1.) Who were Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd and why were they so important to the success of Hollywood in the silent era?

Buster Keaton, was an American actor, comedian, film director, producer, screenwriter, and stunt performer. He was known as “The Great Stone Face” due to his well known trademark in this silent films of physical comedy with a deadpan expression.

Charlie Chaplin was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, “The Tramp”, and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of the film industry.

Harold Lloyd was an American actor, comedian, director, producer, screenwriter, and stunt performer who is best known for his silent comedy films. Lloyd made nearly 200 comedy films, both silent and “Talkies”, between 1914 and 1947.

2.)  Name a film (with date) starring each of the above.

Buster Keaton: The Cameraman (1928)

Charlie Chaplin: The Great Dictator (1940)

Harold Lloyd: Safety Last (1923)

3.) Who were the Italian and French equivalents of Charlie Chaplin?

Italian: Toto

French: Jacques Tati