MovieChat Forums > Sherlock Jr. (1924) Discussion > The most brilliant movie I have ever see...

The most brilliant movie I have ever seen

posted 20 years ago by alexthehamlin
17 replies | jump to latest

This film is truly brilliant. From beginning to end, I can't stop being fascinated by the amazing things that Buster Keaton does. After a film like this, I truly wonder why Keaton didn't replace Chaplin as the most famous silent film comedian.
The timing of this film has never been matched before it was made or since. The part where Buster is inside the film, and moving with each cut, was the best timing I have ever seen. And to think- This was over 50 years before the first computer was invented!
Also great timing was the part where he shadows his man, and the pool scene was spectacular.
The most common question as people watch this movie... "How did he do that?"

[–] CHARLIE-89 20 years ago

Indeed this is a brilliant piece of work. I personally think it was the ultimate Keaton "team" picture. Keaton was a team player and respected the contributions of his technicians. On this film, he had his best cameraman, Elgin Lessley (who single-handedly create the visual effects in the camera. To me, Lessley is the father of modern visual effects); his art director Fred Gabourie, who did much to contribute to the special sets that Keaton often required for certain stunt sequences; and he had his electrician Denver Harmon, who contributed massively to the technical aspects of the film. Keaton said that at his writing sessions, he would have his electrician sit it on the session and make suggestions. He valued the input from his creative team and was never too proud to share credit.

[–] khakisoul13 20 years ago

how do you comment on a movie like this? it just doesnt get any better.

buster keaton is the most brilliant film-maker in the history of cinema in my opinion. no one has ever made movies this entertaining. he is simply amazing. i cant talk anymore about it though, you just have to watch it for yourself, and youll understand.

its too bad he got signed (to mgm...i think) and lost all of his creative control. otherwise, he would have definitely outdone chaplin. maybe he would have even helped keep silent comedies going for another decade or so. who knows

[–] penguinpolish 20 years ago

I would have loved to see all the stuff he cut from the film, which I heard was a lot,

[–] alexthehamlin 20 years ago

He cut stuff from the film? I never heard that. It must be great stuff. Or else it's not, which may be one reason that he cut it out.

[–] fibermN 20 years ago

I saw this movie for the first time today.

After seeing Steamboat Bill Jr. last night and Sherlock Jr today I completely knocked out.

I will now have to start adding Keaton DVDs to my collection.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] ecjones1951 19 years ago

It's a real treat to show this to people who have never seen Keaton, or a silent movie, or don't even think they like black and white movies! I've "made" my brothers (who are a generation younger than I am) and a couple of contemporaries watch Sherlock, Jr. with me. Yes, they all say, "how did he do that?!" Over and over again.

The film is structured so that the big laughs alternate with jaw-dropping amazement. The dollar bill sequence is a riot, and so is the exploding cue ball scene, no matter how many times you've seen them. And it's no wonder Buster was asked a million times about how he did the sequence where he moves from seamlessly from one location to another. The sequence on the handlebars of the motorbike contains more gags than you can count, all of them so clever and so often copied people forget—if they ever knew—who originated them.

Parts of Sherlock, Jr. have influenced countless other films, of course. Woody Allen paid it the most famous homage in Purple Rose of Cairo. I guess this is my favorite Keaton… by now I think I have seen them all. Sherlock is sweet and sentimental, but at the same time a technological marvel.

[–] spiritink 20 years ago

I totally agree! This is one of Keaton's best. I've always favoured Keaton over Chaplin, but I adore them both.

I came to Keaton early. My parents are enormous fans and collectors of his films. They have a signed photograph hung in pride of place in their sitting room. They also recently visited his birthplace in Kansas. They sat me down in front of Buster's films when I was about four or five, and I loved every minute of them. My favourites as a child were The Navigator, Sherlock Jr. and The Balloonatic. Recently I saw Our Hospitality at a local cinema, with live piano accompaniment. Another incredible film.

If you're new to Buster and love Sherlock Jr., I highly recommend The Electric House. Full of trickery - Keaton at his best.

[–] bathtubhoax 19 years ago

I agree. I rate it as the most inventive, consistently brilliant movie I've ever seen. I don't think the cinema has has had a genius to outdo Keaton.

[–] tinkerchel 18 years ago

This movie takes me breath away. It was waaaay ahead of its time.
So does anyone know how he did it?

[–] BirdLover1 18 years ago

This is my favorite movie of all time. I have been a fan since I was a child and saw him in a documentary. I have all of his movies and even belonged to a silent film club once which showed silent films in a theatre setting with live music.

There are some good biographies about Keaton which discuss his techniques but I think the best one is by Marion Meade. It is called Cut to the Chase and was published in 1995. I don't know if it is still in print but it is an interesting book. Keaton had an interesting albeit sad life.

[–] teejay6682 18 years ago

it's pretty great. watched it again this weekend. brilliant.

[–] naillon-2 18 years ago

Surveyors' instruments were used for the scene where Keaton is cutting from scene to scene on the movie screen. This was necessary, to get the cuts right. If you want to see a great documentary, watch "Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow". It also relates how Keaton managed to have nine images of himself on the screen SIMULTANEOUSLY. The cameraman said it couldn't be done, but Keaton built a light-proof box with nine shutters on it. He exposed one strip of film at a time (showing himself on a stage), then rewound the film, closed the shutter, opened the next shutter, and repeated the process.

Buster Keaton was the single greatest genius Hollywood has ever seen, and ever will see. Comedian, acrobat, director, writer, actor, dancer - he could do it all. And "Sherlock Jr." was the pinnacle of his artistic success. I love him.

[–] UCHoodman 17 years ago

I must say that I too like him more than Chaplin, Chaplin is fun, but I think Keaton is fun and amazing, I'm in so much awe in what that little man can do.

[–] eyan_eyan2001 17 years ago

Sherlock Jr. is simply a work of Genious.
Everything we dream about movie you'll find in it.
Keaton difinately knew movie is our dream.
If i can bring one film with me to a deserted island,
Sherlock Jr.should be it.
I especially love the ending...it almost brings tears in my eys.

[–] marvel88 17 years ago

Buster Keaton really did seem invincible sometimes...like he could do anything and not get hurt. Hard to believe he broke his neck in this movie and didn't find out until years later. I loved the scene where he was playing pool.

"I know you're in there, Fagerstrom!"-Conan O'Brien

[–] rc-108 14 years ago

I agree....

the dream sequence... and movie in a movie..

wow...