Like a cat, buster needed to become adept at taking falls, relaxing and tumbling into them, or risk broken bones or worse. A suitcase handle was sewn onto busters back so he could be easily picked up and thrown. This was a very good overview of keatons career at the time he made these films. This channel is dedicated to the genius of buster keaton and family. Why buster keaton remains the king of comedy film the. And nearly 100 years after he first appeared onscreen, were still learning from him. The motion picture camera 1979, a documentary by a. Its something of a unique look at keaton in the sense his silent masterpieces are barely, if ever, mentioned.
The general, perhaps the greatest film ever made, and 20. He is seen here with his parents joe and myra with whom he performed from the age of three in the vaudeville. Buster keaton running from the police in cops 1922 keaton. A turner classic movies tcm documentary about keatons rocky relationship with mgm and the events that eventually led to his career downfall. Slarek has spent the last week with the widest of appreciative smiles on his face. This gives a surface wash to keatons alcoholism, marital problems, and frustration with the sound era and the studios demands. It utilised some incredible stunts and good comical tricks, but i find it rather distasteful to make a comedy about the civil war. Each world has more than 20 groups with 5 puzzles each.
His father, joe keaton v, is evidently the source of the middle name as francis after a falling out with his fatherinlaw. They used a technique called undercranking so the car wasnt going quite as fast as it. A turner classic movies tcm documentary about keatons discontented relationship with mgm and the. This film illustrates the work and contributions of marceline day, a star of silent hall of fame. Dec 07, 2004 directed by christopher bird, kevin brownlow. Unlike some of the more well known interviews with him from the jazz age those published in buster keaton. Lets take a look at two of his popular stunts that nearly cost him. Neibaur movie classic article about keatons kidnapping scandal. Most of so funny it hurt is narrated by keaton himself, via interviews he filmed in the last years of his life when hed become a respected elder statesman of comedy, which are fascinating not only in his comments about what happened to him but also his bitching about other comedians he regarded the marx brothers as irresponsible and abbott and costello as just lazy, including the ones he wrote gags for when mgm rehired him to write for other performers in the 1940s. A turner classic movies tcm documentary about keatons discontented relationship with mgm and the events that eventually led to his career downfall. Pages public figure chaplin laughing world videos buster keaton so funny video must watch this video. Buster keaton arrives at metrogoldwynmayer studios with two large bags of his comic ideas 1921. It was released on april 21, 1957, by paramount pictures. The film stars donald oconnor, ann blyth, rhonda fleming, peter lorre, larry keating and jackie coogan.
Buster keaton, the great comic actor of the silent era, was born on this day in 1895. This is one of the most fantastic interviews ive seen with the twentysomething keaton. Criterion unveils june 2020 titles and special sale. The selfdestruction of buster keaton factors which led to. So so documentary about buster keaton s careerending stint at mgm. It is considered by fans and critics to be keaton still in top form, and it was added to the national film registry in 2005 as being deemed. Keaton was so demoralized during the production of 1933s what. It has many crosswords divided into different worlds and groups.
Apr 24, 20 famous comedian buster keaton performed so many dangerous stunts himself that in some cases, he could have got himself killed. The documentary chronicles the comedians mgm period, and features fascinating rare footage, including archival interviews with the master himself. A documentary which explores movie comedian buster keaton s five years under contract at mgm, where personal problems and studio tyranny nearly destroyed him. When it comes to comedy in film, buster keaton stands. His films for mgm, educational pictures, and columbia. The goat is pretty much packed with quality keaton gags. Buster keaton the complete short films 19171923 bluray. Narrated by james karen in the style of a friend telling a friend, the keaton time at mgm, and indeed his whole career comes alive in ways i never expected. This is the scene that comes immediately before the elevator scene, for example. The twilight zone, episode once upon a time 1961 as woodrow mulligan the janitor.
Provided to youtube by cdbaby buster keaton black irish band american legends. Planet earth, under the sea, inventions, seasons, circus. So funny it hurt, with keaton complaining about having to shoot lousy films not just once, but three times. Interviews, up for free viewing in the great taylorogy site, and circulating in various biographies, this one was not taken while keaton. A documentary which explores movie comedian buster keatons five years under contract at mgm, where personal problems and studio tyranny nearly destroyed him. Ive always wondered if a lot of the gags in looney toons were deliberate homages to buster keaton. The narrative repetitively conveys the message that the studio. In keatons time, a man being sensitive and in touch with his feelings was not an attractive trait, his films gave his emotions and outlet. Buster keaton and the hard work of failure silver screenings. Buster keaton 4 oktober 1895 1 februarie 1966 was n amerikaanse akteur, skrywer, en regisseur. Italys cineteca di bologna to restore all of buster. Starting out buster keaton was working in vaudeville when he was discovered by famed movie comedian roscoe fatty arbuckle. A turner classic movies tcm documentary about keaton s discontented relationship with mgm and the events that eventually led to his career downfall.
Buster keaton at mgm, completing a dvd collection which offers keen insight into what makes keaton s unique style of comedy hilarious, moving and timeless. The devil to pay, buster keaton 1960 milky way, buster keaton tv commercial 1961. There are tons more examples of buster keaton making us laugh and watch in wonderment. This transformation is clearly shown in the new photoplay productions documentary so funny it hurt. Joe keaton myra keaton joseph frank buster keaton october 4, 1895 februar 1, 1966 1 wis an american actor, director, producer, writer, an stunt performer. As in tcm archives earlier offering of lon chaney films, this is a first class presentation with quality packaging and loads of bonus material.
