The Forgotten Sound Films of Buster Keaton | A Docu-Mini

[@richardh3761]

A feature on his later appearances in tv shows would be superb. I remember seeing him in a Twilight Zone episode - a time traveller going from a silent world, to a noisy one.

[@bespectacledheroine7292]

Once Upon a Time! I may love the show to death but that was one of the few comedic episodes that worked. I think between it and Sixteen Millimeter Shrine, the writers of the show really felt for these bygone silent stars. But even in that episode Keaton still had it so he didn't need the pity. :)

[@kali3665]

@@bespectacledheroine7292 I think the opening sequence here with Buster playing his ukulele was shot on the same set where he filmed the TZ episode. Both were done on the MGM lot back when there WAS one. I'm a big fan of Buster Keaton and the Twilight Zone, so I loved it when he appeared on TZ. They filmed the 1890s scenes silent and music by William Lava, which was fantastic, but the 1960s scenes with sound -- and no music -- went on FOREVER! Too much talking and not enough action!

[@kenlieck7756]

@@kali3665 Same goes for the 1955 Screen Directors' Playhouse episode "The Silent Partner" [kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmnHl5-VqKqoibM] I suppose.

[@MoxieMcMurder]

That sounds great, will look out for that episode!

[@johnbockelie3899]

My favorite line was in the movie with his sail boat named " Elifino". He calls the Coast Guard during a storm. Coast Guard " What's the name of your boat?". Buster "Elifino" The name of his boat made him hard for his rescue.

[@suejohnson196]

Buster had a great speaking voice. He spoke clearly and was always easy to understand.

[@KellyNorman-wu6qr]

he had a bad speaking voice and that's just creepy to say

[@hahalol1452]

@@KellyNorman-wu6qr nah it was fine

[@DaddingAllDay]

I'm glad you opened with "Spanish Town". It's one of those gags where you think you know how it's going to end, but Buster plays along with our anticipation. Then ends in a completely different way.

[@jamesbobo]

I remember him in a Candid Camera skit where he was at a dinner eating soup. He sneezed so hard that his toupee fell into the soup. The look on the face of those sitting next to him at the counter were hilarious.

[@frankreads8618]

It is as sad as it is perplexing to see MGM sign Keaton, not know what to do with him, refuse to let him have any creatice control, disrespect him, and then let him go. What were they thinking??

[@melissacooper8724]

I was thinking what was Buster thinking when he signed the contract to MGM. Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd even tried to talk him out of it!

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

The writers of most of Keaton's sound movies didn't understand what a Keaton character was. When Keaton created his own characters, they might be situationally clueless but they weren't stupid. They were quick studies and became masters of their worlds. Not so with characters in many of the talkies. They never stop stumbling and bumbling and have no more control of their destiny than a bilge rat had of the Titanic. And while Keaton's original characters had a charming naiveté and innocence, most of the talkie characters come across as such profound sexual retardates that if they ever did become physically aroused, they'd put an ice bag on the swelling and seek medical help.

[@autumnsilverwolves]

@@melissacooper8724 if he wanted to keep acting... I'm not sure what he could have done to stay independent. He tried all the studios. They had all been informed that he "belonged" to MGM, so they wouldn't take him.

[@unwavery]

Schenck sold him out.

[@kali3665]

I always loved Buster Keaton. Truly a shame that the studios took from him what was most valuable to him: His independence and his autonomy. But he didn't realize how much that would hurt him until it was far too late. It's great to see these videos on Buster. Thank you for posting!

[@loginregional]

Ahh, the RailRodder! My dad worked for CN (forever) and he was very proud of this film only briefly seen in today's look-back.

[@deonmurphy6383]

That is an excellent work, and showcases his artistic ability with minimal props. The “magic” box is also hilarious.

[@masonvaughn2603]

This is exactly what I needed after a terrible week. Thank you for having the best retrospective channel on the platform.

[@stickershock66]

Yay, the Railrodder! The making-of feature was awesome too.

[@TheSuckoShow]

This reminds me of Jackie Chan's American movies. Especially the bit about the editing and camerawork. Physical comedy demands a level of precision and nuance that is impossible to achieve in a top-down Hollywood studio system. You don't want to lecture the director for hours on why the camera needs to be RIGHT HERE, you just want to put the goddamn camera right there. On the set of Rush Hour, Jackie Chan made Brett Ratner run away to his trailer and cry after telling him "You don't know how to shoot action."

[@cesarzpontu8886]

Brett Ratner shouldn't be a director.

