Buster Keaton | Hollywood Yesterday

Buster Keaton and Marion Mack, The General

February 1, 2020 By Joi

Two of my favorite Buster Keaton films are The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. (Amazon link to a dvd set which includes both) – then again, I love him in everything he was ever in – from his iconic silents to his outrageously fun The Passionate Plumber and from In the Good Ole Summertime to Beach Blanket Bingo… the man was simply brilliant.

The photos, here, are from The General (1926) and picture the lovely Marion Mack with him.

Buster Keaton and Marion Mack, The General

Oddly enough, although Buster Keaton is clearly the star of this film, he is listed last in the credits! I’m not sure what this signified, if anything, but I’m certain it was of Buster’s own choosing.

Buster Keaton always named The General as his favorite of his films. I am fairly obsessed with reading what film or films was an actor or actress’s favorites from their body of work. I always wish, however, that they’d elaborate on WHY the particular film stands out.

It can be tough to find silent films (as well as other old Hollywood movies) on dvd, which is why I buy all of my favorites. The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. are available on Amazon as a set. I’ve had to buy all of Buster’s films in “sets” because I have so much trouble finding them individually!

Thelma Todd and Buster Keaton: Speak Easily

January 24, 2020 By Joi

Thelma Todd and Buster Keaton, Speak Easily (1932)

This makes a pretty darn good picture of the day, I’d say! The always brilliant and hilarious Buster Keaton and the beautiful and surprisingly hilarious Thelma Todd are wonderful in this comedy. Add in Jimmy Durante and you have quite the romp!

Review: The Passionate Plumber (Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante)

October 15, 2019 By Joi

When you hear the name Buster Keaton, you tend to think of his legendary silent films. After all, his silent films are some of the ABSOLUTE best films ever made. The General, Steamboat Bill, Jr, The Cameraman… the list goes on and on – with each film as perfect as the last.

However, make absolutely no mistake about it, Buster Keaton made some outstanding “talkies” as well. One of my personal favorites is The Passionate Plumber (1932). While this film was not my first Buster Keaton film, it was my first Jimmy Durante film. So, while I knew what delicious antics to expect from Buster, I wasn’t prepared for how much I’d love Durante- the two of them, together, were almost more than my funny bone could stand.

It seems odd to confess it, now, but before The Passionate Plumber, all I knew about Durante was from cartoons I’d seen “him” appear in. I knew he had a trademark “snicker” and a distinguished nose. That was it.

Both make iconic appearances in this film by the way.

Plot: Buster Keaton plays Elmer Tuttle, a plumber who is summoned by a socialite named Patricia (Irene Purcell) to fix her shower. True to a Buster Keaton character’s form, our hero ends up falling in love with her!

Problem is, she already has a boyfriend… and a jealous one, at that. Jimmy Durante is beyond perfect as his bungling sidekick. The wonderful Polly Moran also appears in this outrageously fun romp as the socialite’s maid and object of Durante’s affection.

(Continued Below…)

The Basics

The Passionate Plumber was the first time MGM paired comedic giants Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante. They would also be paired in Speak Easily (1932) and What-No Beer? (1933).
An article in The Hollywood Reporter stated that Robert Montgomery was originally cast as the lead in August 1931 but was replaced with Buster Keaton the following month. Ironically, Robert Montgomery and Buster Keaton are two of my absolute favorite actors – so I was destined to love this film either way!
Irene Purcell, primarily a stage actress (and it’s apparent in her films) only appeared in 6 feature Hollywood films. She is best known for this role and as Robert Montgomery’s leading lady in The Man in Possession in 1931.

Irene Purcell and Buster Keaton

When I first saw The Passionate Plumber, I borderline hated the casting of Patricia. Irene Purcell was obviously meant for the stage and her entire performance screams this fact. (Speaking of which, there is a scene where she shrieks and screams at Buster Keaton’s Elmer and I’m pretty sure it would frighten the hair off of most cats.) In fact, after watching the movie for the first time, I even thought, “If it weren’t for Irene Purcell, this would be such a wonderful little movie.” I couldn’t believe that the same people who cast Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, and Polly Moran chose an actress who was so completely a polar opposite.

However… when I watched it recently, for the second time, I came away with a different view. “.. (they) chose an actress who was so completely a polar opposite….” – it was either luck or pure brilliance. After all, Elmer (Keaton), Julius (Durante), and Albine (Moran) are working class characters… and not necessarily at the head of the class lmao – whereas Patricia (Purcell) doesn’t even have to get her own glass of water.

