In 1861 on the eve of the civil war, against the breathtaking backdrop of mountains and pine forests in an extreme longshot, engineer johnnie gray buster keaton serves as the proud engineer in the cab of the western and atlantic flyer r. The general, with buster as a train engineer in the civil war, was always available, hailed as one of the supreme masterpieces of silent filmmaking. Why, joseph frank buster keatons 1926 the general, unsung in its day but heaped with critical acclaim ever since. Other silent actors might mug to get a point across, but keaton remained observant and collected. Keatons precise body comedy, coupled with his unconventional directorial decisions, suggests a new way of analyzing the film in terms of its visual elements as opposed to its narrative. A brief overview of buster keaton original story of the general release of the general accolades for the general trivia related to the general quotations about the general. Keaton held the film up to the light to edit it, rather than using a machine. Buster keatons masterpiece and one of the greatest silent movies of all time was filmed in the cottage grove area in the summer of 1926. Buster keaton and eddie clines the high sign 1921 is not only among keatons most breathlessly inventive tworeelers it is also, along with his nearly nihilistic cops 1922, among his most subversive, positing the clown not merely as an outsider but as a selfabsorbed deviant and unthinking lawbreaker.
Buster keatons the general follows the story of johnny gray, a simple train engineer operating his train the general during the onset of the civil war. Buster keaton on wagon train 58 mins an audio recording of a then 63 year old buster keaton in conversation with television writer bill cox. The mhm podcast network movie synopsis and film summary of the general 1926 directed by clyde bruckman and buster keaton, and starring buster keaton, marion mack, and glen cavender. The general is a civil war tale, the fictionalized account of an attempted hijacking of a confederate train called the general by union spies in 1862. Though its doubtful whether the success of the artist will actually bleed through into the industry itself and create more silent film, the interest in it is currently the highest its been for decades. Early in the film, keaton, dressed in his sunday best, walks to his girls house. Nov 10, 2002 the general, with buster as a train engineer in the civil war, was always available, hailed as one of the supreme masterpieces of silent filmmaking. The generals engineer, johnny grey keaton, spends the first half racing after iton foot, handcar, bicycle, and another trainand, once he has stolen it back, the second half in flight. Buster keaton about buster keaton american masters pbs. Sep 06, 2016 in the movie, a stubborn confederate train engineer named johnnie has his beloved locomotive, the general, stolen by union spies with his girlfriend on board. But other features and shorts existed in shabby, incomplete prints, if at all, and it was only in the 1960s that film historians began to assemble and restore keatons lifework. It is also one of the finest, and has appeared on many 10bestfilms lists. Andrew pulver recommends buster keatons 1926 silent actioncomedy film, the general.
The train scene from buster keatons the general is the. Not only has keaton influenced many of the worlds greatest filmmakers, but some of his techniques continue to be innovative and visually stunning to this day. Why, joseph frank buster keaton s 1926 the general, unsung in its day but heaped with critical acclaim ever since. The general tells the story of johnnie gray keaton, a tennessean railroad engineer who is pressured by his fiance, annabelle lee marion mack, to join the confederate army. The general keaton and clyde bruckman, 1926, which he considered his favourite, was keatons last independently produced film and in. Both were acquired by the buster keaton society, which will present the.
Preceding the show, these informational slides below prepared by the festivals artistic director anita monga, ran on a loop as people took their seats. This film exhibited how love for objects, people, and a cause can make people transcend what was thought to be humanly impossible. The general, american silent comedy film, released in 1927, starring and directed by comedian buster keaton, and cited by many film historians as one of the greatest american movies. Consider an opening sequence in the general 1927, his masterpiece about a southern railway engineer who has only two loves in his life his locomotive and the beautiful annabelle lee. A 1957 film biography, the buster keaton story, starring donald oconnor as keaton was released. It is set during the american civil war 186165 and highlights the theme of. Nov 30, 2015 in his short video essay, buster keatonthe art of the gag, tony zhou of every frame a painting explores keatons genius and his enduring legacy. He pursues them and his train into union territory, overhears a group of union generals planning an attack across a certain railroad bridge, and decides to repossess his train and bring it and his girlfriend back south. The general, perhaps the greatest film ever made, and 20.
