Split Reel LLC

08/23/2022

SPLIT REEL LLC is pleased to announce the publication of POKES & JABBS: THE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER OF THE VIM FILMS CORPORATION by Rob Stone. It is an in-depth look at Vim Comedies, its related companies and those that made the films. In addition to Pokes & Jabbs (Bobby Burns and Walter Stull) others covered in the book include Plump & Runt (Babe Hardy and Billy Ruge), Myers & Theby, Marcel Perez, Kate Price, Dan Mason, Mae Hotely and many other all too forgotten comedians. Profusely illustrated the 7’x10’ book comes in at 480 pages making it a good long read (or a nice door stop).
But wait there is more! There were so many great photographs offered to the author that a companion book has also been released called THE POKES & JABBS PICTURE BOOK. Seventy-two pages of great photographs contributed by generous film collectors and historians including many from the personal scrapbooks of Babe Hardy, Ethel Burton and Ray Godfrey.
Both books feature great cover designs by Marlene Weisman, and the big book includes a foreword by film historian and all around good guy Steve Massa.
Books are available for purchase at Amazon.com, and most all international Amazon sites. The books are also available directly from SPLIT REEL at our website www.split-reel.com. Books purchased from our site will be signed upon request (not possible via Amazon) and postage free (USA only).

10/05/2021

Just a day left on the POKES & JABBS Kickstarter campaign. Still a chance to get deep discounts and be one of the cool kids. Thanks to all who already have supported this successful project.

POKES & JABBS: The Before, During and After of the Vim Films Corporation

09/30/2021

09/17/2021

POKES & JABBS: THE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER OF THE VIM FILMS CORPORATION

A big THANK YOU to all that have made Kickstarter pledges so far. The campaign has just started and we are well on our way!

To those of you thinking about making a pledge let me tell you about one of the bonus items available should you choose to support the Kickstarter at the appropriate level: THE POKES AND JABBS PICTURE BOOK.

All the photos that are not fit to print! Well, actually some of the photos that we couldn't fit in the book. I have been fortunate to have many, many stills provided to me for the book from archives, film historians or collectors and friends... more than will fit inside the book, but still worth seeing.

THE POKES AND JABBS PICTURE BOOK will include 48 pages of stills, trade ads and posters. Available in January for purchase for $10. But if you make a Kickstarter pledge it is only $5 (what a deal!).

Again thanks to those that have pledged so far, and look forward to more of you putting a little bit of Vim into your life.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/split-reel/new-silent-film-book-on-the-history-of-vim-comedies

09/14/2021

Tomorrow the KICKSTARTER campaign for the publication of POKES & JABBS: THE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER OF THE VIM FILMS CORPORATION launches!

The cover you see was designed by the talented Marlene Weisman. You know her work from Undercrank Productions DVDs and BluRays, or from Steve Massa's more recent books.

Michael J. Hayde, author of CHAPLIN'S VINTAGE YEAR, edited the book and has done his usual thorough job.

The book itself was researched and written by Rob Stone, author of LAUREL OR HARDY: THE SOLO FILMS OF STAN LAUREL AND OLIVER "BABE" HARDY, and promises again to be a deep dive into the fun, interesting and esoteric.

Kickstarter backers will receive the book ahead of publication date and for a discount... and there are some added bonuses available.

09/01/2021

In the early days of filmmaking companies came and went faster than the trade papers could write about them, or perhaps before the lawyers and landlords could catch up with them. One such film company was the Vim Films Corporation. Babe Hardy later in life looked back on his days with Vim in Jacksonville, Florida as his happiest days making movies. The company started out as Wizard Comedies morphed into Vim Comedies and finally was Jaxon Comedies before dissolving completely. The connecting thread was the comedy characters: POKES & JABBS. The acrobat (Bobby Burns) and the man in plaid (Walter Stull), both graduates of Lubin's Gay Time comedy producing unit, embodied the always trying harder than succeeding duo.

POKES & JABBS: THE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER OF THE VIM FILMS CORPORATION will detail every film made by Burns & Stull as Pokes & Jabbs as well as their Lubin and Komic films they made before creating those characters. The book will also include information on others that worked at Vim such as Babe Hardy, Kate Price, Marcel Perez, Dan Mason, and Billy Ruge. Many rare photos and a detailed filmography are included.

Mark SEPTEMBER 15 on your calendar. That is the day a KICKSTARTER campaign will be launched to assist in the publishing of the book. Many options for backing including acquiring the book for $10 off the regular price.

Split Reel

09/01/2021

Welcome to SPLIT REEL LLC.

SPLIT REEL LLC publishes books and other media related to the performing arts. We specialize in silent film with a focus on providing detailed, deeply researched works that highlight lesser-known aspects of the entertainment industry.

Today we introduce this page, our website (www.split-reel.com) and announce our first book to be published.

POKES & JABBS: THE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER OF THE VIM FILMS CORPORATION will be published in mid-January 2022. Written by Rob Stone and like his previous book LAUREL OR HARDY: THE SOLO FILMS OF STAN LAUREL AND OLIVER " BABE" HARDY it is a deep look at an uncharted area of silent film comedy.

We are starting a Kickstarter campaign on September 15 to help with the publishing of POKES & JABBS and more will be shared on that in coming days.

Again welcome.

Split Reel