Writer and critic Walter Kerr discusses his book "The Silent Clowns," about the film era's greats including Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Raymond Griffith, and Harry Langdon. Studs begins by reading an excerpt from James Agee's "Death in the Family" with music in the background followed by Kerr reading from his book. They begin talking about how silent films affected the audience, lesser known stars Lloyd Hamilton and Charley Chase, and then analyze several famous Charlie Chaplin scenes to assess the complex nature of his characters.

The essayist and biographer discusses her book, Mabel: Hollywood's First I-Don't-Care Girl, and how she attempted to separate the myth from the reality of the life of Hollywood actress, director, and screenwriter Mabel Normand.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations