The Saphead 1920 Directed by Herbert Blache Metro Pictures B/W

Wedding postponed!

This was the film version of “The New Henrietta” that was first a Broadway hit in 1887 and then revived in 1913 with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. as Bertie Van Alstyne. Joe Schenck encouraged Lowes to cast Buster as Bertie in his first appearance in a feature film.

Buster proved he was an actor and not just a comedian in this first outing. Variety wrote “As for Buster, a cyclone when called upon, his quiet work in this picture is a revelation”.

It was while Buster was making this picture that Joe Schenck bought him his own studio.

Three Ages 1923 Directed by Buster Keaton/Edward Cline Metro/Keaton Prod. B/W

Buster in the lion's den!

The first feature length comedy out of the Buster Keaton Studio was a parody of D.W. Griffith’s “Intolerance”. It was a story of love through the ages done in 3 two-reelers so that if the whole movie didn’t work it could be reduced to each of its parts.

Buster was now married to Natalie Talmadge. She received his paychecks, decided where they would live, spent $900 a week for clothes and named their children. When their first son was born, Buster wanted him to be the sixth Joseph in his family but Natalie had the baby christened James Talmadge Keaton. Later when they had a second son, he was called Robert Talmadge Keaton and Buster was sent to the guest room. After they divorced, Natalie had their last name erased.

The General 1926 Directed by Buster Keaton/Clyde Bruckman UA/Keaton Prod. B/W

On the cowcatcher!

This was probably Buster Keaton’s finest film. It was based on an actual Civil War incident and Buster used the event again when he wrote for MGM’s “A Southern Yankee” with Red Skelton.

It had to be shot on location in Oregon to get the right atmosphere and an authentic railroad. The film’s most spectacular sequence was when the train collapsed from a burning trestle into the river. Unfortunately it actually started a small forest fire! The scene was the most expensive single shot in silent film history costing $42,000 and people came from all over Oregon to watch it done. It was also Buster’s personal favorite because he got to do it his way…writing, directing and acting in it.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. 1928 Directed by Charles Reisner UA/Keaton Prod. B/W

Whew! It missed him!

This film contained one of the most famous moments in Keaton’s movies and probably the most dangerous. It is the scene where the front of a building falls on him and he escapes miraculously through an open window. The director couldn’t even watch as they filmed it because that front, moving on a base plate and hinges, weighted several thousand pounds! One false move and no more Buster! Needless to say, they did only one take.

But that wasn’t the only thing about to fall on Buster. MGM was taking over the studio, his wife was leaving him and drinking was becoming second nature.

The Hollywood Revue of 1929 Directed by Charles Reisner MGM B/W

Princess Rajah

This was one of those “constructed” films where every star on the lot puts in their two cents. It was Buster’s first talking picture and he did it…without a word!

He performed his “Princess Rajah” skit that he originated in the army and it was one of the film's highlights even though it was a silent bit in a talking movie! The 2-strip color finale was the other winner when the entire cast donned raingear and sang “Singing In The Rain”.

But Buster was hampered by the rigidity of the scripts that never allowed for ad-lib dialogue or improvised pratfalls. When Buster could no longer control the gags, he found it very difficult to be funny.

The Invader 1936 Directed by Pelham Leigh Amen MGM B/W

Looking for trouble!

Based on Buster’s own story idea and gags he wrote, this film came closer to “doing it his way” than anything he had done in years. But it was a failure in Britain where it was filmed and not so hot in the US either. From 1933 to 1935, Buster’s life was at rock bottom.

When Buster and Mae (the nurse he married in 1933) returned home, he was faced with an IRS back taxes writ for $28,000. Soon after Mae left him over an affair with a wealthy socialite but not before taking half of everything he owned including the silver. But what bothered Buster most was…..she also took his dog. In October, 1935 Buster was drinking so heavily that he was hospitalized for a week When he got home, he had two drinks and swore off for the next 5 years.

The Villain Still Pursues Her 1940 Directed by Edward Cline MGM B/W

Hear This!

Buster was still writing gags and doing comedy consultations at MGM, making 2-reel shorts for Columbia and doing occasional roles for other studios. This movie for RKO was one of the supporting roles that came his way when parts were hard to come by. It was an exaggerated version of a mid-19 th century stage melodrama but Buster was glad to be sober and working again.

It was just about this time he met MGM dancer Eleanor Ruth Norris and found that love hasn’t passed him by. Eleanor was 21 to his 45 but the years between them didn’t seem to matter. Against all odds and the advice of friends they tied the knot on May 29th, 1940 and left on their honeymoon. They went fishing!

Limelight 1952 Directed by Charles Chaplin UA B/W

It goes like this..!

Buster considered this one of the most exciting projects of that decade. He considered Chaplin to be a comedic genius. But even today audiences regard it as the pairing to two geniuses at their best.

Back home, television was beckoning and after guesting on the Ed Sullivan Show, Buster was offered his own variety show on KTTV in Los Angeles . He called in his old gagman Clyde Bruckman. Clyde had been friend since vaudeville days. But less than 3 years later, Clyde asked Buster to borrow a gun for target shooting and killed himself in a downtown restaurant. Buster never forgave himself for not seeing Clyde’s pain.