He has rescued many silent films and their history. The cameraman 1928, spite marriage 1929, free and easy 1930 and so funny it hurt. On october 4, 1895, buster the great stone face keaton was born as joseph frank keaton, in piqua, kansasthe small town where his mother, a. Buster keaton full list of movies and tv shows in theaters, in production and upcoming films. His films for mgm, educational pictures, and columbia. Just five years later he had lost both that career and his family, and was unemployable. In the earliest days on stage, they traveled with a medicine show that included family friend, illusionist harry. The actors would phonetically memorize the foreignlanguage scripts a few lines at a time and shoot immediately after. The most famous gag in the movie took him all of five minutes to devise.
In the words of avenue q, everybodys a little bit racist. Joe and myra were vaudevillian comedians with a popular, everchanging variety act, giving keaton an eclectic and interesting upbringing. 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. Buster keaton is at the peak of his slapstick powers in the cameramanthe first film that the silentscreen legend made after signing with mgm, and his last great masterpiece. Cameraman 1928, in which buster signs onto the mgm newsreels crew to get close to. Jean harlow was the top blonde of the 1930s, and even though she didnt survive the decade she died in 1937 at the age of 26 shed inspire a generation of wouldbe platinumhaired bombshell stars. 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. So so documentary about buster keaton s careerending stint at mgm. Dec 07, 2004 directed by christopher bird, kevin brownlow. So funny it hurt, with keaton complaining about having to shoot lousy films not just once, but three times. 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.
He was basically bewildered at how such bad films as his early talkies were such. Buster keaton was the victim of child abuse by his father, joe keaton. Release dates 1 also known as aka 0 release dates usa 7 december 2004. Iconic film distributor criterion has announced its full lineup of titles set to hit shelves on bluray in june, which includes the buster keaton classic the cameraman, paul mazurskys an unmarried woman and more, as well as a special sale on all current and upcoming titles through the end of april. Filled with stories about his childhood in vaudeville where, billed as the human mop, he was slammed on the floor, hurled into wings, banged on the bass drumby his father. Keaton s autobiography, my wonderful world of slapstick, is our only record of the quirky mind behind the stoic face. The motion picture camera 1979, a documentary by a. I was already aware of the professional strife that buster keaton endured during his 5 years at m. Movie database speak easily is available for free download at the internet archive.
Keaton in conversation with studs turkel, september 1960. 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. This interest grew into a career spent documenting and restoring film. Photoplay productions is an independent film company, based in the uk, under the direction of kevin brownlow and patrick stanbury. Joseph frank keaton was born on october 4, 1895 in piqua, kansas, to joe keaton and myra keaton.
His films contain some great stunts and clever visual humor. Controversial classic gets a definitive new restoration article by patrick stanbury at. Buster keaton il maniscalco cortometraggio 1922 youtube. None of the biographical material ive read has ever remarked on it, so i dont think so.
Criterion unveils june 2020 titles and special sale. This episode includes clips of keaton speaking, found at the following two sources. 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. 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. He was basically bewildered at how such bad films as his early talkies were such a success at the. Buster keaton and mgm ties everything together and even has footage of keaton himself talking about his decline at mgm. Actor james mason, currently living in keatons former home, the italian villa. The child abuse myth is one of the most persistent and pernicious myths about buster keaton. The writer, director and star of silent film comedies, keaton is considered one of the greatest comic actors of all time. This film illustrates the work and contributions of marceline day, a star of silent hall of fame. The selfdestruction of buster keaton factors which led to.
Buster keaton was arguably at his lowest ebb, yet despite this he remained a master of trickery, and consummate professional. In 1928 when he joined mgm, buster keaton, one of the screens greatest comedians and also a remarkable filmmaker, was at the peak of his career. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic. Buster keaton so funny video must watch this video. Buster keaton biography 2017 facts, childhood, wiki. One need only a cursory familiarity with the work of keaton to know that his. Silent comic buster keaton s 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. Joseph frank keaton october 4, 1895 february 1, 1966, known professionally as buster. The final work over which he maintained creative control, this clever farce is the culmination of an extraordinary, decadelong run that. A turner classic movies tcm documentary about keatons discontented relationship with mgm and the. I liked this, as it helped to explain how a man who was one of the greatest silent comedians became a hasbeen so quickly. Buster keaton family, childhood, life achievements, facts, wiki and bio of 2017. American epic 2004 the tramp and the dictator 2002 lon chaney.
