Buster Keaton - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 05-20-2008, 11:11 PM

I recently bought a Buster Keaton collection on DVD. It turns out to be ten shorts he did for Columbia Pictures during the late thirties and early forties. I loved them, this was my introduction to Buster Keaton. I've since found out that my dad has a DVD of his silent movie "The General" and I'll probably watch that this weekend.

Like I say, I love the shorts I've watched. However, this isn't supposed to be Keaton at his best, mainly because of director Jules White. Keaton had creative control in his silent movies and he didn't have control here. But Buster Keaton is, in my opinion, the greatest slapstick comedian of all time.

Being a Stooges' fan, it was comforting seeing familiar faces from the Stooges in the Buster Keaton shorts. People such as Vernon Dent and Bud Jamison (and others that I don't know their names).

Ireneparalegal · 05-20-2008, 11:13 PM

I am a stooge fan.

I remember back in the days when we would eat at Shakeys Pizza Place and they would have a large movie screen and play movie shorts such as the Buster Keaton ones. It was first introduction to the man. I must have been around 9 years old.

Adamantium · 05-20-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I am a stooge fan.

I remember back in the days when we would eat at Shakeys Pizza Place and they would have a large movie screen and play movie shorts such as the Buster Keaton ones. It was first introduction to the man. I must have been around 9 years old.

I've always heard of Buster Keaton, but never until the other day did I decide to just up and buy a DVD of him.

Ireneparalegal · 05-20-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

I've always heard of Buster Keaton, but never until the other day did I decide to just up and buy a DVD of him.

I didn't even realize there were DVD's of him. I knew of the Stooges DVD's. Where did you find the DVD?

Adamantium · 05-20-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I didn't even realize there were DVD's of him. I knew of the Stooges DVD's. Where did you find the DVD?

Well I got mine at Kroger (I bought it on my lunch), but I'd imagine they sell it at DVD stores, too.

Ireneparalegal · 05-20-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

Well I got mine at Kroger (I bought it on my lunch), but I'd imagine they sell it at DVD stores, too.

Who would have ever thought we could see the old timers like Keaton and the Stooges on DVD to watch anytime we want?

Back in the days when it was just television (no VCR's) I would imagine what it would be like to have tv shows or movies at our disposal to watch anytime. I am so glad to live in this era.

Adamantium · 05-20-2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Who would have ever thought we could see the old timers like Keaton and the Stooges on DVD to watch anytime we want?

Back in the days when it was just television (no VCR's) I would imagine what it would be like to have tv shows or movies at our disposal to watch anytime. I am so glad to live in this era.

Exactly. Because I like the old shows and movies, people often ask me if I wish I was alive back in those days. And even though I'd love to visit those times (if I had a time machine), I like living in the now because of DVDs and being able to collect all episodes of my favorite shows.

And as a kid it was my dream to have every episode of every show on tape. Now, I'm sort of living that dream... sort of. I still have a ways to go, lol.

Adamantium · 05-20-2008, 11:50 PM

Another thing, I wonder if Buster Keaton and the Stooges knew that in the year 2008, people would still be watching them, and laughing at them and just being entertained by them. Through these DVDs, we're keeping them alive in a sense.

Keaton had a tough time in the 1930s. His ex-wife got everything, including the kids, which she renamed! He lost creative control of his films, not to mention the silent pictures being replaced by the "talkies". He had a few friends pass away. I heard that there was a picture of him in a straight jacket, stating "What happened to this man that used to make us laugh?" It was a genuine photo too. He really had to be institutionalized. Anyways, yeah, sad times. But in a way, he came out the victor, because here we are in the year 2008, talking about him and being entertained by him.

Ireneparalegal · 05-21-2008, 12:01 AM

Oh wow, I never knew that abt him. How sad that is to read.

I know Lucille Ball was a huge fan of Buster's.

tv star collector · 05-21-2008, 08:05 AM

Buster Keaton was perhaps the best comedian of the silent era. Charlie
Chaplin is (I think) highly overrated.

70s show watcher · 05-21-2008, 06:41 PM

he was my grandfathers fave

05-20-2008, 11:11 PM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	Buster Keaton I recently bought a Buster Keaton collection on DVD. It turns out to be ten shorts he did for Columbia Pictures during the late thirties and early forties. I loved them, this was my introduction to Buster Keaton. I've since found out that my dad has a DVD of his silent movie "The General" and I'll probably watch that this weekend. Like I say, I love the shorts I've watched. However, this isn't supposed to be Keaton at his best, mainly because of director Jules White. Keaton had creative control in his silent movies and he didn't have control here. But Buster Keaton is, in my opinion, the greatest slapstick comedian of all time. Being a Stooges' fan, it was comforting seeing familiar faces from the Stooges in the Buster Keaton shorts. People such as Vernon Dent and Bud Jamison (and others that I don't know their names).

05-20-2008, 11:13 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	I am a stooge fan. I remember back in the days when we would eat at Shakeys Pizza Place and they would have a large movie screen and play movie shorts such as the Buster Keaton ones. It was first introduction to the man. I must have been around 9 years old.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

05-20-2008, 11:50 PM	#8
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	Another thing, I wonder if Buster Keaton and the Stooges knew that in the year 2008, people would still be watching them, and laughing at them and just being entertained by them. Through these DVDs, we're keeping them alive in a sense. Keaton had a tough time in the 1930s. His ex-wife got everything, including the kids, which she renamed! He lost creative control of his films, not to mention the silent pictures being replaced by the "talkies". He had a few friends pass away. I heard that there was a picture of him in a straight jacket, stating "What happened to this man that used to make us laugh?" It was a genuine photo too. He really had to be institutionalized. Anyways, yeah, sad times. But in a way, he came out the victor, because here we are in the year 2008, talking about him and being entertained by him.

05-21-2008, 12:01 AM	#9
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	Oh wow, I never knew that abt him. How sad that is to read. I know Lucille Ball was a huge fan of Buster's.

05-21-2008, 08:05 AM	#10
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Buster Keaton was perhaps the best comedian of the silent era. Charlie Chaplin is (I think) highly overrated.

05-21-2008, 06:41 PM	#11
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,548	he was my grandfathers fave