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I believe Buster Keaton is the greatest film comedian, actor, director and stuntman... ever! He made films over 75 years ago that continue to influence Hollywood film-makers and actors today. For other fans, I have a constantly growing Keaton photo gallery. I would love to devote an entire site to this man myself, but there are several good ones out there already and I would prefer to spend what free time I do have watching his movies. Need more Keaton stuff... Join The Damfinos! The Damfinos is the International Buster Keaton Society. For just $15.00 a year, you get their quarterly newsletter, The Keaton Chronicle, filled with stories, photos, reports from Keaton conventions, interviews with his friends and relatives, video and film reviews...tons of great Keaton stuff! The Damfino's web site is here. Must-See Keaton Movies The Cameraman- Probably my favorite Keaton film. It's got some very, very funny scenes, and also some very romantic scenes. This is classic Keaton, in his prime. It's a film about a cameraman, and accordingly, the camera work is wonderful. . Remember, these films were made 70 years ago. Seven Chances- Another romantic one. Keaton was the master of the romantic comedy, before there was such a thing. Also some great stunt work towards the end when Buster tumbles down a mountain causing a boulder avalanche, which he winds up in the middle of. The 1999 movie, The Bachelor, starring Chris O'Donnell is a re-make of Seven Chances. I never saw it and I don't know if I want to. Steamboat Bill, Jr.- Kind of slow at parts, but with laughs. The last 20 minutes, though, are pure action movie. Keaton pulls off stunt after stunt after stunt. Also has the famous scene of the front of a house falling down around him. Yes, it was real. I've seen this movie three times on the big screen with live music by The Alloy Orchestra. Very cool. Sherlock Jr.- The cool and trippy concept of a person jumping from a theater onto a movie screen and getting into a film is carried out in Sherlock Jr. Amazing camera work. Funny gags. And this film inspired Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo. The General- Noted to be Keaton's favorite. People have called it his masterpiece. It is basically a giant chase scene between two trains, based on a true episode that happened in the Civil War. There are some really elaborate stunts and gags in this film, and some amazing moving camera work. This is usually the first Keaton film everyone sees because it is his most famous. I recommend seeing any of these others first. Once you understand a bit about Keaton, you can really appreciate The General. |
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