<p> Many movie genres developed during the silent era but none was as lasting as comedies. Actors and actresses stood in front of crude hand-cranked cameras and invented a style that made people laugh and forget their troubles. </p><p> This is an encyclopedic work to persons institutions and terms associated with silent film comedy. For people there is a capsule biography and a summary of their contribution. For studios and companies there is a brief history and for terms a full definition is given.</p>