Buster Keaton is hysterical!

[mightyjack]

His movie "the General" is one of my favorite films of all time and I love "Steamboat Bill". But one I've always wanted to see but never have, is "Sherlock Jr." - Well, I found it at the library and checked it out.

Great - hysterical, what else can I say. The timing that had to go into the stunts, the dangers (I remember a wonderful PBS special on the man, and they said he was hurt during the making of Sherlock Jr. The water spout scene)

Of the silent screen comics, I know Chaplin gets most of the attention, but I find Keaton to be funnier (with less sappyness).

The copy I watched had a terrible score but it couldn't distract from Buster. The part where he walks into the movie and the scenes keep changing on him? Classic! And knowing they didn't have the FX abilities we have today, makes it all the more amazing.

The DVD also has "Our Hospitality" on it, can't wait to see that tomorrow. If you've never watched a Buster Keaton film you're missing out. They are a blast.

[Poe33]

MightyJack said:

If you've never watched a Buster Keaton film you're missing out. They are a blast.

Totally agree. He is a hoot...way ahead of his time.

[Blurryeye]

I just saw a little 5-minute feature the other day on TCM where Johnny Depp talks about Charlie Chaplin. There was something very interesting that he pointed out about Chaplin that just as easily applies to Keaton.

He said that today most movie stars, comedic and otherwise, are very dependent on close-ups. Without the close-up, they wouldn't be stars because they don't have a lot of physical range. Back in the day, all of the scenes were shot with a wide-angle lens. So Chaplin and Keaton had a huge challenge to overcome the distance and range of the wide-angle shot, and pushed their physical capabilities to the limit. They exhibited a comic genius that most actors don't even attempt to achieve today.

[yousonuva]

I grew up watching the General and love that movie. How come it's so hard nowadays to make a good film?

Yes. TMC is the greatest f***ing channel on cable (or anywhere else). This month they've been celebrating Charlie Chaplin (this Wednesday night at 8:00 is the last one so watch a genius at work) with movies, interviews and documentaries. I was gonna start a thread like this last week when they showed The Gold Rush, but chickened out.

Last night they showed City Lights, which I haven't seen in years. My god that is the most heartwrenching, sweetest ending in a movie I think I've ever seen. The way it leaves you in that elevated enthusiasm and just fades out right at the perfect moment. I had a lump in my throat....eruh-achem let's go Packers...alright!