Buster Keaton: The Persistence of Comedy
by Imogen Sara Smith
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Book Summary Information
Author: Imogen Sara SmithEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-05-12
ISBN: 0967591740
Number of pages: 284
Publisher: Gambit Publishing
Book Reviews of Buster Keaton: The Persistence of Comedy
Book Review: Do We Need Another Book About Keaton? Yes!
Summary: 5 Stars
Imogen Sara Smith's "Buster Keaton: The Persistence of Comedy" is a thoughtful analysis of Keaton's body of work, and an important addition to the Keaton biographies that have preceded it. Ms. Smith raises a number of very interesting points and considerations regarding Keaton as both comedian and filmmaker in this warm, heartfelt appreciation of all things Keaton. Quite clearly, this volume is a labor of love.
Beginning with his childhood days in vaudeville, chapters are devoted to each period of his career. Ms. Smith devotes a lot of thought and discussion to Keaton's most fertile silent period: his early supporting roles with Roscoe Arbuckle in the Comique 2-reelers of the late `teens, where Keaton absorbed the craft of filmmaking and quickly advanced to Arbuckle's on-screen equal; Keaton's promotion to his own 2-reel series of the early `20s, his first release the delightful and impressively self-assured "Cops;" and his wonderfully creative features of the mid- to later-`20s, with much ink devoted to his classic "The General." Keaton's ultimately-disastrous stint with MGM in the late `20s/early `30s is discussed in sad detail, followed by his uneven and occasionally unfortunate work over the remaining years, including shorts for both Educational and Columbia, as well as a multitude of bit parts in numerous features and his work in television in the `50s and `60s.
Ms. Smith's familiarity with these films is considerable, and she places the proper amount of emphasis on the influence of Keaton's private life - at times very rocky - on his work. This is a very readable and thought provoking look at one of film's most important and enjoyable filmmakers, and a welcome addition to the bookshelf of anyone wishing to revisit the Keaton oeuvre.
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