Simon Louvish, acclaimed biographer of W. C. Fields, the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy, now delves into the dynamic start of Hollywood comedy, tracking the life and clowns of one of cinemas foremost pioneers, and uncovering the mystery of one of the screens legendary relationships - that of Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, the first great motion picture comedienne. Simon Louvish, acclaimed biographer of W. C. Fields, the Marx Brothers and Laurel and Hardy, now delves into the dynamic start of Hollywood comedy, tracking the life and clowns of one of cinemas foremost pioneers, and uncovering the mystery of one of the screens legendary relationships - that of Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, the first great motion picture comedienne. Be warned, though: the world of Mack Sennett and his Keystone Studio is not for those who want their entertainment refined, their comedy sweetened and their comedians properly house-trained. This is a tale of pratfalls and slapsticks, of lecherous husbands and unfaithful wives, mad lovers, moustache-twirling villains, flirtatious floozies, venal vagabonds and, of course, the perpetually inkompetent Keystone Kops.