September 13, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Leslie Unger – (310) 247-3000
                         lunger@oscars.org

Academy Events Pay Homage
to French Silent Film Comedian

Beverly Hills, CA — Max Linder, the French silent film comedian who Charlie Chaplin referred to as “The Professor,” will be the focus of two programs at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on September 30 and October 7, at 7:30 p.m., in the Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater. For both evenings, Linder’s daughter, Maud, will be on hand to discuss her father’s career.

Max Linder appeared in over 600 shorts and six features in a relatively short career, with only 80 of the shorts and three of the features known to survive today. He typically portrayed a dapper dandy of the idle class, with a dashing appearance and mischievous grin. Linder created and refined a subtle and complicated style of character comedy while simultaneously reveling in the slapstick manner of the day. His career ended at the age of 42, when the comedian and his wife committed suicide. Their daughter, who remained unaware of her true parentage until adulthood, was just six months old.

On September 30, the Academy will screen “The Man in the Silk Hat,” Maud Linder’s 99–minute documentary featuring film clips and a biographical profile. The feature will be preceded by two original Max Linder comedies, “I Want a Baby” (1906) and “Friendly Understanding” (1912), both with live musical accompaniment by Michael Mortilla.

The following Friday, October 7, Maud Linder will offer commentary in conjunction with the presentation of one of her father’s Hollywood-produced features, “The Three Must-Get-Theres” (1922) and two shorts, “An Agitated Night” and “Max is Afraid of the Water” (both from 1912). Surviving segments from “Be My Wife” and “Seven Years Bad Luck” (both from 1921) also will be screened. Mortilla will again provide musical accompaniment.

Tickets for the two nights are now available, sold separately for $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with valid identification. They may be purchased in person at the Academy headquarters in Beverly Hills during regular business hours, by mail, or if still available, on the night of the event when doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Academy headquarters, for tickets purchases in advance, is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. The Academy’s Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 North Vine Street in Hollywood. For more information call (310) 247-3000, ext. 111.

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