“Two Tars” (1928) is, for my money, the teams greatest silent film and requires two viewings. To that end, I’ve posted two different versions of ‘Two Tars’. The above is of lesser picture quality but uses the original synchronized score/effects track which is far superior to the re-do on the version posted below. However, the second of the two versions of ‘Two Tars’ that I’ve posted below is of much better picture quality. With careful timing, you can mute the soundtrack of the below version and use the audio of the above, using two versions of ‘Two Tars’ for two viewing experiences.

The reason ‘Two Tars’ requires two viewings is because it is one of the most astonishingly elaborate pieces of comedy filmmaking ever achieved and when you consider the fact that it’s all accomplished ‘in-camera’–no effects, all just practical stunts–you begin to appreciate the grueling effort that went into the filmmaking. You will likely not notice this upon first viewing as the ‘laugh-your-ass-off’ factor is rather overwhelming. But the purely technical second viewing of ‘Two Tars’ will undoubtedly prove that slapstick-comedy filmmakers were the true giants of the era. And how that final shot–cars/locomotive/tunnel–was made is beyond comprehension. By the way, the two locations ‘Two Tars’ was shot at are in a very pre-developed Santa Monica. The opening scenes were shot on the 3800 block^[1] of Main Street in Culver City, and the car battle scenes were filmed along what is now Centinela Avenue, adjacent to where the Santa Monica Airport now stands. Santa Monica Airport was once called ‘Clover Field’. Thus it had two names…