The great stone face buster keaton

He performed with his mother and father in vaudeville at a very young age and had no formal education. In honor of the 124th birthday of the great stone face, we look back on keatons jewish influences and collaborators. There seems to be an almost universal tend ency to confuse buster keatons talents with those of his principal rivals in silent film. Until one summer morning in 2001, peter scolari couldnt find go west anywhere. Keatons beginnings on the vaudeville circuit are chronicled in the great buster, as is the development of his trademark physical comedy and deadpan expression that earned him the lifelong moniker of the great stone face, all of which led to his careerhigh years as the director, writer, producer and star of his own short films and. Jan 10, 2017 buster keaton was best known for his roles in silent films. Buster keaton was a master filmmaker and comic genius. His influence on physical comedy is rivaled only by charlie chaplin.

Keaton came to understand that the more seriously he played a comic scene, the bigger the laughs he got. For the low price, this is a great introduction to the comedy of buster keaton. They were popular, and contrary to keatons later reputation as the great stone face, he often smiled and even laughed in them. Born joseph frank keaton, one of the 20th centurys greatest comedians earned the name buster as a toddler while his parents toured the. He made numerous short films as well as such feature films as three ages, sherlock, jr. Peter bogdanovichs tribute to old stone face could use more of his spirit venice bogdanovich honors the.

Apr 06, 2020 the general, american silent comedy film, released in 1927, starring and directed by comedian buster keaton, and cited by many film historians as one of the greatest american movies. Keaton has been called the great stone face for his stoic. Hit on the face with a broom, he would wait five or six seconds without moving a facial muscle, and then say ouch. Army and was stationed in france during the first world war. Running october 7 to 8, 2011, the convention is expected to again honor the great stone face with public screenings of some of. In a series of silent features, the filmmakerstar became a deadpan everyman impervious to disaster. Eventually in his life as a performer he gained the nickname the great stone face. Jun 19, 2019 its no wonder that roger ebert claimed the great stone face was the greatest actordirector in the history of the movies. This course will examine the films of buster keaton, who many feel is the greatest of all silent film performers. The great stone face s prefeature output is a comedic treasure trove that allows us to watch a performing genius perfect his filmic persona lobsters allnew restorations debut some alternate scenes and fix a number of broken ju. The general 1927 is an imaginative masterpiece of deadpan stoneface buster keaton comedy, generally regarded as one of the greatest of all silent comedies and keatons own favorite and undoubtedly the best train film ever made. In films that combined comedy with extraordinary physical risks, buster. Known as the great stone face for his blank expression and wideeyed glare, keaton became a star on stage before he could barely even walk and then spent most of this career mastering the art of the fall.

Buy online, pick up in store is currently unavailable, but this item may be available for instore purchase. Keaton s father, a lifetime vaudevillian, had always been against the newfangled medium of film, and keaton shared his reservationsbut the largerthanlife arbuckle intrigued him nonetheless. His influence on physical comedy is rivaled only by charlie. Shop for buster keaton related autographs, signed photographs, historical documents and manuscripts from. Kehaline ja intellektuaalne huumor, situatsioonikoomika, samas tosise tundevaese nao mille jargi sai huudnime suur kivinagu the great stone face ning. Entertainment weekly was called buster keaton as the seventh greatest director.

Keaton was one of silent films most famous comedians. Like many of the great actors of the silent era, keatons work was cast into near obscurity for many years. Keatons gift was showing no emotions, looking dead serious, stoneface, deadpan emotions, while in dire straits. The brilliant and ingenious comedian buster keaton sherlock jr. Stone face buster keaton king of early stunts who broke. See more ideas about silent film, comedians and silent film stars. Buster keaton, american film comedian and director, the great stone face, known for his deadpan expression and his imaginative and often elaborate visual comedy. Keaton is rumored to have gotten the name buster from harry houdini himself.

The great stone face of comedy dvd, 2005, 2disc set at the best online prices at ebay. Joseph frank buster keaton october 4, 1895 february 1, 1966 was an american actor, comedian, film director, producer, screenwriter, and stunt performer. Apr 09, 2020 buster keaton, american film comedian and director, the great stone face, known for his deadpan expression and his imaginative and often elaborate visual comedy. From secondstory windows, cliffs, trees, trains, motorcycles, balconies. Keaton perfected his stoic look while still a child performer. As a result of an infection to his ear during service he suffered permanent hearing impairment. Alternate takes from 1965s the railrodder make up the opening titles for this 1968 compilation film.

From these films, he earned his trademark nickname the great stone face, in which he performed a style of physical comedy with a consistently deadpan, stoic expression. Buster keaton the great stone face title sequence youtube. Buster keaton is considered one of the greatest comic actors of all time. Harold lloyd made us laugh as much, charlie chaplin moved us more deeply, but no one had more courage than buster. Buster keaton the great stone face available in dvd ship this item this item is available online through marketplace sellers. With buster keaton, henry morgan, renee adoree, roscoe fatty arbuckle.

Buster keaton didnt need a contractual obligation to preclude his stone face character from smiling in films, any more than charlie chaplin needed a clause requiring his little tramp. Sep 02, 2018 his impassive features gave him the nickname the great stone face. A loving tribute from one legend to another, the latest film from bogdanovich subject of a comprehensive retrospective at the quad sept 28 oct 4 offers an insightful and highly entertaining look at famed comedian and filmmaker buster keaton. He liked to cook and he knew how to make a custard. Mark looks back at one of the silent screens most lustrous stars. The great buster celebrates the life and career of one of americas most influential and celebrated filmmakers and comedians, buster keaton. Joseph francis keaton vi known as the great stone face, buster keaton got big laughs out of his relentlessly blank expression in silent film comedies like the saphead 1920, sherlock, jr.