She IS their polar opposite.

Would those in charge of casting realize that a stage actress without much film experience would, in fact, come across as a stage actress – rather snooty and not off-the-charts likable? For an average film situation, I’d say it’s “very possible.” For one in which Buster Keaton is involved and could, at any time, influence decisions.. I say it’s “very probable.”

Either way, this film (primarily Irene Purcell’s role in this film) is a classic example of why I ALWAYS say, “If you don’t like a particular film or star… give them another chance.” Heck, give them two or three more chances, at least.

Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante

As I often say with my reviews, I like to keep them sort, sweet, and to the point. Why?? So you won’t spend time reading how much I like it when you could be spending it finding out for yourself!

Speaking of which, the film in its entirety is below. Not time like the present for a Buster Keaton movie, I always say…

The Passionate Plumber Poster is available on Amazon. It’s a must-have for Buster Keaton, Polly Moran, or Jimmy Durante collectors.

Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante

Buster Keaton: Two of His Best Films: Steamboat Bill, Jr and The Cameraman

September 23, 2019 By Joi

Talk about a double feature! While I love all Buster Keaton movies to distraction, Steamboat Bill, Jr. and The Cameraman are two of my absolute favorites. For them to be available in a “2 for 1” package makes me especially happy. This Buster Keaton Double Bill is available on Amazon for less than $15. While I have every intention of grabbing one for myself, it’d also make a perfect gift idea for any fan of Old Hollywood and/or Buster Keaton.

Steamboat Bill, Jr.

Buster Keaton, Ernest Torrence, Tom McGuire, and Marion Byron star in one of Buster’s most popular and beloved films. I’ll always have a strong connection to this one because it was my first Buster Keaton film. It was this film that introduced me to an actor who is now one of my absolute favorites. It was also this film that made me fall head over heels in love with silent movies.

William Canning Jr. (Buster) comes to River Junction to meet his father who hasn’t seen him since he was a child. Junior isn’t AT ALL the type of son Senior was expecting or hoping for… at first, that is. By the end of the wonderful movie, he is EXACTLY the son he hopes for.

Senior Canning is being put out of business by J.J. King (Tom McGuire), who not only owns pretty much the entire town, but has recently acquired a new paddle wheel steamer that makes Canning’s older boat, the Stonewall Jackson, seem like a dinosaur.

In spite of the trouble brewing between their parents, Bill Jr. and Kitty King (J.J’s beautiful daughter) take a liking to each other. You can imagine how well this goes over with their fathers.

By the end of the movie, Bill Jr. is called upon to save his father, J.J. AND Kitty. This is one outstanding film and you’ll love every single minute.

The Cameraman

This film stars Buster Keaton and Marceline Day. After seeing a beautiful office worker, Sally (portrayed by Marceline Day), who works for MGM Newsreels, Buster decides to trade in his tin type setup for a movie camera – thinking he can impress both the beauty and MGM. Naturally, it’s a lot easier said than done and the result is absolutely hilarious. Watch for a monkey you’re sure to fall in love with.

Buster Keaton and Ernest Torrence Steamboat Bill, Jr.

From Amazon:

Steamboat Bill, Jr. – Step back in time to the golden age of classic Hollywood comedies. The hugely talented megastar of early cinema, Buster Keaton, provides hilarity in this great comedy. William (Bill) Canning, Jr. goes to River Junction to meet his father who hasn’t seen him since childhood. Neither are sure what the other’s reaction will be. But the old man has problems anyhow, he’s out of business because of the new paddle steamer which is far better than his old boat, Stonewall Jackson. But Bill falls for the daughter of the man who owns the new steamer to the dismay of both fathers. A storm hits River Junction and young Bill must save the daughter and both fathers! Action packed hilarity!

The Cameraman – Step back in time to the golden age of classic Hollywood silent comedies. Buster Keaton in one of his all-time classic films. He’s madly in love with a beautiful woman working at MGM Studios and so he decides to try and get closer to her. Problem is, he’s clumsy. He tries to make it as a motion picture cameraman, but it’s a lot harder than he thought! Lots of action and stunts as you would expect from the king of slapstick comedy.

For more information, see Buster Keaton Double Bill on Amazon.

Buster Keaton and Marion Byron Steamboat Bill, Jr.

