Buster Keaton
The Hanover Theater in Worcester MA recently put on a fantastic afternoon of entertainment featuring films by famed silent screen artist Buster Keaton with Carl Wilson accompanying on the Wurlitzer organ. A large crowd turned out on a blustery Sunday in March to be part of this magical afternoon at the movies. The two films shown were, One Week, originally premiered in September 1920 and Sherlock Jr, originally premiered in April 1924.
Joseph Francis Keaton was born on October 4, 1895 in Piqua Kansas. The legendary magician Harry Houdini is credited with giving Buster his nickname after watching him take a hard tumble and bounce back without much fuss. He is widely quoted to have said, “that was a real buster” when the toddler fell. Buster started performing on stage with his family at the age of 5. He was a veteran performer and gifted acrobat when he moved into motion pictures. Buster began his film career in 1917. By 1920, he had his first short film premier of One Week.
Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd are widely regarded to be the three geniuses of the silent screen for comedy. Buster was an actor, director, writer, editor and stunt man. He starred in 19 short and 25 feature films. There are umpteen feature film appearances, cameos and television roles to his credit. His style of comedy was distinct. His deadpan pale expression and pork pie hat cloaked a vibrant, visual artist who had a perfect ability to convey in body language what was happening in his thoughts. He was often called, the Great Stone Face. A more clear expression of emotion and energy has not been duplicated in another actor. He is fascinating to watch move on the screen. He understood how to build tension and surprise into a scene. He was extraordinary at staging complex scenes that required expert control and timing. He used or created the latest technique with the camera to craft visual artistry set at a distance and with things in motion. Some would argue he is one of the most influential actor, director, cinematographer and editors in American film history. Certainly, the novelty of watching these films as they were presented at The Hanover Theater greatly enhanced the entertainment value. The large screen, darkly lit theater, and that organ playing away created an almost carnival atmosphere.
One Week & Sherlock Jr
One Week is a short film of twenty minutes. The plot revolves around Buster and his new bride receiving the gift of a house lot and kit house. The bride’s former boyfriend, in a moment of revenge, mixes up the numbers on the boxes and Buster puts together one crooked house. We watch as Buster and bride settle into home sweet home.
Sherlock Jr is a long film of forty-five minutes The plot revolves around Buster who has a job at the local cinema in the projection booth. He wants to become a detective and is busy reading: How To Become a Detective. Buster spends his last $1 on a box of candy for his girl. He replaces the $1 written on the box with a $4 to inflate the value of the gift. At her family home, we see Buster flirting with his girl. His rival also visiting at the house, robs her father of his pocket watch, and sells it at the pawn shop for $4. Back at the house, the watch is discovered missing, Sherlock Jr, sets about plying his new vocation. But, the rival has put the pawn ticket in Buster’s pocket. The ticket is found. The family think he stole the watch. Buster is asked to leave and not return. Back at the projection booth, a disgruntled Buster falls asleep and we watch him have a vivid walking dream. His dream self stands up, walks into the theater, walks into the film being shown and has an amazing adventure. When Buster awakes from the dream, the truth has been discovered about the theft and he reunites with his girl. Buster, a bit hapless at romance, mimics the action on screen between two lovers to woe his girl. He wins back his reputation and the girl!
The dream sequence in Sherlock Jr is often mentioned as one of his most impressive achievements on 
film. In the days of silent film, the camera was static and cranked by hand. The cameraman was a critical part of the film making process. He had to maintain a steady speed of reels per second as the action unrolled before the lens. Buster had to have spent hours preparing many of the gags we see on the screen. The dream sequence is remarkable in its use of a double image of Keaton on screen. Buster falls asleep in the projection room, his sleeping self-wakes up, steps out of his body and roams into the movie theater. When he doesn’t like the way the scene is going, he steps into the film! He becomes part of the action on screen. The dream imagery starts shifting around literally under his feet. We watch as Buster appears in different landscapes in rapid succession. He is on an iceberg, a mountain top, in a lion’s den, at the ocean, in the desert, etc… All in the blink of an eye. The amazing thing is that his position is perfect to the change in scenery. I believe he used a surveyor in order to make sure he appeared in the exact same spot with each shift in the landscape. It was a brilliant visual cinema achievement. Click on this link to watch the Dream Sequence.