I still believe i like you more than chaplin, and almost entirely because of this film. When union spies steal an engineers beloved locomotive, he pursues it singlehandedly and straight through enemy lines. Buster keaton, american film comedian and director, the great stone face, known for his deadpan expression and his imaginative and often elaborate visual comedy. Buster keaton was not the great stone face so much as a man who kept his composure in the center of chaos. How buster keaton filmed the general chaplinkeatonlloyd. Keatons masterpiece the general 1927 is one of my top five favorite films ever, and. The general 1926 directed by buster keaton, clyde bruckman. National catholic register arguably the greatest of buster keatons silent comedies, the general begins with a single, brilliantly sustained premise and works it into an engaging story that combines edgeofyourseat excitement, stunningly conceived stunts and sight gags, spectacular set pieces, touching sentiment, and a rousing finale. Nov 10, 2002 the greatest of the silent clowns is buster keaton, not only because of what he did, but because of how he did it. From nosferatu to the general why the 1920s is my favourite film decade chaplin and keaton made millions laugh, but silent cinemas greatest classics were the fruit of wild european fancy.
The wonderful gags of the founding father of visual comedy. Trying to enlist for the war effort, johnny is turned away, as train operators are more helpful for transporting supplies than firing cannons. The pioneering genius of buster keatons 1926 silent film the general now on. The story was adapted from the memoir the great locomotive chase by william pittenger. Buster keatons silence was golden the objective standard. This makes buster keatons use of the camera technique to create such amazing effects in sherlock jr. But other features and shorts existed in shabby, incomplete prints, if at all, and it was only in the 1960s that film historians began to assemble and restore keaton s lifework. Comedy incarnate explores the intricacies of buster keatons unique visual style to discover what provokes laughter in his timeless films, paying special attention to the general. The engineer, johnnie gray buster keaton gets down to oil around, and is observed by two admiring boys. Buster keaton, who produced and directed the film, plays johnnie gray, the engineer of the general, whose sweetheart annabelle lee, played by marion mack, rejects him when he fails to enlist in. In contrast to the social commentary evoked in chaplins the tramp, or reflected in the bespectacled character of harold lloyd, keaton was deemed as more of a generic. The general is by far the most famous of the comedy features in which buster keaton starred, and in several cases directed or codirected, between 1923 and 1928.
Buster keatons the general from 1926 was a silent film that hilariously displayed the idea of love verging on obsession. The train scene from buster keatons the general is the most expensive scene in silent film history. The general, as roger ebert describes it, is an epic of silent comedy, one of the most expensive films of its time, including an accurate historical recreation of a civil war episode, hundreds of extras, dangerous stunt. In september of 1925, one of buster keatons head gag writers, clyde bruckman, was doing some research on the civil war when he found a reprint of pittengers book which was retitled the great locomotive chase in 1893. In 1862, after spies steal his locomotive, the general, he wages a oneman battle to recover it. Apr 06, 2020 the general, american silent comedy film, released in 1927, starring and directed by comedian buster keaton, and cited by many film historians as one of the greatest american movies. Thats one reason his best movies have aged better than those of his rival, charlie chaplin. In the navigator 1924, keaton tamed an abandoned luxury liner and emerged. At the time of its initial release, the general, an actionadventurecomedy made toward the. The general buster keaton 1926 silent film is having something of a renaissance at the moment.
Keatons silent films are among the most important works in the development of american. Nov 08, 2018 the general is a civil war tale, the fictionalized account of an attempted hijacking of a confederate train called the general by union spies in 1862. In films such as the navigator 1924, the general 1926, and the cameraman 1928, keaton portrayed characters whose physical abilities. The civil war adventureepic classic was made toward the end of the silent era. The greatest of the silent clowns is buster keaton, not only because of what he did, but because of how he did it. Buster filmed the general on location in cottage grove oregon during the summer of 1926. Jun 22, 20 the general by buster keaton 1926 is a lighthearted comedy featuring buster keaton himself as the lovable johnny gray who has all the luck.
