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JSTOR: Film QuarterlyVol. 12, No. 1 (Autumn, 1958), pp. 10-15

In this article, Christopher Bishop discusses the ways in which Keaton's comedy differed from other comedians, and focuses especially on his syle of acting, and specifically, his "stone face." The author describes how Keaton's face is what most remember from his films, and analyizes the effect vaudeville had on his comedy career. Bishop argues that this physical training increases the effectiveness of Keaton's films, for he does not rely on editing tricks, but rather, is able to physically perform the stunt in one shot. Furthermore, this training also leads to a keen awareness of the possibilites of facial expressions and other movements, and the author argues that Keaton is the most effective at utalizing expressions and movements for comic effect. The author then reminds the reader of Keaton's fascination with machines, and suggests that Keaton used his own body in a mechnical fashion. Finally, the author argues that the goals in Keaton's films are "metaphysical and implicit." In other words, Chaplin's films are concerned with social commentary, and thus, are rooted in that historical time period. Keaton's films, however, are more concerned with great natural obstacles, and rarely offer solutions.

In understanding why Keaton's comedy was relativley unpopular compared to Chaplin, it is important to understand how Chaplin worked. This article does a nice job of describing how Keaton works, or how he behaves in his films, and also compares the films of Chaplin and Keaton. Thus, one gets gains a better understanding of how Keaton differed not only from the wildly popular Chaplin, but from other comedians of this time as well. It also provides a great deal of Keaton's history, and providest the reader with the early activities that would shape Keaton's acting style. In this sense, one gains a better understanding of why Keaton developed films the way he did.

Bishop, Christopher. "The Great Stone Face." Film Quarterly Vol 12 No 1 (1958): 10-15

belongs to The General Buster Keaton project
tagged buster_keaton comedy film slapstick by jscanish ...on 30-NOV-08

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Buster : a legend in laughter / Larry Edwards.

This book is essentially an overview of Keaton's career, and is useful for understanding his style and his significance to the film world. In particular, there is a section on The General, which provides much useful information about the making of the film. Futhermore, the author, Larry Edwards, discusses the signifcance of The General, and how it differed from other comedies of the time. The author first discusses the history of the film, mentioning its horrible box office failure and its then historically high budget. He also explore Keaton's possible motivation for the film, noting that Keaton, though not formally educated, was an avid reader. Keaton was especially fond of History, and had a strong interest in trains and other technology. Futhermore, the author believes Keaton was partially inspired by the Civil War photos of Mathew Brady, and a story written about an actual train robbery called "The Great Locomotive Chase." Interestingly, Keaton changed very little when formulating his plot, so in a sense, his film is a depiction of an actual event. Naturally, as a comedian, Keaton added the humor and the romantic elements, but the actual story is very much the same. In analysing the film, Edwards notes what makes the film so different from other comedies of the time. First, the story is not told or motivated by intertitles. Listing all of the intertitles for the reader to examine, it becomes clear that they make little sense when read out of context. The story then, is motivated by the visual aspects of the film alone, and in this sense, the author argues that the train is actually a bigger star in the film than Keaton. Futhermore, Edwards notes that the gags are very different from other comedies in that they are often very subtle. Again, the narrative is the most important element, and it overshadows all other elements of the film. To the author, this emphasis on narrative is what sets The General apart, and contributes to its praise today.

This book is incredibly useful in understanding the history of The General, that is, how it was made, how much it cost etc. The book is also useful in understanding the motivations of Keaton, as it explores his passions and interests. But beyond the facts, the examination of the film is important in understanding why the film is so revered today. The author clearly describes how the film is so different from most comedies of the time, mostly in that it focuses primarily on a coherent narrative that is not driven by intertitles. The book is an excellent source for understanding how The General is unique, and clearly exlplains the elements of the film that contributed to its initial failure. These same elements are what now account for its near universal acclaim.

Edwards, Larry. Buster: A Legend in Laughter. Bradenton, FL: McGuinn & McGuire 1995

Pgs. 75-97
Call#: Van Pelt Library--4 East--Temporary Location Annenberg PN2287.K4 E38 1995

belongs to The General Buster Keaton project
tagged buster_keaton comedy film slapstick the_general by jscanish ...on 30-NOV-08