption-filled shack where Buster and Joe live and the thrilling chase sequence with a dog, demonstrating Keaton's impressive physicality and stunt work. The film was well-received upon release and has since become a classic, with Keaton's talents as an actor, director, and stunt performer leaving an indelible mark on the history of cinema.

Madeline Bassett felt excitement and trepidation as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow upon the picturesque English countryside. The day had been one of profound emotion and discovery, for it was on this day that she had first met Augustus "Gussie" Fink-Nottle. The encounter had left an indelible mark on her heart, and as she wandered through the verdant gardens of Totleigh Towers, she knew she had to capture the essence of her experience in verse. In the solitude of her room, she sat down to pen a poem that would encapsulate the whimsy and enchantment of the day. Yet, as she wrote, within her heart, a tender note of regret echoed, for she now understood that her newfound connection with Gussie would prevent her from ever being able to make Bertie Wooster a happy man. With the delicate imagery of the stars as God's daisy chain, Madeline hoped to inspire and uplift Bertie's spirits, even as their paths diverged. The poem"'Neath the Starry Veil" was a tribute to the magical bond forged between two kindred spirits that fateful day while acknowledging the bittersweet nature of love's unpredictable path.

From the pen of Dr. Watson: Ah, I remember "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" quite vividly. It was a chilly winter holiday season when Holmes and I were entangled in a peculiar mystery. It all began when a distressed hat and a goose were found by a commissionaire named Peterson. Holmes, intrigued by the lost items, began to deduce the characteristics of the hat's owner. Little did we know that our investigation into the seemingly trivial matter would lead us into a much larger mystery. As we delved deeper into the case, we came across a precious gem - the Blue Carbuncle, a stone with a rich history entwined with misfortune and crime. The gem's sudden appearance in such an unexpected situation left us astonished. With his exceptional skills of deduction, Holmes pieced together the improbable chain of events that connected the goose, the hat, and the precious gem. Our pursuit of the truth led us through the streets of London, encountering various characters along the way. Each interaction brought us closer to understanding the enigmatic circumstances surrounding the Blue Carbuncle. As the investigation unfolded, Holmes and I were again reminded of human nature's complexities and the importance of justice. That adventure, my friend, was certainly one for the books.

"Uncle Fred in the Springtime" is a humorous novel by British author P.G. Wodehouse, first published in the United States on August 18, 1939, and in the United Kingdom on August 25, 1939. It is the second book featuring the character Uncle Fred, Lord Ickenham, who is the protagonist of five novels and several short stories. The plot revolves around Uncle Fred's visit to Blandings Castle, where he impersonates a famous poet named Roderick Pyke. He attempts to solve multiple problems the castle's inhabitants face, including romantic entanglements, financial issues, and a stolen necklace. Throughout the story, Fred employs his wit and resourcefulness to help the characters find happiness, often by deceiving others and manipulating events to his advantage. The novel is characterized by comedic situations and witty dialogue, making it a classic example of Wodehouse's signature style.

"Uncle Dynamite" is a comic novel by British author P.G. Wodehouse, first published in the United States on October 24, 1948, and in the United Kingdom on November 19, 1948. It is the second novel featuring the character Uncle Fred, whose real name is Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, 5th Earl of Ickenham. The story follows Uncle Fred as he attempts to help his nephew Pongo Twistleton, who is in love with Sally Painter. However, complications arise when Sally's estranged husband, Bill Oakshott, reappears. The situation becomes even more tangled when the imperious Sir Aylmer Bostock, a wealthy widow named Hermione Brimble, and a suspicious butler named Horace enter the mix. Like many of Wodehouse's novels, "Uncle Dynamite" features a blend of humor, wit, and farcical situations. The story is set in and around Ashenden Manor, owned by Sir Aylmer Bostock. It features the author's signature elements of mistaken identity, romantic entanglements, and the intricate schemes Uncle Fred devises to ensure the happiness of his loved ones.