Sherlock jr 1924 jack avery throughout his cinematic career, buster keaton was never particularly considered to be a producer of films that were socially or politically engaged. Jul 14, 2014 every now and then on the criticwire network an older film gets singled out for attention. Johnny has only two loveshis locomotive and his girl, annabelle lee. It is set during the american civil war 186165 and highlights the theme of personal redemption. From major comic situations to throwaway gags, the general always knows what to do. Sep 26, 2014 i had the honor of introducing buster keaton s 1926 masterpiece the general at the san francisco silent film festivals inaugural a day of silents festival held in 2014. Buster keatons pioneering 1926 film, now rereleased, more or less invented the action movie and looks even more startling than ever. Why you really do need to see buster keatons the general.
The general tells the story of johnnie gray keaton, a tennessean railroad engineer who is pressured by his fiance, annabelle lee marion mack, to join the. I had the honor of introducing buster keatons 1926 masterpiece the general at the san francisco silent film festivals inaugural a day of silents festival held in 2014. Between 1920 and 1929, buster keaton created a peerless run of feature films that established him as arguably the greatest actordirector in the history of the movies. Almost certainly the funniest silent film ever made, buster keatons hurtling 1926 comedy about a civil war railroad engineer is. Of all the silent film comedians, keaton is by far my favorite and the one whose work holds up best today, i think. Reviews and tagged buster keaton, criticwire classics, silent film.
Buster keaton plays johnny gray, a southern railroad engineer who loves his train engine, the general, almost as much as he loves annabelle lee marion mack. Jun 23, 2012 the general buster keaton 1926 silent film is having something of a renaissance at the moment. The general buster keaton 1926 celluloid wicker man. How silent filmmaker buster keaton revolutionized film. Buster keaton was not the great stone face so much as a man who. The general, perhaps the greatest film ever made, and 20 other buster keaton classics free online. Buster keaton, who produced and directed the film, plays johnnie gray, the engineer of the general, whose. The general 1927 is an imaginative masterpiece of deadpan stoneface buster keaton comedy, generally regarded as one of the greatest of all silent comedies and keaton s own favorite and undoubtedly the best train film ever made.
With buster keaton, marion mack, glen cavender, jim farley. Joseph frank keaton october 4, 1895 february 1, 1966, known professionally as buster keaton, was an american actor, comedian, film director, producer, screenwriter, and stunt performer. In films that combined comedy with extraordinary physical risks, buster keaton played a brave spirit who. The general by buster keaton 1926 is a lighthearted comedy featuring buster keaton himself as the lovable johnny gray who has all the luck. The general buster keaton film analysis senses of cinema. The genius destroyed by hollywood 52 mins a documentary on keaton and his struggles working within the hollywood studio system. Apr 09, 2020 buster keaton, american film comedian and director, the great stone face, known for his deadpan expression and his imaginative and often elaborate visual comedy. The film stars buster keaton who codirected it with clyde bruckman. The general 1927 is an imaginative masterpiece of deadpan stoneface buster keaton comedy, generally regarded as one of the greatest of all silent comedies and keatons own favorite and undoubtedly the best train film ever made. It is an epic of silent comedy, one of the most expensive films of its time, including an accurate historical recreation of a civil war episode, hundreds of extras, dangerous stunt sequences, and.
