It took over sixty years, but the authentic location of comedic filmmaking pioneer Mack Sennett’s Keystone Studios has been properly recognized and dedicated. The studio was the birthplace of the “Keystone Cops” and the early playground of film legends like Charlie Chaplin.
Participating in the dedication ceremony on February 27, 2015, was Film Historian and PRO-TEK Restoration Expert, Stan Taffel, who spoke about Sennett’s filmmaking legacy and ground-breaking work in comedy. Taffel is one of PRO-TEK’s filmmaking experts often called upon for their knowledge of the motion picture industry and the medium of film. As authorities on restoration, preservation and archiving, the professionals at PRO-TEK are valuable film references, recognized worldwide for their understanding of cinematic history dating back to the silent era.
“Mack Sennett and other pioneers made it possible for those in the movie industry today to do what they do,” says Taffel. “He practically taught the world to laugh. For several decades of the 20th century, he honored us with his many gifts. It’s fitting that in the 21st century, we honor him.”
One of Keystone Studio’s century-old buildings remains as one of the last vestiges of the pre-Hollywood, silent film production era of Edendale – now Los Angeles’ Echo Park – during the 1910s. In 1954, a plaque honoring Sennet as “The King of Comedy” and commemorating Keystone Studios as “The Birthplace of Motion Picture Comedy” was installed on the wrong building, across the street.
Nonprofit group Hollywood Heritage was instrumental in correcting the error and raising the necessary funds to restore the plaque, embellish it with an added inscription and move it to the correct location at 1712 Glendale Boulevard. Sennett also was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
About PRO-TEK
PRO-TEK, a division of LAC Group, offers state-of-the-art inspection, restoration, preservation, curation and archiving services for motion picture, still photography and digital media assets. Launched by Eastman Kodak in 1994 and acquired by LAC Group in 2013, PRO-TEK sets the standard for a precise, critically controlled environment and processes for long-term safeguarding of valuable content. The skills and knowledge of PRO-TEK’s film and digital media experts are unmatched in the areas of provenance, preservation, curation and monetization. PRO-TEK is one of the few businesses capable of delivering fullservice solutions for the evolving needs of the media and entertainment industry.