So the story goes, arbuckle piqued keaton s interest in film during their first meeting, but the great stone face wasnt convinced. Turner classic movies pays tribute to stanley donen on monday, march 18 with the following festival of films. The great buster celebrates the life and career of one of americas most influential and celebrated filmmakers and comedians, buster keaton, whose singular style and fertile output during the. Adding to his mystique was a background on the vaudeville stage with all its tricks and sleight of hand. No one better than buster keaton represented silent cinema of the 20s. Buster keaton was born in piqua, kansas in october 1895 and passed away in february 1966. As a child buster learned to use a deadpan expression to delight audiences. Only toward the end of his life was there a renewed interest in his films.

Buster keaton was bornon october 04, 1895 in piqua, kansas, usa, united states. His art and his gags were the best way to present that world without sounds but full of expressions, riding a decade in which he became together with charlie chaplin the most paid and. Buster keaton was best known for his roles in silent films. It is set during the american civil war 186165 and highlights the theme of personal redemption. Keaton has been called the great stone face for his stoic facial expressions. The first thing i watched was the dvds 25minute documentary. The honorary academy award winner shines in rare films from hollywoods golden and hilarious years.

The great stone face signed this contract in 1957 to play an overacting actor in the play merton of the movies. He was called as the 21st greatest male star based on the rank of american film institute. Dec 30, 2018 the great comedian created with him an indissoluble couple until 1919, when the name of buster keaton got famous enough for a solo career. Though chaplin will be referenced frequently, part 1 is. Peter bogdanovichs tribute to old stone face could use more of his spirit venice bogdanovich honors the silent era icons legacy, but doesnt. Apr 11, 2016 truly smart comedy from the silent era. Joseph frank keaton, better known as buster keaton, was a comedian and actor who. Edition discs price new from used from dvd jan 11, 2005 please retry. The greatest of the silent clowns is buster keaton, not only because of what he did, but because of how he did it. Buster keaton the great stone face by del lord, jules. Buster keaton about buster keaton american masters pbs.

Matted to 21x26 in a brown, yellow and grey matte with a bw photo of keaton in a tux and name plate. Buster keaton, original name joseph frank keaton iv, born october 4, 1895, piqua, kansas, u. In honor of buster keatons birthday, i want to share some fun gifs of his work. Nov 02, 2018 for director and narrator bogdanovich, its a crime that too few people realize how astounding and innovative the great stuntman, comedian, and filmmaker buster keaton truly was. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname the great stone face. Nov 10, 2002 for the rest of his career, keaton was the great stone face, with an expression that ranged from the impassive to the slightly quizzical. He had been a huge buster keaton fan since he had encountered the great stone face as a kid. Its the whole shebang the earlier fatty arbuckle shorts and busters later solo efforts. Buster keaton collection doesnt try to pass these shorts off as keatons best work. Buster keaton was called as the great stone face due to his deadpan expression and stoic face. Buster keaton contract signed 09091957 item 279779. He will soon land on mgm, which did the impossible to cast him. Joseph frank keaton october 4, 1895 february 1, 1966, known professionally as buster keaton, was an american actor, comedian, film director, producer, screenwriter, and stunt performer. He was known for starring in silent films and known as the great stone face.

Feb 28, 2019 the two major silent film comedians, buster keaton and charlie chaplin. The video quality is ok, and if you really like this set you can think about investing in the megaexpensive art of buster keaton from kino that has his finest works from the 1920s on 11 discs in the best video quality available. Oct 18, 2014 buster keaton was a master filmmaker and comic genius. The civil war adventureepic classic was made toward the end of the silent era. As youll see in these images, its a miracle he made it to age 70, after all those stunts. Best known for his silent films, demonstrating his physical comedy with a deadpan expression, he was nicknamed the great stone face. He is best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression that earned him the nickname the great stone face. Jun 20, 2019 its no wonder that roger ebert claimed the great stone face was the greatest actordirector in the history of the movies. Lobsters allnew restorations debut some alternate scenes and fix a number of broken jump cuts. In a series of silent features, the filmmakerstar became a deadpan everyman impervious to. The general 1927 is an imaginative masterpiece of deadpan stone face buster keaton comedy, generally regarded as one of the greatest of all silent comedies and keaton s own favorite and undoubtedly the best train film ever made.

Buster keaton s comedy endures not just because he had a face that belongs on mount rushmore, at once hauntingly immovable and classically american, but because that face was attached to one of the most gifted actors and directors who ever graced the screen. Joseph frank keaton, known professionally as buster keaton, was an american comic actor and filmmaker. Joseph frank keaton october 4, 1895 february 1, 1966, known professionally as buster. The great stone faces prefeature output is a comedic treasure trove that allows us to watch a performing genius perfect his filmic persona.

A buster is born keatons parents were major players in the vaudeville circuit, and they rubbed elbows with some of the most iconic performers of the timeincluding the worlds most famous escape artist. Id never seen any of buster keaton s 19391940 columbia shorts before the new 2disc buster keaton collection. Buster keaton the great stone face by del lord, jules white. His art and his gags were the best way to present that world without. The other half comes from watching the great stone face, keaton himself, in action. It seems as if he plays both the straight man and the dupe at the same time. Keaton, his parents, siblings and show business friends summered in muskegon from 1905 to 1920. Its no wonder that roger ebert claimed the great stone face was the greatest actordirector in the history of the movies. Jan, 2000 buster keaton is considered one of the greatest comic actors of all time. The great stone face buster keaton timeless hollywood.