[@mogensschmidt2498]

Well that’s was kinda rute Of jackie. To say

[@trolleymouse]

@@mogensschmidt2498 Jackie was still getting the hang of English at the time, so I'm not sure he could have gotten the point across politely.

[@peztopher7297]

Jackie is openly a fan of Buster. He uses a lot of Buster's gags.

[@mogensschmidt2498]

@@trolleymouseyeah but still

[@hayleyg3135]

Thank you so much for creating such a beautiful retrospective on Buster. He is my absolute favourite and his talkie era always makes me sad knowing what could have been had he not signed with MGM. I really love how much care you gave him and I hope so many others will get to discover just how incredible and wonderful he was.

[@autumnsilverwolves]

He really tried hard to stay independent.

[@jaytrace1006]

Buster Keaton was amongst the all-time comedy film greats. Thank you for this….

[@crush41gb]

Being a Stooges fan it was also crazy seeing Bud Jamison and with Buster at 15:09! Which he just mentioned a couple minutes later along with Vernon Dent lol! Love this channel! Thank you! :) I wonder if Buster survived talkies also because of his voice? Great to see his appearance on What's MY Line!

[@petefrenzel7296]

Thank You, thank you, thank you for doing Buster Keaton films. He is a genius. His movies are hilarious & timeless.

[@davidhelmer9124]

I actually discovered Buster Keaton when I was a kid from watching his final movie A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Which lead to my fondness for him and his work.

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

Me, too! And what I love is that I think Buster -- the silent film star -- gets the funniest line in the whole film, and it takes the entire movie to do the setup. "Those filthy pirates!"

[@peztopher7297]

I remember seeing ads for the film on TV, but I didn't go see it. Had to watch it a couple years ago. I liked that he wore a toga, but still had the porkpie hat and the slap shoes. He was also in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World.

[@kurtb8474]

The Railrodder was brilliant. Even the behind-the-scenes film of the Railrodder is great!

[@kygerdesario]

Whoa!! Awesome video! He’s one of my top five actors of all time.

[@xanderharris3464]

Holy Fuck!! Kyger?!?!? What’s in the box!!!!!! 😂🤣

[@steveurkel7303]

What’s in the Box?! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@VinceSirCreepsAlot]

📦

[@helloeverybody7567]

The Creepy One himself 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 💀

[@JaredGriffiths2000]

9:50 It's so weird seeing Buster Keaton doing that bit since I'm a big Three Stooges fan and I've seen that short many times.

[@crush41gb]

Me too! I was exactly on that part when reading your comment! :) I wonder if Buster was still called Stoneface after the talkies?

[@SonofFrenzi]

@@crush41gb He was the Great Stoneface throughout his career - only smiling on two occasions after 1920 (a brief grin at the end of Le Roi des Les Champs Ellyses (1934) and in San Diego I Love You (1945) - where his character is actually bubbling over with joy.

[@luislaplume8261]

@@SonofFrenzi Le roi des Chmpes Elyesse translates to the King of the Champs Elyesee which is the most beautiful boulevard in Paris, France, where believe it or not I have some distant relatives living there on my father's father side close to the Seine River.

[@RRaquello]

It looks to me like that's an old vaudeville routine, probably done by many comedians over the years before it was put on film, with each comedian putting his own spin on it.

[@treeorsh]

Buster's version of that bit actually pre-dates Curly Howard's version. SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK, where Buster does the bit, was released in 1931, at least a year before Curly even joined The Three Stooges. At any rate, I suspect the act is at least as old as vaudeville. 😉

[@Flux_Flow]

Buster made a cameo appearance in the JOHN WICK - CHAPTER 3 PARABELLUM movie. I couldn't believe it. Paying homage to the master.

[@jonathanlane5432]

I work as a volunteer at the Motion Picture and Television Country House. I knew that Larry was a resident and passed away there but had no idea that Curly spent time at the facility. Many of the buildings have not changed since then. Now I’ll be imagining Curly everywhere.

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

The first time I remember seeing Buster in a talkie, was his cameo in "Limelight," and I was so surprised at how deep his voice was lol

[@triggeredcat120]

I find it so interesting to hear someone near my age show an interest in the early years of film making. Always a great video!

[@KidFresh71]

What a fearless stuntman. Holy crap- in the clip where the train smashes through the house, some huge pieces of lumber are plummeting from the sky and landing right by Buster's head.

[@peztopher7297]

Oh, yeah! Even the actresses did some risky things back then. That movie, 'One Week', is fantastic.

[@plovet]

Thanks. I've been a Buster fan, since I happened to see the movie "College" back in the 90s. In that whole time, I have never known how realized how active he was in the early sound era....

[@charlesgreenberg2753]

As usual, HATS-OFF ENTERTAINMENT not only puts together great production values and techniques, but an excellent understanding of classic comedy. The 3 Stooges, "Disorder in the Court" and Keaton's version, is super inspired! Plus, the sound reuse and less than inspired camera angles, is thesis material! Love it!

[@sine_wave1]

I just started going into the Buster Keaton rabbit hole recently, and am appreciating his works! This video is great timing-- a coincidence!

[@lomasloco70]

It was thanks to my Dad that i knew about this mad, unique comedic-kinetic Genius!! Kudos for this channel, glad i've suscribed. I still remember Keaton's late cameo in "It's a mad, mad, mad world" along with the last iteration of The Three Stooges. This is gold, definitely.

[@feralbluee]

lots of us discovered Keaton in movie theaters that showed vintage films. in New York we had the Thalia on the West Side, the Bleecker St. Cinema in the Village and The Elgin (run by Chuck Zlatkin and Steve Gould). i worked there, in the late ‘60’s-early ‘70’s. i got quite an education in film from Metropolis to Vittorio de Sica (The Bicycle Thief), Sergei Eisenstein’s The Battleship Potemkin to Ingmar Bergman. and from Keaton’s The General to The Marx Brothers Duck Soup. it was one of the best experiences in my life :)

[@johnmitchelljr]

Thank you, very well done. Long time Buster Keaton fan who learned something.

[@deadpan80]

the studios could take away his creative control - but they couldn't take away Buster's comedic magic

[@elizabethpeterson1644]

I fell in loved with Buster Keaton’s movies since mid October 2011. I was watching a couple silent movies by him back to back. I even told my mother about him that I was amazed by the stunts he did in his films. As more and more of watching his stuff. He was so funny. He was more funnier than Charlie Chaplin.

[@peztopher7297]

I actually find Chaplin to be maudlin and overly sentimental. His gift is physical comedy. Not gags or stunts, just ways he moves that evoke character and humor.

[@marcdelente2456]

Génial buster keaton merci pour tout ce que vous faites pour nous ces fans . Buster keaton est vraiment un homme a qui j aurai aimé serrer la main et l entendre parlé de son art . Ha j oubliai formidable document et des séquences rares merci infiniment.

[@alwaysblake148]

Silent or sound, Buster Keaton is a genius.His silent masterpieces are unforgettable, but his sound films are a good time because of him. Excellent presentation.

[@matthewholzinger1042]

The court bit at 10:00. Buster Keaton was filmed in 1931 but the Stooges was filmed in 1936.

[@eyeln9ne696]

Damn, i love me some Buster! Btw it's because of you that i became a big fan. Thank you.

[@aimeemetzinger6718]

Thank you for making this short documentary, showcasing Mr. Keaton’s talent so well. I hope younger generations may come to appreciate his work because of it. He was the best.❤

[@teririch2682]

Wow! I am so impressed! A couple of those movies I never heard of! Thank you for sharing!

[@johnmitchelljr]

I have few heroes, Mr. Keaton is on top. Thank you.

[@MsLeenite]

Thank you, Joe. This was a most enjoyable addition to your roster of great comedian retrospectives. Great way to welcome springtime, since Buster Keaton's comedy scenes are always as fresh and funny as the first time I saw them.

[@shawnattwells5355]

The trouble with the sound films he did, was MGM. Buster wanted more say in what he did when sound came along, but Mayer and Thalberg wouldn't give it to him. In the documentary A Hard act To Follow, he complains about them picking stories without consulting him. He would show his displeasure by marching off the set, and not coming back for days, before they started shooting. This sadly led to his drinking problems, his first and second divorce, pairing him up with Jimmy Durante, and L.B Mayer angerly kicking him out of the studio.

[@Calcifrizzle]

Nice video! Your channel is great for learning more about these older film stars who I've heard of but never really checked out their stuff before.

[@malcolmharris5277]

Thank you for making this. Buster is unique and merits this coverage. You do such a great job of informing us about The Greats.

[@martink.461]

I've been a fan of Keaton's silent films for most of my life, but kept away from most of the sound ones. This was very eye-opening. Great video!

[@heisensaul5538]

This was a very interesting video. I was actually unaware of the talkies he made. Great retrospective of this part of his career. Also his voice is not what I imagined what he sounded like.

[@tudorlazescu4189]

Great video! It's fun to watch a video about Keaton's later work which are rarely talked about

[@macmoore4599]

Great video. Can't wait for part two.