Buster as a teen and already sporting a porkpie hat. Keaton was so depleted during the production of 1933s what. The actors would phonetically memorize the foreignlanguage scripts a few lines at time and shoot immediately after. Buster keaton and mgm 2004 this must see documentary on buster keatons time at mgm is like having the story told to you by a good friend. Sep 27, 2018 in the so funny it hurt documentary for tcm, it was revealed he channeled harry houdini to slip out of a straitjacket. 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. Buster keaton did his own stunts, which included working. See more ideas about silent film, comedians and silent film stars. Keaton was briefly institutionalized, according to the turner classic movies documentary so funny it hurt. 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.
Beautiful video keaton could really show what he was feeling with those beautiful eyes of his that were truly a window to the soul. I liked this, as it helped to explain how a man who was one of the greatest silent comedians became a hasbeen so quickly. Busters middle name was frank, after his maternal grandfather. Youll also find audio commentary tracks, so this is quite a loaded release. The comedy legend of buster keaton lives on in his most hilarious work. Buster keaton 18951966 began appearing in his parents acrobatic act, the three keatons, when he was three. Im breaking my no dupes rule but this is a really excellent, hires enlargement of the group photo. Other silent actors might mug to get a point across, but keaton remained observant and collected. In this case, buster keaton s early successes are only briefly mentioned and the gist of the film is how keaton and especially mgm ruined his career. The writer, director and star of silent film comedies, keaton is considered one of the greatest comic actors of all time. This is discussed in the tcm documentary buster keaton. Film and notfilm showcase the collaboration of buster keaton and samuel beckett beckett wrote the screenplay for only one film, a 1965 silent short starring keaton.
The child abuse myth is one of the most persistent and pernicious myths about buster keaton. Tcm silent stars of the month week 4 4of6 so funny it hurt. Famous comedian buster keaton performed so many dangerous stunts himself that in some cases, he could have got himself killed. This watershed period in keaton s life is the basis for film historian kevin brownlows poignant new documentary so funny it hurts. The actors would phonetically memorize the foreignlanguage scripts a few lines at a time and shoot immediately after. Buster keaton at mgm which rounds out this 2 dvd set. The final work over which he maintained creative control, this clever farce is the culmination. Search, discover and share your favorite so funny it hurt buster keaton and mgm gifs. His films contain some great stunts and clever visual humor. Mar 04, 2011 the actors would phonetically memorize the foreignlanguage scripts a few lines at time and shoot immediately after.
He escaped a straitjacket with tricks learned from harry houdini. Keaton regularly chucked the little guy into the orchestra just for laughs. Buster keaton was the victim of child abuse by his father, joe keaton. Before edgar wright and wes anderson, before chuck jones and jackie chan, there was buster keaton, one of the founding fathers of visual comedy.
Buster keaton and mgm, by kevin brownlow, a coproduction with turner classic movies. The cameraman 1928, spite marriage 1929, free and easy 1930 and so funny it hurt. Buster keaton running from the police in cops 1922. Buster keaton so funny video must watch this video. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Soso documentary about buster keatons careerending stint at mgm. The cameraman was keatons first film with metrogoldwynmayer. Buster would later say signing with mgm was the worst mistake he made in his life. Keaton in conversation with studs turkel, september 1960. The big guy come crashing through the door chasing buster. Film and notfilm showcase the collaboration of buster. Buster keaton at mgm 2004 buster keaton was convinced by those around him to break with independent film production and sign as a contract star with metrogoldwynmayer early in 1928. Buster keaton collection 2 dvd from amazons movies store.
The film was described by allmovie as sublimely inaccurate regarding details of keatons life. Tcm silent stars of the month week 4 4of6 so funny it hurt buster keaton and mgm intro. A nontraditional documentary exploring buster keatons enduring legacy in cinema. The cameraman was the first film of buster keaton after he signed a contract with mgm, and before the studio was able to stifle his unique creativity and effectively grind his career to a halt. In the footsteps of buster keaton tracking down the actors film locations is a fascinating feat of detective work keaton and company first utilized neighboring towns such as chatsworth, burbank. Although his series never disappoints, this particular installment may be one of tonys best, taking you inside the comedic gags of buster keaton, a founding father of visual comedy. Theres no doubt that the familys vaudeville act was a rough one, often called the roughest act in vaudeville, and buster was often referred to as the human mop. This edition supplies not only the three films in brand new treatments, but a excellent documentary by kevin brownlow, titled so funny it hurt. These 21 films will give you a thorough primer on the joy of silent comedy as perfected by buster keaton, in eberts words not the great stone face so much as a man who kept his composure in the center of chaos. This episode includes clips of keaton speaking, found at the following two sources.
The buster keaton story is a 1957 american drama film directed by sidney sheldon and written by sidney sheldon and robert smith. The picture stars buster keaton, marceline day, harold goodwin, and others. Buster keaton did his own stunts, which included working with samuel beckett director ross lipman introduces screenings at music box and university of chicago. Silent comic buster keatons successes and struggles to fulfill his own hollywood dream are expertly depicted in a new, original documentary by legendary filmmaker kevin brownlow, so funny it hurt. So funny it hurt, with keaton complaining about having to shoot lousy movies not just once, but three times.
Tony zhous video essay series, every frame a painting, returns with buster keaton. A turner classic movies tcm documentary about keaton s rocky relationship with mgm and the events that eventually led to his career downfall. Thus while buster was the sixth joseph keaton in that family line, he was not the sixth joseph frank or joseph francis keaton. Also includes introduction by robert osborne, commentary on the cameraman by glenn mitchell, commentary on spite marriage by john bengtson and jeffrey vance, photo montages on the two silent films, and a new documentary, so funny it hurt. Nov 22, 2009 buster keaton was a popular comedian in the era of silent comedies in the 1920s. This gives a surface wash to keaton s alcoholism, marital problems, and frustration with the sound era and the studios demands.