Set during the american civil war, keaton plays the engineer of a steam locomotive stolen by union troops, who attempts to reclaim the train and thereby save the south. After making three features of a more modest scope, the general 1926 marked his. But his fame was revived in 1949 thanks to a feature article in life magazine, and he worked from then until his 1966 death in a variety of bit parts, including commercials, cameos, an episode of the twilight zone, and even an unfunny experimental film written by samuel beckett. Together they represent a true master at his peak, and the masters of cinema series is proud to present all three films from. Through close textual analysis, carroll opens up a wide expanse of historical and theoretical territory positioning the general in relation to the writings of merleauponty, bergson, and poulet, as well as to the films of chaplin, lloyd. Some of buster keatons great, deathdefying stunts captured. Keatons career fell into a slump after 1940, and he found himself assisting other comedians for low wages. Apr 04, 2018 from nosferatu to the general why the 1920s is my favourite film decade chaplin and keaton made millions laugh, but silent cinemas greatest classics were the fruit of wild european fancy. In his short video essay, buster keatonthe art of the gag, tony zhou of every frame a painting explores keatons genius and his enduring legacy. Hed been a feature film star for years, was at the top of his game, and was just 30 years old. That year, the seminal sciencefiction film metropolis, the first best picture winner sunrise, and the first talkie blockbuster the jazz singer were all released. The general is a 1926 american silent comedy film released by united artists. Why buster keatons the general is the one film you should.
Its principal comedy scene is built on that elementary bit, the chase, and you cant continue a fight for almost an hour and expect results. He fastidiously flicks dust from the ledge of the cab window, next to his assistant. Harold lloyd made us laugh as much, charlie chaplin moved us more deeply, but no one had more courage than buster. The screenplay, by sidney sheldon, who also directed the film, was loosely based on keaton s life but contained many factual errors and merged his three wives into one character.
He is unaware that two small boys are following him, marching in lockstepand that following them is annabelle lee herself marion mack. The general says, that bridge is not burned enough to stop you, and my men will ford the river. He seems like a modern visitor to the world of the silent clowns. Dedicated fans of silent film are quite few in number these days but such is the reputation of the general that it still has a chance of reaching the wider audience it deserves, especially in special screenings with live soundtracks. It was inspired by the great locomotive chase, a true story of an event that occurred during the american civil war. It has all of the slapstick, the physical comedy and characterisation you want, but theres something epic and astonishing about the stunts performed, especially given the era in which it was. Buster keatons the general, about a man and his engine, puts you in a world where the most comically inventive situation that could happen will happen. Silent film may or may not be your thing, but the work buster keaton demands to be seen, studied, and marveled at for its ingenuity. Arguably the greatest of buster keatons silent comedies, the general begins with a single, brilliantly sustained premise and works it into an engaging story that.
Jun 26, 2012 that film is the general, which consistently appears on critics polls as one of the greatest films ever made. The general is something else, a historical parody. Comedy incarnate is a brilliant, inventive and lucid examination of buster keatons the general. It is an epic of silent comedy, one of the most expensive films of its time, including an accurate historical recreation of a civil war episode, hundreds of extras, dangerous stunt sequences, and an actual locomotive falling from a burning bridge into a. When hollywoods history talks about handmade films, the general is a literal example. The texas proceeds onto the bridge, the span collapses, and the engine crashes into the river. Keaton, it seems, was always in control, not last because many of the stunts were his own inventions. The confederates surprise the union army, and a fight begins.
The general keaton and clyde bruckman, 1926, which he considered his favourite, was keatons last independently produced film and in many ways presents the apotheosis of his style. That film is the general, which consistently appears on critics polls as one of the greatest films ever made. The great classics josh jones is a writer and musician based in durham, nc. The copies previously uploaded here were either incomplete or too blurry. How silent filmmaker buster keaton revolutionized film comedy. Every now and then on the criticwire network an older film gets singled out for attention. He is unaware that two small boys are following him, marching in. Nov 18, 2008 the generals engineer, johnny grey keaton, spends the first half racing after iton foot, handcar, bicycle, and another trainand, once he has stolen it back, the second half in flight. Somebody could probably write a whole book on the physics of buster keaton, but i am just going to look at one stunt today. He is best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression that earned him the nickname the great stone face. How buster keaton filmed the general chaplinkeaton. Buster keatons pioneering 1926 film, now rereleased, more or less. Buster keaton 18951966 born joseph francis keaton american director, actor, screenwriter, and producer. He made numerous short films as well as such feature films as three ages, sherlock, jr.
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