Barmy has assembled a group of supposed musicians to perform in blackface for his aunt's 50th-anniversary celebration. In London, Pauline is distressed as she believes a man is tailing her, prompting Bertie to be enlisted as her escort to Chuffnell Hall in her vehicle. Inevitably, they run out of fuel and must spend the night at a small inn. Chuffy remains composed when Stoker reveals the pair's overnight stay on the road, which upsets Pauline; isn't he concerned enough to be jealous of her? Stoker entices Bertie onto his yacht and confines him in a stateroom until a coerced marriage occurs; Jeeves liberates Bertie, who escapes by posing as one of the blackface musicians. Bertie, Stoker, Sir Roderick, and all of Barmy's musicians are arrested in blackface before Chuffy as the local magistrate. Trivia: Upon the series broadcast in the United States, several PBS affiliates opted not to air this particular episode due to scenes featuring characters in blackface, encompassing an entire minstrel musical ensemble.

Bertie contemplates adopting a child to enliven his humdrum existence. However, after being mistaken for a thief, he is pressured into delivering a speech at a girls' school, which dampens his enthusiasm for children and quashes the idea. Meanwhile, Tuppy sustains injuries during fierce village rugby matches to impress his latest romantic interest, Daisy. Additionally, Bingo bombards his uncle with countless romantic novel readings to win him over when Bingo begins dating a waitress. Witnessing such drastic actions, Bertie concludes that remaining single is the better choice. Trivia: Despite Sir Reginald's claim that the rugby match between the two villages is uncommon because it takes place in the summer, the absence of leaves on the trees indicates it was played in winter. The dartboard featured in the game that Jeeves wins is distinctly rotated (54° counterclockwise from the standard position), positioning the 3 and 19 segments to the lower right. Typically, the 3 is found at the center bottom.

Bertie encounters several dilemmas. One involves helping the lethargic 'Bicky' Bickersteth stay in Manhattan while continuing to receive financial support from his luxury-loathing father, the Duke of Chiswick. The second issue concerns the reclusive poet Rocky, who leads a simple life in a countryside cabin, inspiring his poetry. His Aunt Isabel wishes for him to relocate to the bustling city and share his experiences of its nightlife, an idea that repulses Rocky. Naturally, a solution exists that requires a bit of cooperation, but until Jeeves resolves the matter, Bertie is the one left grappling with these challenges. The preacher "Jimmy Mundy" is a nod to the renowned evangelist of that time, Billy Sunday (1862 - 1935). While Bertie is meant to be in America during the 1930/31 period, shots of Times Square featuring illuminated signs reveal an anachronism – an advertisement for the 1945 film Saratoga Trunk can be seen on the left.

A domineering Aunt Agatha instructs Bertie to visit Deverill Hall to win Gertrude Winkworth's heart. Meanwhile, Gussie Fink-Nottle plans to visit the hall to impress Dame Daphne, Gertrude's mother, and godmother to his beloved Madeleine Bassett. When Gussie is detained for attempting to collect newts from the Trafalgar Square fountain, Bertie seizes the opportunity to fulfill Agatha's wishes by traveling to the hall and posing as Gussie. Upon Gussie's eventual arrival, he must impersonate Bertie. Gertrude becomes enamored with Gussie, sparking romance, and Gussie decides to end things with Madeleine by writing her a letter. Bertie's attempts to retrieve the letter result in his arrest and, even worse, attract Madeleine's affection. Ultimately, Jeeves comes to Bertie's rescue once again. Influenced by the Wodehouse novel "The Mating Season," this intriguing story references Jack Buchanan, a Scottish entertainer known for his song and dance performances on British stages and screens during the 1920s and 1930s. He is most famously associated with his role in the Fred Astaire musical, "The Band Wagon."

Sporting a fake beard, Bingo Little masquerades as a workers' advocate to impress Charlotte Corday Rowbotham, the daughter of a socialist speaker, much to the dismay of her other suitor, Comrade Butt. Thankfully, Jeeves intervenes to derail Bingo's romantic pursuit, resulting in chaos at the races. However, Bertie faces an even more significant challenge. Hoping to win the favor of novelist Cornelia Fothergill, whose stories she wishes to feature in her magazine, Aunt Dahlia tasks Bertie with stealing a despised painting by Mrs. Fothergill's father-in-law, which has long plagued her marriage. Naturally, Bertie proves to be a terrible thief, and unexpectedly, the formidable Spode comes to his aid – alongside Jeeves.

