A Tribute to Silent Films of the Past and the Things That Happened That Were to Do With Them

I have always been interested in silent films, particularly those with no sound. The silence in these films has had a profound influence on our society, not only on how libraries are run, but also on the invention of the Quiet Zone, found on some of our most popular train services.

According to a special report, 70% of silent films have either been completely lost, partly lost, or are scheduled to be lost. This is a great shame. As a noted film critic commented recently: 'This is a great shame.'

The first ever silent film was two seconds long and instantly won the Cannes Jury Prize for Best First Ever Silent Film.

Music was used to accompany these films, often on piano, Linn Drum or Fogophone. The Fogophone was an unusual instrument that made strange but effective musical noises which scientists later discovered resembled the mating call of the gannet. Cinemas later stopped using the Fogophone after a spate of violent gannet attacks.

Before colours were discovered, silent films were shown in black and white. One was shown entirely in black, but this was deemed an unsuccessful experiment as no one could see anything. As a film critic commented at the time: 'I can't see anything.' Silent comedies became extremely popular, especially when in 1902 actor Hilary Pratt first slapped someone with a stick. Thus was coined the well-known phrase: 'film violence.'

Silent films disappeared when sound was made in 1925, and the era went the way of so many other eras of that era. Of course, silence is still used in films to this day, mainly between words or phrases, or when nothing much is going on.  Long live silence and also films as well.

The last in the series of my mad comedy podcasts is now online you see

Series 3, Episode 6: It'll take a lorry load of dynamite to stop us - and that's exactly what this week's episode provides. We also have several less than special guests, each bringing something to the table in their own inimitable style. But where are the chairs? Is it standing room only? Will the fuzz duck win through? And, if so, win through what? Tune in and find out in tonight's concluding audiotronic showdown... before it's too late!Go here to listen!
http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/john_dredge_show/

Episode 5 of The John Dredge Nothing To Do With Anything Show is now online for YOU

Series 3, Episode 5: An exciting detective serial doesn't kick off this week's programme. In fact, the serial comes slightly later into the show than you might think, although just how far in you think it is I have no idea. Never mind, though, as artichokes are very much to the fore tonight, along with classic U-boats and sundry assorted burgon dispensers. Ka-pow! Here's the link YOU need!
http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/john_dredge_show/

Episode 4 of The John Dredge Nothing To Do With Anything Show now online folks

Series 3, Episode 4: Biscuits! Ever wondered what space aliens get up to in Frinton? No?!? Then here's your chance to find out! Coming to you directly from our Pebble Mill studios, this week's mellifluous montage of music and movement comes to you directly from our Mebble Pill studios. For your free World of Twig Harper Magazine, please see press for details. Failing that, ask Jill at the front desk for one and see how far it gets you. Hosted by the British Comedy Guide, here's the link you need! http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/john_dredge_show/

Episode 3 of The John Dredge Nothing To Do With Anything Show now online!

Series 3, Episode 3: This week, The Actor Greg Haiste emerges from enforced retirement with self-penned material and receives short shrift, which becomes shorter and shriftier as time goes on. We also bring you not-at-all-acclaimed Trip Advisor contributor Peter Pilbeam as he reviews another hotel or something. Plus David Lynch showcases his unique control of the weather, despite receiving even shorter shrift than The Actor Greg Haiste. Fair do's, though, fair do's.  

Hosted by the British Comedy Guide website – here’s the link you need! 
http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/john_dredge_show/

Episode 2 of the new series of The John Dredge Nothing To Do With Anything Show now online!

To the lilting strains of your friendly neighbourhood fuzz duck, we gather another episode while we may. In this week’s barnstorming bonanza of balderdash, Farmer Collins is on hand with a new yet unimproved agricultural song, and Terry Medford has trouble with his slippers. Plus, in Part Two, you can hear both Parts Three and Four for a limited time only. In fact, the limited time is now up, which shows you just how limited time can be.

Hosted by the British Comedy Guide website – here’s the link you need! 

http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/john_dredge_show/series3_2/

new series of comedy podcasts now online

An insanely silly comedy podcast series featuring strange skits, surreal spoofs and sublime sound effects, from the peculiar minds of radiophonic personage John Dredge and his producer sidekick Richard Cray. With frankly baffling guest appearances from Anna Emerson, Greg Haiste, James Shakeshaft, Mark Davison and Katy Slater, the show delivers 20 minutes of continuous audio weirdness and deranged sonic hi-jinks direct from the ether, like.

"Podcast heaven", Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard. "Some of the funniest, most imaginative comedy I have heard in years", GoodPodcasts.com

Series 3, Episode 1: In today's opening salvo of stuff, we bring you up-to-the-minute Shoe Shop News from the actual owners of a shoe shop. Avant-garde film-maker and amateur weather forecaster David Lynch turns up uninvited yet again, and there's a game show the like of which you've never heard before or since - but who is in the soundproof booth? And what of Basil the Cylinder? Tune in and find out, holdall fans!

The series is hosted online by the British Comedy Guide website and here's a link to the show!
http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/john_dredge_show/