[@TadIsTrying]

I have adored Buster Keaton along with other classic comedians since I was a teenager and was always seen as odd by my peers. Nice to see this retrospective in the year 2023.

[@Atticus118]

I have to say you always make amazing, entertaining, and very informative videos.

[@laurianelivi]

I was waiting for so long a video about Buster, thank you so much! Next do a video about Danny Kaye, please! Love your channel very much, you're the greatest!

[@filmnobelpreis]

For everyone interested in Buster's probably best piece of work after his silent movies, check out his appearance on the Ed Wynn show where he basically parodies silent film technique.

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

Here's the Ed Wynn bit -- which CLEARLY had Buster's hand in every minute of it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqmngYeZrbZ3aKs

[@tedrobinson372]

Excellent presentation and commentary! Thank you so much for this excellent Keaton career overview.

[@grantbitman1448]

At first, in your opening line I thought I heard, "Today, just over one hundred years since Buster Keaton first slept his way on movie screens." Yikes, how much did Buster have to sacrifice for success.

[@deepspacetech3000]

Awesome retrospective, thank you for giving voice to classic media!

[@johnnycotton3217]

Fascinating as always

[@TheFlashStickman]

Sitting here late at night, stumbled across your channel and I've been really enjoying you reviews and take on classic cinema! I grew up on a lot of these including The Three Stooges, Buster, Charlie, Harold, etc.

[@busterkeatonvk]

Why is it always said that Joe Schenck talked Keaton to give up his independence in favor of MGM, when in fact he simply closed his 'independent' studio, leaving him with a choice - either go to MGM or remain unemployed, without a studio, enough money to open his own one, but with very demanding wife, two children and four Keatons, whom he had to fully provide for? And the second question - if a flat hat and baggy pants meant so much to his personality, what about half of his own silent features, in which there is neither one nor the other - including, and even especially, The General?

[@Stevesk0011]

Great stuff. Thank you. I love your work.

[@pauletcheverry5572]

What's amazing is just how good Buster is in those talkies, whether they be big budget MGM features or no budget Educational and Columbia short subjects - when he gets the opportunity to demonstrate his comedy chops. Buster's great all the way through his appearances in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and the 1965 NFB film "The Railrodder."

[@mmichael1221]

The editing of that intro chefs kiss clean as hell

[@CHoustonify]

Joe, I'd love a review from you of Hail, Caesar. I feel like your analysis of that movie, especially the movie-making portions, would be absolutely fascinating.

[@AlfredFJones1776]

Buster Keaton had some funny Columbia Shorts. Same sound effects as The Three Stooges.

[@RobRivShowsLive01]

One Of THE GREATEST Of ALL TIMES!!!!

[@Scott-Zakarin]

Great job! Entertaining and informative.

[@jeffhand9960]

Excellent video, thank you for posting.

[@NancyLea28]

Thank you so much for this and such a respectful look at the talkies Buster did. #Damfino!

[@amartyasmaran4films]

Thank you for this one ❤️

[@puddinggeek4623]

Excellent video as always. I’ll have to check out these films. Keep up the great work.

[@EricBrunoBorgman]

Thanks for creating these docs! I enjoy a few of Keaton's talking features. If you don't compare these films with his silents some can be enjoyable for what they are. What should also be noted is he was really in the throws of alcoholism during this period too. His timing is often off, possibly due to his sickness and also to the fact that there wouldn't be enough takes to get the physical stuff perfect. I like both of the MGM silent features with The Cameraman being a bit of a masterpiece. I also enjoy Parlor, Bedroom and Bath and The Passionate Plumber.

[@TheBeird]

So . . . studios have never known what they’re doing

[@nebula4013]

Very good. Joe Ramoni you're a good guy to make this, thanks

[@SillinessIsCartoons]

I didn’t these shorts had gag writers. I also didn’t know Three Stooges used old gags used in these same MGM shorts. That courtroom scene always made me think of “Who’s on First?”

[@MichaelPrell]

Once again, an awesome video. Wonderful to revisit the classics -- I laughed out loud more than once watching this. Thanks for your hard work!

[@jtlynn23]

Thank you for an excellent overview of this phase of Buster's career!

[@jenniferbates2811]

Thanks for popping up in my recommendations!!

[@ivane5110]

Had no idea any if these movies even existed! Wow, thanks for the video. I guess Studio interference was wracking movie even way back when.

[@1950Grendel]

Many of Buster's gags played better in silent than sound, even though he liked using sound effects. Buster falling hard on the sidewalk or down the stairs sounded like it hurt, something the silents ignored. Lloyd had the same thing happen. Only comedians who used exaggerated sound, like the The Stooges, really succeeded.