Jeeves resigns when Bertie persists with his mediocre horn playing during a countryside getaway. Chuffy provides Bertie with a rural cottage for rent and employs Jeeves as his own personal valet. Chuffy is smitten with an American heiress but becomes disheartened upon learning that she was once betrothed to Bertie. A significant disagreement ensues, leaving Chuffy and his family at odds with the American visitors.

Initially, Bertie is called to a coastal resort by Aunt Agatha, who has found a fitting matrimonial prospect for him. Coincidentally, the pearls that the young woman offers as security for a loan resemble those that have disappeared from Aunt Agatha's room... or is it mere happenstance? Subsequently, another of Bertie's friends finds himself betrothed to Honoria Glossop after losing track of the woman he intended to marry. At the same time, Jeeves appears uncharacteristically reluctant to help the friend regain his liberty. Trivia Mary Wimbush (Aunt Agatha) and Graham Seed (Sidney) co-starred as mother and son, Julia and Nigel Pargetter, for several years in The Archers. The locomotive briefly seen in the opening sequence is a GWR (Great Western Railway) 6400 Class No. 6412 pannier tank engine. In his Telegraph column, Stephen Fry discusses filming this episode on location in Sidmouth. The column is featured in Paperweight (1992), a collection of Fry's columns, reviews, and various scripts from the 1980s and early 1990s. The number plate of the rental car that Jeeves and Wooster use to travel from the train station to the hotel reads PG 9441. The theatrical musical depicted in this episode, Woof, Woof, premiered on Broadway on Christmas Day 1929 and ran until February 1st the following year.

Gussie records the peculiarities of Sir Watkyn and Spode in a small notebook to boost his self-assurance, but he misplaces it. Stephanie discovers the notebook but refuses to return it until Jeeves persuades Sir Watkyn to grant her permission to wed Harold. However, when Jeeves' attempts go awry, Stephanie personally hands the notebook over to Spode. To please Stephanie, Harold pilfers a constable's helmet and stashes it in Bertie's room, after which Stephanie informs both the policeman and her father that Bertie is the thief.

Complex romantic relationships become further tangled by a one-of-a-kind silver cow-shaped creamer coveted by Bertie's Uncle Thomas and his opponent, Judge Sir Watkyn Bassett. Sir Watkyn deceitfully acquires the creamer, claiming to the store owner that Thomas had dispatched him. Bertie's Aunt Dahlia and his pal "Stiffy" Byng each have their own motives for wanting him to purloin the creamer. However, Bertie is hesitant, as Judge Sir Watkyn has previously sentenced him for swiping a police officer's helmet, and he wishes to avoid imprisonment. Trivia: The shooting site for Sir Watkyn's residence is actually Highclere Castle, the exact location used in Downton Abbey. This episode and its sequel (s2e2) are derived from the novel "The Code of the Woosters," which is often regarded as the pinnacle of the entire Bertie Wooster series. The two episodes together represent Wodehouse's satirical view of the Nazi Black Shirts, inspired by his experiences during World War II when he was interned in Germany after being captured in France following the German invasion. The character Roderick Spode is inspired by the real-life figure Sir Oswald Mosley, the founder of the Saviors of Britain, a British fascist group in the 1930s patterned after Mussolini's Black Shirts.

Blandings Castle and Elsewhere, a compilation of short stories by P. G. Wodehouse, was first published in the United Kingdom on April 12, 1935, by Herbert Jenkins, London, and later in the United States as Blandings Castle on September 20, 1935, by Doubleday Doran, New York. These stories had already appeared in Strand Magazine (UK) and various US magazines except for the last one. The initial six stories in the book take place at the eponymous Blandings Castle, set sometime between the events of Leave it to Psmith (1923) and Summer Lightning (1929). These stories portray Lord Emsworth of Blandings Castle as a gentleman farmer focused on growing award-winning pumpkins and exceptionally devoted to his prized pig, Empress of Blandings. He also cares for his nieces, nephews, and the romantic life of his younger son Freddie Threepwood. The seventh story features Bobbie Wickham, a friend and occasional fiancée of Bertie Wooster, who is also present in three stories in Mr. Mulliner Speaking. The final five stories, narrated by Mr. Mulliner, take place in Hollywood, set among the film studios Wodehouse was familiar with during his time as a screenwriter in 1930-31.

