Much has already been written about Buster Keaton's "decline" during the talkie era. What usually isn't mentioned is that while this tumultuous period chronicled Keaton's career struggles with a medium that either gave him fleeting golden moments or simply misunderstood his talents, he was, for the most part, working steadily in that medium. After being misused (or just plain stifled) by big studio bosses (notably, at MGM) who thought they knew comedy better than comedians who had done it for years (a sadly familiar story back then; just ask The Marx Brothers, who watched their film career slide downhill by unimaginative writers/producers, or Red Skelton, whose film career was wildly inconsistent, thanks to shifting studio personnel), Keaton signed on to Earle W. Hammons' Educational Films (a misleading title for a studio that produced comedies. Oh well.) in 1934 & had the opportunity to creatively participate in the making of sixteen comedy shorts. The results were probably Keaton's best work since his silent film days. Because they allowed Keaton's input, the shorts were pleasing throwbacks to Keaton at his most hilarious & most creatively ambitious. Mind you, not everything at Educational was stellar work. But for a B-movie studio, these shorts are quite well-mounted productions. Again, don't expect more personal work like the classics "The Boat" or "Cops" here. However, these shorts go in the right direction by understanding that sound should be used to punctuate scenes, and that just because it's a talking picture, not every scene should be crammed with dialogue. In fact, dialogue is only used to move the story along. Using his new "Elmer" character in these shorts, it's really still the same old Buster Keaton. Bouts with alcohol & career disappointments may have etched lines in his face for those close-ups. But he's still The Great Stone Face, reacting stoically, and moving in such a unique manner that you just had to laugh. And of course, there's the return of Buster's trademark pancake-flat porkpie hat. I won't go through each short in detail, as that would be like writing a novel. Fave moments? Buster using a homemade trapeze for practice (you have to see this one to believe it); Buster's blundering as a magician's assistant, systematically ruining the act; Buster running with a hose, letting it snap like a rubber band, and getting twirled in mid-air (I dare you to find any other comic who would try that!); an extended gag sequence with boarder Buster trying to fix a leaking roof during a rain storm; Buster performing specialty tricks/dancing; and well, just about any time Buster did a pratfall. Keaton was simply the "athletic wonder of comedy timing".
It even becomes a "family affair" in two shorts ("Palooka from Paducah" & "Love Nest on Wheels") as Buster's parents & other Keaton relatives appear.
I could go on talking about the many fine moments provided in these shorts. But why bother? Buy it & watch for yourself!
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from other countries
Robert Badgley
Buster shows what a pro he was-these shorts are good!
Reviewed in Canada on July 28, 2010
291b4aoddf5a
Keaton Educatiuonal Shorts
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2012
