Apart from The movies of Monty Python, i think that this is the funnyist movie ever! Its so great! I like the place where the woman takes a piece of wood, and then throws it away, because it has a hole in it, it was precieus! Am i the only fan of this movie, and Buster Keaton? Alezais!
You know, you aren't the only one. I absolutely love this movie. I watch it at every chance I get. Although, I don't know if you're familiar with Harold Lloyd. Are you? I think his films are even better, funnier and more satisfying. But Keaton is a total genius. It's a dang shame that nobody seems to know who he is these days.
"If you loose this war, don't blame me!" - Buster
[deleted]
Buster Keaton is a comedic genius!!!! Along with this masterpiece, Keaton had numerous other hilarious films such as: Sherlock, Jr. , The Navigator, Steamboat Bill Jr., Seven Chances, The Three Ages, etc.
This movie is extremely funny, but I like Sherlock Jr. slightly better.
one of the greatest ever, not just the silent era.
share"But Keaton is a total genius. It's a dang shame that nobody seems to know who he is these days."
That's why we should be showing these incredible films to our children, nieces, nephews, and so forth. I got so hooked on "The General" that I showed it to my fourth grade class...they were captivated by it from the start!
I agree with you on both points (Python movies and The General). Buster's use of the trains as comic props is nothing short of brilliant. My favorite part is when Buster falls off the train and can't get back on because the woman keeps moving the train backward and forward looking for him. Hilarious!
shareI saw this movie last night for the first time accompanied by a live band, and I thought it was amazing. In my opinion it is the funniest Buster Keaton I have seen (although I haven't seen the ones other people have quoted as the funniest)
Best 'stupid woman on train' comedy I have seen.
Hello Buster Keaton fans out there.
I'm a BK fan from The Netherlands.
There's one thing that makes me sad about most DVD releases from BK movies.
There are almost no Digitally Remastered versions of his classics ( I have The General on DVD but it looks worse than video image, toooo soft )
They are giving Chaplin the "Make Over" treatment.
Why not Buster?
I'd like to know, who agrees with me.
I would DEFINATELY buy all BK movies if they were Digitally Remastered (I buy them anyway, but the 'quality' saddens me, I know these are old movies but look at what they can do with old material nowadays!)
SUPPORT BUSTER'S LEGACY!
GREETINGS Elwin Rijken
Buster Keaton IS a genius. I like Chaplin better, ONLY because I know more about him and I have seen more of his stuff, but I think a few years from now, when I get more educated on Buster Keaton, it might be a tie between the two legends. Everything you all have posted above me I agree with, for the most part. Although, elman, I have the 2003 release of the double-feature of The General and Steamboat Bill Jr.- and they look awesome! VERY GOOD QUALITY!!!
Charlie Chaplin RULES!
[deleted]
I am also a huge fan of Keaton, as well as Chaplin and Harold Lloyd. One of the main reason's that Chaplin's films are in such wonderful condition is because in later years he brought most of his features and some of his 3 reelers back out to theatres for re-release, after adding music, doing some editing, etc...
for example "The Gold Rush" was re-issued in 1942 by Chaplin himself after he re-edited it from 82 to 72min., added narration (himself) in place of title cards, and adding music that he "composed". I have seen the original 1925 version and it is in pretty rough shape compared to the 1942 re-issue (although some still favor the original). "The Circus" (1928) was re-issued by Chaplin in 1969 where he replaced the original credits with Merna Kennedy swinging on a trapeze while he sings a song. Chaplin also released "The Chaplin Revue" in 1959 which contains 3 of his greatest 3 reelers; "A Dogs Life", "Shoulder Arms"
(both from 1918) & "The Pilgrim" (1923), with original scores that Chaplin wrote himself and a little narration between the shorts.
I believe that because Chaplin had pretty much complete control and ownership of his films that he was able to insure that they were preserved in the best possible ways. After all he did write, direct, star, edit, and later wrote the music to all his films, begining with his 3 reelers.
As far as Buster Keaton goes, he was a genious of a different type. My favorite Keaton films are "Steamboat Bill Jr.", "The General" and "Sherlock Jr." all of which are preserved nicely, with various scores available (I like the "Alloy Orchestra"). I also love "The Cameraman" (1928), which was almost lost forever until a print was found in Paris in 1968, and a master copy of almost the entire film was found in 1991. The quality varies throughout the film, the best being that obtained from the master copy. I have only seen about half of his features so I can't give my take on them, yet!
If anyones interested in more details of Chaplins re-issues, just look under alternate versions & trivia on any of his features.
Oh, Kino released a 2 disc ultimate edition of "THE GENERAL" this year (2009), newly mastered from a 35mm archive print from the original camera negative, and includes 3 musical scores in 5.1 stereo surround or 2.0 stereo, and lots of extras. I haven't seen it but do own several Kino releases and they are known for their quality prints, especially from the silent era! www.kino.com
Sorry for ramblin' on so long, not sure if I answered any questions, nice to share with some European Keaton/Chaplin fans!
Gary (Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.)
"ASA NISI MASA"
No you are not the only one! I was lucky enough to watch an 8 movie retrospective of Buster Keaton at our local specialty oldies theater, and was totally blown away by his movies. An absolute comic genius, and I only wish that the movies of the silent era were easier to find. I look at the listings for famous silent screen stars, and there are hundreds, if not thousands of one and two reelers streching back to the beginning. I wonder how many of these still have existing copies. It is unfortunate that the techniques for preserving movies that we have now, did not exist back then.
share[deleted]
Very, Very good list. I must say though, what about Safety Last!
shareThe piano score on this film is a work of genius. He was obviously a student of French impressionism but was a totally original artist in his own right. Hollywood could never make a work of art such as this again. Oddly enough, the pianist isn't credited with any other movie work again (according to imdb.com) until he produced A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court in the 70s, a very strange career.
The score was probably written and recorded in the 1970s. Most films of the 1920s don't have any recorded scores because the accompaniment was live. A handful had sound-on-disc scores in the late era as sound was coming in, simply as a convenience. THE GENERAL was not one of them.
The original score to THE GENERAL has (somewhat thankfully) never been recorded and released on disc.
-J. Theakston
The Silent Photoplayer
http://www.geocities.com/tomservorobot/
Oh, i loved the wood bit too- when she chucked it away cos it had a hole! And then she started sweeping! Lol
A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste
And...
Deciding to 'help', he hands her a small piece of wood, she chucks it into the boiler in satisfaction, he gets infuriated, then kisses her after a bit....just great.
And...
A cigar hole/burn in the tablecloth allows a glimpse of her as he lies under the table. His single eye viewing of her is rather poignant.
This has to be one of his funniest, but one of his films that is often overlooked is The Cameraman.
shareI also really love Charlie Chaplin's movies. But, this is a great movie.
Kat
When was the last time you heard these exact words: You are the sunshine of my life?
[deleted]