Buster departs for the city, intending to demonstrate his capabilities to his girlfriend's father. Her imagination embellishes his actual positions as he informs her about his various occupations through letters\. She envisions him as a skilled surgeon while he works as a veterinarian's assistant. Likewise, she imagines him making a fortune on Wall Street when he is employed as a janitor. For this movie's chase scene, filming occurred in San Francisco, a significant distance from Buster Keaton's Los Angeles studio. Historians believe that Keaton desired to be near his friend Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle, who was facing a trial in the city for the alleged murder of Virginia Rappe. This is the only film in which Buster Keaton chose Renée Adorée as his lead actress. At the time, Adorée was a relatively unknown starlet at Fox Films before gaining fame at MGM with The Big Parade (1925). It is reported that Keaton made an uncredited cameo appearance in the 1929 MGM feature Tide of Empire (1929), which starred Adorée.

Bertie feels upset as Jeeves was sent to persuade Anatole to return to Brinkley Court. Therefore, he keeps trying to rekindle the relationships between Tuppy and Angela and between Gussie and Madeline. As a result, Gussie and Angela get engaged, while Madeline anticipates that Bertie will marry her.

Bertie attempts to play the matchmaker without Jeeves' assistance. His friend Gussie is smitten with Madeline, who is coincidentally staying at Bertie's Aunt Dahlia's residence. Bertie arranges for Gussie to visit her. Simultaneously, Aunt Dahlia is eager to secure 500 pounds from her husband to save her struggling magazine, while Tuppy's engagement to Angela Travers has been called off. Bertie offers the same advice to both parties: abstaining from indulging in the delectable dishes Aunt Dahlia's chef Anatole prepared during dinner to demonstrate their heartache and misery. However, their sorrow only intensifies when Anatole decides to resign.

Mulliner Nights, a compilation of short stories authored by P.G. Wodehouse, debuted in the United Kingdom on January 17, 1933, through Herbert Jenkins, and in the United States on February 15, 1933, with Doubleday, Doran. These stories first appeared in magazines in the UK and the US between 1930 and 1932. This anthology marks the third installment spotlighting Mr. Mulliner, the narrator of all nine tales within the book, as he regales readers with the far-fetched adventures of his wide-ranging family.

During the Prohibition era, two friends ended up in jail after one accidentally sold their homemade beer to a police officer. While incarcerated, one friend's loose tooth causes a buzzing sound when he speaks, often leading to trouble. However, this oddity earns him the respect of a tough inmate called The Tiger. Seizing the opportunity, the duo manages to escape alongside The Tiger during one of his breakout attempts. To avoid capture, they disguise themselves with blackface and hide on a cotton plantation. But, unfortunately, their luck runs out when the prison warden happens to pass by and hears the distinctive buzzing sound of the loose tooth, exposing their true identities. Back in prison, they find themselves caught in the crossfire between the state militia and armed prisoners during another escape attempt by The Tiger. In a surprising turn, the senior warden pardons the two friends, mistakenly believing they intentionally warned the prison guards about the impending chaos by firing the first shots.

Stanley and Oliver, ambitious mousetrap salesmen, dream of making their fortune in Switzerland but find themselves duped by a cunning cheesemaker. Struggling to repay their hotel debt, they work off their dues while Oliver finds himself smitten with Anna, a chambermaid. Unbeknownst to them, Anna is a renowned opera singer covertly keeping an eye on her composer husband, Victor, as he crafts his latest opera. Tasked with relocating Victor's piano to a remote treehouse, Stanley and Oliver find themselves in a precarious situation on a shaky rope bridge suspended high above an Alpine ravine, unexpectedly encountering a gorilla midway. 1. Charles Gemora played the gorilla and previously portrayed Ethel the Chimp in L&H short The Chimp (1932) 2. The film features a famous comedy scene of Laurel and Hardy moving a piano across a bridge; originally, there was a bomb subplot. 3. Anita Garvin was not retired, as often claimed, and appeared in multiple films between 1936 and 1940 4. "Swiss Miss" was the most expensive L&H feature with a $700,000 budget. 5. Rumored to be filmed in color but processed in black and white; no color print has been found 6. Hal Roach's daughter, Margaret, and Stan Laurel's daughter, Lois, both appeared in uncredited parts. 7. Grete Natzler, aka Della Lind, had her final film appearance in "Swiss Miss" 8. L&H also had difficulties moving a piano in their 1932 short The Music Box. 9. An 18-minute version, "Alpine Antics," primarily featured the brandy/St. Bernard and rope bridge/gorilla sequences. 10. Isabella Knotter filed a plagiarism suit against Hal Roach Studios and others, claiming her story was infringed upon. 11. The film was first telecasted in various cities between 1948 and 1949 as part of a newly acquired series of Hal Roach features. 12. Laurel and Hardy were paid in worthless currency in "Swiss Miss" and "Hollywood Party." 13. Lyricist Arthur Quenzer argued that Walter Woolfe King and Della Lind were the real stars, with L&H serving as comic relief