The Best of Buster Keaton DVD Collection

September 17, 2019 By Joi

One of my favorite gifts for my birthday is pictured above – The Best of Buster Keaton DVD Set! Obsessed…. I am completely obsessed with Buster Keaton films, so this was as perfect a gift as it could be for me.

And, yes, of course I’ve already watched each of them.

Twice.

This set includes:

The General
The Goat
The Blacksmith
Steamboat Bill, Jr (my personal favorite Buster Keaton Silent Film)
Cops
The Love Nest

The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. are considered to be two of the greatest silent films of all time. In fact, Orson Welles once called The General “… the greatest comedy ever made.” High praise and very deserved.

You can find The Best of Buster Keaton DVD Set on Amazon for currently under $10.

Buster Keaton: 22 Fast Facts About a Silent Film Legend and an Old Hollywood GENIUS!

April 22, 2019 By Joi

Buster Keaton and Phyllis Haver in The Balloonatic

Joseph Frank Keaton was born on October 4, 1895 in Piqua, Kansas. He would become one of the world’s biggest stars, Buster Keaton.
Unlike many silent film stars, Buster was eager to go into movies with sound. Not only was he was blessed with a wonderful voice, he had years of stage experience behind him, so memorizing and reciting dialogue was not a problem for him.
He fractured his neck while filming Sherlock Jr. (1924) but didn’t learn about it until many years later when a doctor saw X-rays of his neck during a routine physical examination.
Sadly, he became a victim of alcoholism when he his career collapsed around 1930. He defeated the disease, however, when he married Eleanor Norris Keaton. They were married from 1940 until his death in 1966.
Keaton was voted the seventh Greatest Director of all time by Entertainment Weekly, making him the highest rated comedy director! Charles Chaplin, surprisingly (to me, anyway) did not make the list.
He was voted the 35th Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly…. let’s say it together… “Should have been higher!”
Not only did he do all his own stunts, but he often acted as a stunt double for other actors.
Wanted to become an engineer as a child.
He often surrounded himself with tall, even heavyset actors, in his films, typically in the roles of antagonists. This caused his size to seem at a much larger disadvantage, heightening the humor. Charlie Chaplin also used this clever casting trick.
Was hearing-impaired after serving in Germany fighting World War I.
In one scene in Sherlock Jr. (1924), Keaton was hanging from a tube connected to a water basin. The water poured out and washed him on to the track, fracturing his neck. The footage appears in the released film.
Buster loved to play baseball and would sometimes play between takes on the movie set.
Said he learned everything about movie-making and comedy from his friend Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle.
His 1924 film, The Navigator, was his most successful movie (financially).
He and his parents formed an acrobatic group called “The Three Keatons” in his childhood.
While there is a bit of controversy over the origin of his nickname “Buster,” I have personally read that it was attributed to him by none other than Houdini!
Houdini was once the partner of Joe Keaton (Buster’s father) in a medicine-show group. Reportedly, after he saw a young Buster fall down a set of stairs without being injured, Houdini referred to him as “Buster” and the nickname stuck.
When Buster was three years old he got his right index finger caught in a clothes wringer and it was crushed and had to be amputated at the first knuckle.
He died on the same day as Hedda Hopper.
In 1952 while remodeling his home, actor James Mason (who had purchased Keaton’s mansion) found several reels of Buster’s “lost” films and immediately recognized their wonderful historical significance. He took upon himself the responsibility for their preservation!
He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures and for Television.
His own favorite short was Hard Luck (1921) which had been considered lost until a copy was found.
Died quietly at home, in his sleep, shortly after playing cards with his wife.

Buster Keaton’s The General: Full-Length Silent Movie

April 15, 2019 By Joi

Buster Keaton took on the role of director, writer, and star in this 1926 Silent Movie classic. The film also stars Marion Mack (as Annabelle Lee, Johnnie’s love interest), Glen Cavender (Captain Anderson), and Jim Farley (General Thatcher).

Plot: Johnnie Gray (Keaton) is an engineer who LOVES his locomotive, named “The General.” When the Civil War breaks out, he is turned down for service because he’s more valuable as an engineer than a soldier. His lady love, Annabelle, mistakenly believes he is cowardly.

When Union spies capture “The General” – with Annabelle on board – Johnnie must capture both of his great loves. He chases after them, right through enemy lines and the fun ensues.

Buster Keaton always claimed that The General was his favorite of all his movies. I can certainly see why he’d feel this way.. but, personally, I’d never be able to choose a favorite Buster Keaton film – they’re all sweet perfection.

Enjoy!