[@sisyphus8870]

Him and Harrold Lloyd used to make me cry with laughter as a kid, Lloyd's stunts were nuts.

[@bespectacledheroine7292]

I know you'll cover it later as teased at at the end but man, watching him having to do the likes of Beach Blanket Bingo is rough. And I think those movies are neat time capsules. But jeez.

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

i just watched 1957's "the buster keaton story" starring donald o'connor. although o'connor did a fine job recreating some of keaton's silent scenes it was terribly lacking in facts although keaton was the "technocal advisor" on the film. there was no mention of fatty arbuckle, no mention of his first two wives and gave the impression that "talkies," drinking and his pride led to his film career downfall. i just love the "great stone face" as well as the "little tramp," harold lloyd, harry langdon, fatty arbuckle and the keystone cops. there was actually much "verbal" comedy in silent films. but they were delivered on title cards. douglas fairbanks, rudolph valentino, lon chaney and other silent stars all added comedic elements in their films. thanks for the video.

[@rhondaweddle9826]

Buster had a wonderful voice

[@JaredGriffiths2000]

I have Speak Easily and The Villain Still Persuaded Her on dvd, I'll have to watch them some time. I know him more for his silent films.

[@JoJoJoker]

This is a very enjoyable channel. You have the skills and personality and talent a lot of people like to access on the internet. Few people tackle subjects ranging over a 75+ year period of film. I’d suggest doing a FB group for your page and using it as a feeding ground to source suggestions for future videos. Your channel adds a light to the darkness many people experience these days.

[@andrewmoser5539]

I just finished "What, No Beer?," and Buster was PLASTERED during half of it haha! There are moments where a scene starts with Buster coherent and energetic, then the camera moves away, and when it cuts back he's slurring his words and holding onto the set to keep from falling!

[@FilmExposedYT]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks!

[@findingnino]

His films will make people laugh for another 100years,,!!

[@lanceturley7745]

So I guess my all-time favorite Stooges gag is actually a Buster Keaton gag.

[@Jabberstax]

That opening scene was a classic.

[@FreihEitner]

Keaton had so many great silent films. My absolute favorite, which I didn't catch a glimpse of in this retrospective, was "Sherlock Jr." though I also love "The Boat", "The General" and yes even "The Cameraman".

[@TheRealKnightFuryPremiere]

My favorite silent film comedians.

[@luislaplume8261]

Well, he did have a good voice.

[@graniteman62]

Buster made those talkies he did better than they were, even with crap stories and no control he did his best, MGM threw him away and destroyed his career but never could take away his genius

[@MisterMoccasin]

This is a great video! If anyones interested more in this era or the life of buster, his autobiography is pretty great for that!

[@amitgeambashu2592]

Thats probebley wont b as funny

[@barriolimbas]

They show this on tv in govt. offices in my country where folk stand in line. The ordeal of long lines becomes bearable. Thank you Buster Keaton.

[@Medraut00]

hope the later video will reference his role in Funny Thing On the Way to the Forum.

[@emno5056]

i sold my (cheap) guitar when i was 10 or 11 in order to buy the kino video VHS sets in the 90s. i got into clowning as a child because of him and that interest still influences me in many ways. youtube has been important later on, and i find it strange that critewrion has not picked up but 'the cameraman' while they picked up a few chaplain and lloyd films. buster is the man, he's been a huge influence to me over time and i still get his humor and i drew the signature hat thing from him. i have my hat, it's not a custom porkpie.bless that man, an absolute king. i don't think those "poor films" come off as bad, i think his dignity and seriousness abot his art cuts thru the cheapness.

[@TheAndrewJBaker]

The MGM features are better than many early 30s comedies. The real problem isn’t simply editing it’s the technical difficulty of sound. Some scenes are filmed like early tv with two cameras so the sound can be recorded continuously. This means there is no proper editing, just cutting from one camera to another. But even so it’s worth seeing them in crisp pristine copies as you can with recent dvds.

[@twistedgamerfromhellreborn9959]

Great video brother about a great funny actor..

[@lekmirn.hintern8132]

Nice job. But I would have appreciated more about "The Champ of the Champs-Elysees", his French movie, which is not only his best talkie (faint praise, granted) but is a very good movie by any standards. Sure, it's not OUR HOSPITALITY or something, but it's really very funny and charming.

[@hulotati]

I enjoy these later films due to the unfamiliarity of them. Having viewed his silents over and over again, it's great to see this other part of a giant of comedy's career.

[@RawbeardX]

film execs through the ages...