Jacket Summary The Pink Crayfish, a necklace damned and feared since time long passed, had seemed to vanish, entombed in oblivion's bottomless pit. Until a squad of big-dreaming archaeologists, claws outstretched, hauled it back to the surface of daylight. Unbeknownst to the relentless fortune-hunters, they invoked the curse with their discovery, and one by one, the wicked plague plucked their souls away. Jack LaRue was a good man, or as good as they come in this rotten world. He was a hard worker who kept his head down and did his job. But his luck ran out when he got tangled up in the twisted tale of the cursed necklace. Jack's lifeless body was found slumped in the shadows of the excavation site, and the necklace had vanished without a trace. Enter Rex "The Raptor" Rafferty, a private eye with a nose for trouble and a penchant for dames in distress. A tall drink of water with a face chiseled from stone, Rafferty had a reputation for getting the job done, no matter the cost. They called him "The Raptor" for his uncanny ability to swoop in and snatch up what he was after, whether it was a priceless gem or a woman's heart. When Lila LaRue, Jack's kid sister and a chorus girl with a heart as pure as the driven snow, came to him seeking justice for her slain brother, he couldn't resist the call. About the Author Rex West, born Percival Cyril Gorringe in 1895, was a prolific and enigmatic British author who enjoyed a cult following during the golden age of detective fiction. A man of sidewhiskers and few other talents, Gorringe grew up in the idyllic English countryside and studied literature at Oxford University, where he first dabbled as a playwright. Gorringe was reputed to have a penchant for the dramatic arts. He was constantly attempting to raise funds for theatrical productions based on novels like "Spindrift," even though these plays were rarely if ever, seen by the public eye. Yet he truly shined as a writer of pulp detective fiction. His masterful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and intricate plots were not missed by his dedicated fans. Despite his forays into other creative pursuits, his exceptional skill in crafting suspenseful and thrilling detective stories solidified his place outside the annals of literary history. Reviews "While I cannot say that this particular genre of fiction appeals to my personal taste, one must recognize the author's ability to engage the reader with a tale of high-stakes drama and intrigue." -- Reginald Jeeves "Oh, what a corker of a tale! Jolly well done, I say. The author has quite the knack for spinning a gripping yarn. I'm on tenterhooks waiting for the next installment, don't you know." -- Bertram Wooster, Esq

Eggs, Beans, and Crumpets is a collection of short stories by P. G. Wodehouse, published in 1940 in the UK and the US with slightly different content. The stories feature recurring characters such as Bingo Little, Mr. Mulliner, Ukridge, Freddie Widgeon, and the Oldest Member. The US edition included three other Ukridge stories and three Drones Club stories, some of which were already published in the UK or would be published later in other collections. The US edition omitted two stories in The Crime Wave at Blandings (1937).

NATO agent John Drake is prompted to investigate after a man who embezzled five million dollars of gold bullion is killed. To find the victim's girlfriend, whom he believes is his best lead, Drake questions people around Rome, but no one seems to have any information on her whereabouts. Eventually, a clue on a painting leads him to a country residence, where it becomes evident that others are also searching for the loot and will go to great lengths to obtain it. In the debut episode featuring Patrick McGoohan as John Drake, the rural setting of Italy was portrayed by Portmeirion, a Welsh seaside village later used as the filming location for McGoohan's series "The Prisoner" in 1967. Interestingly, John Drake was seen driving an Aston Martin in this episode, predating James Bond's famous association with the luxury car brand.