PAUL MERTON'S SILENT CLOWNS BBC Two: Starts Saturday 10 November 2007 Paul Merton shares his passion for silent film in this four-part series on the work of the great comic performers of the era. BUSTER KEATON BBC Two: Sat 10 Nov 6.35pm-7.35pm Paul looks at the career of the master of deadpan humour - the very actor who inspired him to get into comedy. During the programme he is shown a recently discovered Keaton joke that had been lost for 75 years. CHARLIE CHAPLIN BBC Two: Sat 17 Nov 6pm-7pm Although many associate Chaplin with the US, the Little Tramp was born to a poor family in South London. Paul explores Chaplin's roots and learns from mime legend Marcel Marceau the great influence Chaplin had on his work. LAUREL & HARDY BBC Two: Sat 24 Nov 6.10pm-7.10pm Paul celebrates the ultimate double act. Laurel & Hardy's transition to the talkies was the most successful of any of the silent clowns yet it was in the silent films that they developed their trademark sense of comic timing. HAROLD LLOYD BBC Two: Sat 1 Dec 6.10pm-7.10pm Paul reveals how one of the biggest box office stars of the 1920s pulled off his celebrated stunts. He also tells the story of how a man of modest natural talents was able to turn himself from a theatrical extra into a comedy superstar.
