Bangville Police (1913)

The first Keystone Kops film and, well, it's a very short example of fairly simple slapstick- no more, no less. It's mildly amusing but has none of the artistry of the true greats of the silent comedy era. Still, I must praise the performances of the impressive Fred Mace and the superb Mabel Normand. See for yourself; the film is in the public domain and on YouTube.

It's an odd historical document, mind. The American West of 1913 is a very distant era, yet the goatees of the male characters make them look like modern day metalheads.