Mabel Normand honored by the National Film Registry

[Reel...@aol.com]

Among the films honored by inclusion on the Library of Congress'
National Film Registry at the end of 2009 is "Mabel's Blunder," a
classic Keystone comedy that is an excellent example of Mabel
Normand's brilliant, multi-faceted talent. Mabel not only starred in
"Mabel's Blunder" but also wrote and directed the 1914 two-reel
comedy--and in the course of the film drives a large touring car on
the streets of Edendale with as much aplomb as she handles a fast
racing car on the Santa Monica track in "Mabel at the Wheel," which
she made earlier the same year. "Mabel's Blunder" is the first film
with the beautiful comedic genius to be honored by the National Film
Registry. Their description of this wonderful and hilarious film
states:

"Mabel Normand, who wrote, directed and starred in 'Mabel's
Blunder,' was the most successful of the early silent screen
comediennes. The film tells the tale of a young woman who is secretly
engaged to the boss' son. When a new employee catches the young man's
eye, a jealous Mabel dresses up as a chauffeur to spy on them, which
leads to a series of mistaken identities. The film showcases
Normand's spontaneous and intuitive playfulness and her ability to be
both romantically appealing and boisterously funny."

For more on "Mabel's Blunder," including a link to the film on
YouTube, and a complete list of all the films included in the National
Film Registry, check out the following at Marilyn Slater's outstanding
Mabel Normand website at: http://looking-for-mabel.webs.com/mabelsblunder.htm