Silent Film Comedy: History, Music and Laughter on Georgia’s Jekyll Island

Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived.

In a private banquet room at the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel. All program meals are served buffet-style with a variety of options to accommodate most dietary needs. On your health form, only note dietary restrictions that may be difficult to manage by selecting from the buffet. If necessary, we'll contact you to arrange a special plate. If a special plate is prepared for you, it will replace the buffet options.

Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from two professional musicians who will give lectures, provide musical accompaniment to silent films, and even treat us to a special performance; this program is also staffed with a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics. We will have meals in the Jekyll Island Club dining room and private banquet room. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

In the Club’s historic Grand Dining Room.

In our private meeting room at the Club, our instructors will begin our program with a history of the silent movie industry in its humblest beginnings and share the earliest, and shortest, examples of silent film comedy. We’ll continue with examples from the library of pioneer filmmaker Mack Sennett, including the celebrated Keystone Kops and cinema’s first breakout comedic star, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle.

In a private dining room.

Following lunch, we will be given a private behind the scenes tour of the Jekyll Island Club where we will learn about the events and people that are a part of the property's fascinating history and how it has maintained its standards of luxurious service.

At the hotel.

At the hotel, a local expert will join us to share about the island's unique coastal Georgia ecosystem and wildlife.

In the Grand Dining Room.

Our day starts with our second class at the Club—the arrival of English silent comedy star Charlie Chaplin. Old friend Fatty Arbuckle returns for some shenanigans with Charlie before he breaks out on his own. We’ll laugh through short films of Chaplin’s and segments from his feature silent films. We’ll also introduce “The Boy,” Harold Lloyd, master of the “thrill” comedy.

At the Club.

We’ll board the tram with our Group Leader and head to the Historic District Museum. First, we’ll enjoy a presentation on Jekyll’s history from a staffer. We will return to the tram to see the island’s 240-acre National Historic Landmark District, where gilded-era millionaires spent winter vacations with family, friends, and each other. It is said that Jekyll Island’s wealthy visitors once represented one-sixth of our nation's total wealth. When they weren’t relaxing at this special retreat, these famous families were making deals and building America’s economic empire. We’ll have expert commentary aboard the tram and make two stops in the Historic District.

At the hotel.

Following dinner, a talented local singer and songwriter will provide musical entertainment.

In the Grand Dining Room.

Our film instructors will join us at the Club to continue our exploration of Harold Lloyd. Fatty Arbuckle makes a final appearance, teaming with protégé Buster Keaton. We’ll see Buster’s emergence as a solo star who would overshadow all but Chaplin and Lloyd. A selection of groundbreaking (and very funny) shorts from Buster’s early career will be shown with live piano accompaniment.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Free time. You can take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. You might want to visit nearby attractions, such as St. Simons Island, which has been inhabited for over 4,000 years and is the site of numerous colonial, Revolutionary War, and Civil War battles. Or head to historic Jekyll Wharf and its many opportunities for sightseeing.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

At leisure.

In the Grand Dining Room.

In our private meeting room at the Club, our instructors will lead our final class with further exploration into the unique, time-tested comedy of the greatest silent film clown, Buster Keaton. We’ll follow the development and eventual demise of his illustrious career, concentrating on scenes from his longer films. After a hysterical interlude with Laurel and Hardy, we’ll close our class with a fond farewell to silent films as talkies emerge, rounding up our week by screening a celebrated full-length feature comedy film (titles will vary).

At the Club.

After a short walk to the adjacent pier, we will enjoy an afternoon boating field trip in search of dolphins, as well as other wildlife while admiring the scenic views of Jekyll Island. Along the way, our captains and master mariners will share their years of experience on the pristine Georgia coastline.

We will travel by shuttle to the Ocean Club for a special farewell dinner. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

In the Grand Dining Room.

We’ll join the instructors in the ballroom at the hotel to wrap up the week of the history of silent film comedy. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!