Keaton’s Magic
The synopsis of the films reveals a solid plot for each story. Buster’s characters lead, rich, full lives. They routinely win the affections of the girl and marry. He is usually gainfully employed or finds clever ways to make ends meet. He is a jack of all trades. He can be dressed like a vagabond or strutting about in tails. Above all, he rolls along with what life dishes out and comes out a winner. He has a healthy moral base that others take advantage of. Despite the rough and tumble life depicted in many of his films, he always tries to keep to his beliefs and carry on. His day is filled with one adventure after another. Buster’s characters are charming and reveal a keen perception of day to day life. His insight into human behavior helped him connect to his audience as a man, as one of us and as one whom we’d most like to be. He is a hero where you’d least expect to find one.
“Down through the years my face has been called a sour puss, a dead pan, a frozen face, The Great Stone Face, and, believe it or not, “a tragic mask.” On the other hand that kindly critic, the late James Agee, described my face as ranking “almost with Lincoln’s as an early American archetype, it was haunting, handsome, almost beautiful.” I can’t imagine what the great rail splitter’s reaction would have been to this, though I sure was pleased.”
― Buster Keaton, My Wonderful World of Slapstick
The films were highly entertaining, imaginative and fun to watch. The Wurlitzer organ gave the story musical life and exciting drama. An occasional placard would appear on screen to help the audience understand the story. However, they are few and far between. The movements, gestures and expressions clearly take the viewer along on an adventure. It’s cool to appreciate how funny Buster was and still is in 2015. The comedy is a little knock’em down at moments, but largely it is how Buster gets himself in or out of a predicament. How he makes the best of it despite circumstances. Buster’s stance is somehow nestled in sweetness and the appearance of composure in the midst of unending chaos swirling around him as he never gives up and never gives in. In his graceful, acrobatic manner, he steps into the light and carries on. There is something beautiful and enduring about Buster Keaton. If ever the opportunity comes to see one of his many outstanding feature films such as: The General, The Navigator, Our Hospitality or Steam Boat Bill Jr., go, take your family, your friends or yourself for an afternoon of first class comedy and entertainment.
In a rating of 5 stars: One Week 5 stars, Sherlock JR 7 stars
Film: One Week (1920) Cast: Buster Keaton, Sybil Seel
Directed and Written by: Edward Cline, Buster Keaton
Produced by: Joseph M Schenck
Premier Release Date: September 1, 1920 1st Keaton short film
Length: 20 minutes
Film: Sherlock Jr. (1924) Cast: Buster Keaton, Kathy McGuire, Joe Keaton, Ward Crane, Erwin Connelly.
Directed by Buster Keaton
Produced by Joseph Schenck and Buster Keaton
Premier Release Date: April 21, 1924
Length: 46 minutes
Written by Frances Ann Wychorski April 2015
@FrancesAnnWy2015
Houdini is now at Dakin Humane Society in Leverett MA. This is a compassionate adoption center in the Pioneer Valley near UMass Amherst. If anybody wants a charming and mischievous house cat, consider Houdini. He is about 10 years old. Has four white booties with a grey and black striped coat. He’s a little on the slender side still but getting better every day. He is wily, enjoys being allowed outside every day, uses the litter box, knows how to use a pet door, doesn’t scratch furniture, and not a finicky eater. He won’t initiate a tussle, but if the other cat pushes, he will take care of himself. He does not seem to like dogs and prefers a quiet, small household. He will follow you around and show the love for being in a home.
As we usher past the Independence Day celebration, on comes the reason to take the back roads to Derrick Farms. With trusty old pail in hand, I arrive and settle at my blueberry bush. How I love these summer late afternoons with nothing to do but pick berries. The mellow setting sun is warm as the crickets chirp in the fields. The bowed branches wait eagerly for our fingers.
When the pail can take no more, the bounty is weighed and it’s time to go. The berries rarely make it into a pie. A splash of water and they’re ready enough. The season this year will be short. The sun tends to hide and the warmth of summer has been most tardy. The dusty old sign on the way out says, Auf Wiedersehen, until we meet again. Blueberry season has begun. I’ll be around by and by.
LuceStellare 