Kuster Beaton
In 1970, Kuster Beaton, a former silent-film star, gives an interview looking back over his career. A journalist asks him about his legendary power : an alleged super-speed that enabled him to shoot his films without special effects.
The Great Buster: A Celebration
A celebration of the life and career of one of America's most influential and celebrated filmmakers and comedians—Buster Keaton—whose singular style and fertile output during the silent era created his legacy as a true cinematic visionary.
A Brave Engineer: Buster Keaton's Last Ride
From 1920 to 1965, the great Buster Keaton made spectacular use of locomotives in his films. This video essay charts the course of his iconic cinematic career across the many tracks he rode along on screen: as a young man in the surge of his silent movie ascent in Our Hospitality, while making his masterpiece The General, and traversing the width of Canada on a railway speeder car as an old man in The Railrodder.
Spite Marriage
An unimpressive but well-intentioned man is given the chance to marry a popular actress, of whom he has been a hopeless fan. But what he doesn't realize is that he is being used to make the actress' old flame jealous.
The Goat
A series of misadventures occur when Buster is mistaken for a criminal on the lam.
The Smelly Janitor
A janitor in a small store discovers a magical mixture of colognes that causes women to uncontrollably chase him. Does he use the colognes? Would you? Be careful what you wish for.
Silent Echoes
Four visual essays by Silent Echoes author John Bengtson identifying Buster Keaton's shooting locations for his many short films produced between 1920-1923, many in the streets surrounding his former Hollywood studio, the same studio where, a few years earlier, Charlie Chaplin had made his brilliant series of Mutual shorts.
Departure of Love
‘Departure of Love’ was inspired by the silent film comedy of Buster Keaton and the 1920s.
Movie Magic & Mysteries: The Making of Sherlock Jr.
Documentary about the making of Buster Keaton's silent comedy classic, Sherlock Jr. (1924).
Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood
In 1926, Buster Keaton was at the peak of his glory and wealth. By 1933, he had reached rock bottom. How, in the space of a few years, did this uncontested genius of silent films, go from the status of being a widely-worshipped star to an alcoholic and solitary fallen idol? With a spotlight on the 7 years during which his life changed, using extracts of Keaton’s films as magnifying mirrors, the documentary recounts the dramatic life of this creative genius and the Hollywood studios.
So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM
A Turner Classic Movies (TCM) documentary about Keaton's discontented relationship with MGM and the events that eventually led to his career downfall.
Three Ages: Tour of Filming Locations
This visual essay by John Bengtson, author of Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton, reveals the locations where Keaton's 1923 comedy feature Three Ages was filmed in Hollywood, USC, and Los Angeles.
The General: Tour of Filming Locations
In this visual essay John Bengtson, author of Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton, pinpoints the locations used in the filming of The General and offers glimpses of how they look today.
The Play House: An Accidental Masterpiece
The special effects in The Play House (1921) are discussed.
The Frozen North: Keaton's Darkest Comedy
A short documentary on Buster Keaton's The Frozen North (1922), regarding how the events of Fatty Arbuckle's trial and William S. Hart's quick condemnation of Arbuckle, were reflected in the film.
Silent Echoes: Seven Chances
In this visual essay John Bengtson, author of Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton, provides a tour of where Seven Chances was filmed, comparing archival images with contemporary photos, and sharing stories of Mrs. Eleanor Keaton's visit to the Seven Chances church.
The Great Stone Face
A documentary about the work of Buster Keaton.
Sherlock Jr.: Tour of Filming Locations
This visual essay by John Bengtson, author of Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton, reveals the locations where Keaton's 1924 comedy feature Sherlock Jr. was filmed in Hollywood and Orange County.
Luck of Loser
A guy with his hands in plaster finds $100 stuck in a wall, but when he drops it on the ground, a bizarre fight ensues with a passerby who decides to steal it.
Silent Echoes: College
This visual essay by John Bengtson, author of Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton, reveals the locations where Keaton's 1927 comedy feature College was filmed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, and Orange County. A compilation of short films produced between 1917-1922. Coney Island (1917), Back Stage (1919), Convict 13 (1920) and Daydreams (1922).