Mar 04, 2011 the actors would phonetically memorize the foreignlanguage scripts a few lines at time and shoot immediately after. This was a very good overview of keatons career at the time he made these films. Search, discover and share your favorite so funny it hurt buster keaton and mgm gifs. Mgm decided to use her in a movie with buster keaton. Roscoe arbuckle 24 maart 1887 29 junie 1933 was n amerikaanse akteur, regisseur, en skrywer. Kevin brownlow born 2 june 1938 is a british film historian, television documentarymaker, filmmaker, author, and film editor. The general is a 1926 american silent comedy film released by united artists inspired by the great. Buster keaton list of movies and tv shows tv guide. His films for mgm, educational pictures, and columbia plus. A documentary which explores movie comedian buster keaton s five years under contract at mgm, where personal problems and studio tyranny nearly destroyed him. So funny it hurt, with keaton complaining about having to shoot lousy movies not just once, but three times. Actor james mason, currently living in keatons former home, the italian villa, had just. Also known as aka it looks like we dont have any akas for this title yet.
Brownlow became interested in silent film at the age of eleven. Suomi francais bahasa indonesia italiano portugues. 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. Neibaur movie classic article about keatons kidnapping scandal. Buster keaton and mgm, by kevin brownlow, a coproduction with turner classic movies. Porky pig running up and down the stairs is exactly the same as buster keaton in the cameraman.
This is discussed in the tcm documentary buster keaton. Keatons italian villa can be seen in keatons film parlor, bedroom and bath. During that time, buster made 10 films for the studio. Is one of the few independent companies to operate in the revival of interest in the lost world of silent cinema and has been recognised as a driving force in the subject in 2010, photoplay productions was the recipient of the silent film festival award. 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. Keaton was so demoralized during the production of 1933s what. 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. This documentary focuses upon the comedians life and career from 1928 til 1933. 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. A turner classic movies tcm documentary about keaton s rocky relationship with mgm and the events that eventually led to his career downfall. The narrative repetitively conveys the message that the studio did not use keaton in the best way and thereby destroyed him. 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.
Download the tv guide app for iphone, ipad and android. Nov 22, 2009 buster keaton was a popular comedian in the era of silent comedies in the 1920s. Buster keaton birth chart horoscope, date of birth, astro. Joseph frank buster keaton was an american actor, director, producer, writer, and stunt performer. In the fall of 1995 eleanor norris keaton will come to kansas to celebrate the 100th. This gives a surface wash to keaton s alcoholism, marital problems, and frustration with the sound era and the studios demands. Buster keaton collection the cameraman spite marriage. 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.
Buster keaton 4 oktober 1895 1 februarie 1966 was n amerikaanse akteur, skrywer, en regisseur. Juni 1938 in crowborough, sussex ist ein britischer filmhistoriker. This watershed period in keaton s life is the basis for film historian kevin brownlows poignant new documentary so funny it hurts. Lets take a look at two of his popular stunts that nearly cost him. Brownlow is best known for his work documenting the history of the silent era. Buster keaton starred in the film and codirected it with clyde bruckman. Buster worked occasionally on the mgm writing staff at that time and was. Buster, employed by mgm as a roving gag man, was called to the set, looked at the set up, and came up with the idea of removing the door hinges and letting the dog in as aubrey got out. Buster keaton and mgm 2004 this must see documentary on buster keaton s time at mgm is like having the story told to you by a good friend. Apr 24, 20 famous comedian buster keaton performed so many dangerous stunts himself that in some cases, he could have got himself killed. Buster keaton 18951966 began appearing in his parents acrobatic act, the three keatons, when he was three. A turner classic movies tcm documentary about keaton s discontented relationship with mgm and the events that eventually led to his career downfall.
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