Saw the restored version at MoMA last night

A major retrospective of films directed (or supervised) by Leo McCarey has begun at the Museum of Modern Art, and will continue for the next couple of weeks. Last night was the kickoff, featuring several silent comedies McCarey worked on at the Hal Roach Studio during 1926-7. And the highlight of the evening was the newly restored Battle of the Century. At long last, reel two is complete! And well worth the wait. Now, at last, we can see the build-up to the famous pie fight. Much of it involves Ollie trying to trick Stan into tripping on a banana peel. Instead, Charlie Hall takes the tumble, and the battle is on.

The brief scene at the end of reel 1 with Eugene Pallette as the insurance agent is still missing, but Pallette returns during the pie fight and has a great comic bit.

What a treat! I hope this restored version becomes more widely available -- it's magnificent.