Your favourite Buster Keaton films?

Buster Keaton is not only my favorite Silent comedian but one of the best comedy stars of the 20th century. It is truly fascinating how his work does not seem to age like most of the other Silent comedians of his time.

I wonder why this is? Like Laural and Hardy there seems to be both an innocence and a timeless self-awareness to their art. I think that is the secret- he was creating more than comedy but works of Art. 'The General' comes to mind as a truly great picture, acting, cinema-photography, directing, comedy, endless inventiveness.

But an interesting question would be. "What Buster Keaton movies did you not like." As so far, I have only come across one very boring one (for me anyways).

That would be the early short 'One Week' (1920) that was rather pedestrian and a little rough around the edges.

Would only add:

Steamboat Bill Jr

Because I really dig the storm sequence. I just saw a version of the house falling down with the open window around Fatty Arbuckle in 'Backstage' (1919)

I wonder if this was the first time this falling house scene was filmed?

As misspaddylee has succinctly said before:

Buster!!

Anything with Buster Keaton is certainly worth a look even "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" I tend to like "The General" best of all.

You may or may not be aware of a colour short he made in 1965 for The National Film Board of Canada called "The Railrodder" where he travels across Canada (no mean feat) on a railway hand car. If you haven't seen it look it up it's hilarious. In connection with that film the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) produced a "making of" one hour documentary where Keaton is interviewed at length by film maker Fletcher Markle on his career and shows behind the scenes in the making of "The Railrodder".

I simply adore The Cameraman. Our Hospitality, Sherlock Jr., The General, Steamboat Bill Jr. and Spite Marriage are also favourites. Neighbors is a short that I'm very fond of: http://www.caftanwoman.com/2015/02/the-first-annual-buster-keaton.html





"Ain't it funny how coffee never tastes as good as it smells?"

Thanks so much for the recommendation of The Raildodder bsmith5552. Never heard of it, I'll take a look for it. Always on the lookout for anything from Buster that I haven't seen.



Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

Thanks so much for sharing your blog about Neighbors paddy. I haven't seen that one. Another added to the ever growing to watch list.



Go to bed Frank or this is going to get ugly .

Short films: 'The Boat,' 'One Week.'
Features: 'Steamboat Bill Jr,' 'The Navigator.'

- HOW kin I be so brainless, when I is so smart?

As for features: Sherlock Jr., Steamboat Bill Jr., The General, Our Hospitality and Seven Chances are all amazing. I like the other 2 big ones (The Cameraman and The Navigator) only a little less.

Cops is my favorite among his shorts.

Also Film from 1965 might be worth a look. It's more of a Samuel Becket film I'd say and it's no comedy at all but it's still really interesting.