Buster Keaton: A Hard Act To Follow

Buster Keaton is one of my all-time favorite comedians, actors, and directors. He is also one of the best film makers I’ve seen. 

There are documentaries, and then there are love letters dressed up as documentaries. Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (1987) is very much the latter. Narrated and co-written by Keaton devotee David McGillivray and directed by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill (the same pair who did wonders with their Chaplin and Hollywood series), this BBC-produced trilogy doesn’t just trace the arc of a comedy legend it makes a strong case for Keaton being one of the most inventive minds in any medium, silent or not.

It is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen, not just about Buster but anyone. This documentary is interesting for fans and non-fans alike. I have watched it multiple times and showed it to friends to didn’t have much interest in silent movies and they ended up liking it.

Brownlow also worked on “Hollywood” (a 13-part history of the silent era that I reviewed), The Unknown Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius. This is in my top 5 of documentaries to recommend to people. I just wish it were easier to get when I wanted to see it. I had to order it from Europe to get a DVD copy of this.  You can watch all of them now on YouTube, though...below!

Buster Keaton was not only a great comedian but also a great filmmaker. Some of his special effects in Sherlock Jr and other movies stand up today and that was made in 1924. I always thought that while Chaplin had the best comedy character…Keaton was the better filmmaker.

What sets A Hard Act to Follow apart is its rhythm. It’s tightly edited, gently scored, and clearly built by people who don’t just admire Buster Keaton, they get him. And more than that, they want you to get him, too. For my money, this is the best documentary ever made about a silent-era performer. It respects the intelligence of its subject and the curiosity of its audience. If you already love Keaton, this is the companion piece you didn’t know you needed. If you’re new to him, this might be your gateway to him.

Part One (From Vaudeville to Movies):

Covers his vaudeville childhood with his parents. Because of child labor laws, his parents would claim that Buster was an adult actor. They would dress Buster to look old. This part goes through Vaudeville and up until Buster meets Roscoe Arbuckle and starts his career in movies.

Related image

Part Two (Star Without a Studio):

Part Two sums up his great silent movies. He did not work in the studio system…Buster had free rein with his movies in most of the 1920s, working for Independent film executive Joe Schenck. Part two shows some of the best scenes from his silent movies until he had to join a studio (MGM) that along with his drinking, helped ruin his career.

Related image

Part Three (Genius Recognized):

This part is the downfall and the comeback. Buster worked through the early thirties in some successful talkies, but by the end of the 30s, he was working as a gag writer. He was soon largely forgotten until he appeared in “Sunset Boulevard”, commercials, and TV. Buster was in a movie with Chaplin called Limelight in 1952. He began to be praised by historians, critics, and fans alike before he passed away in 1966.

Image result for buster keaton 1965

There is a new Buster documentary out called ‘The Great Buster: A Celebration’ by Peter Bogdanovich that I have yet to see. I plan to watch it soon. Either way, this one will be hard to beat.

Below is Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow…the complete series.

Unknown's avatar

Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

38 thoughts on “Buster Keaton: A Hard Act To Follow”

  2. Pingback: Buster Keaton: A Hard Act To Follow – MobsterTiger

    1. He was special…I would put him over Chaplin personally…as a film maker… he stood out by being still while the world around him whirled around. This bio is great whether you like silent films or not.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. I remember you pointing him out as a guest actor in a Twilight Zone episode, which sort of made that whole episode make sense in that context and he was fun in it. What is it about his way of movie-making that really makes him stand out to you? I’ve never seen one, have seen the odd clip here and there of course

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Great question! One thing that stood out…He didn’t like faking shots….in other words he didn’t like cutting. I’ll give you an example. He was a cave man with mis shaped prop ball that wasn’t all around….with a club…the other caveman threw the ball and Buster hit it and it hit the bad guy….they had over 60 takes until it was done right. Not a great gag but he would not show him hitting it…and then cut to the ball hitting the bad guy…no it was done in one shot.
      Also…Buster was CGI before CGI…some of the tricks he did they still don’t know exactly how he did them.
      This is a 5 minute video of some of his shots…only a few…the one where he is on top of the train…he broke his neck with the pressure of the water…but the ending of this shows you some amazing stuff for the 20s or now…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. We have already established our thoughts and admiration (Fan boys) of Buster. Great piece Max and prompts me to check the doc again. Unconditional love for him and his work. John Prine and Buster Keaton all in the same day. Kind of balances out the madness doesnt it?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I want to check out the Bogdanovich doc of him as well…but I don’t see how any can beat this one. I even love the little theme song they put to this one. John and Buster rides again!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. He is worth a watch…if you ever venture there…I would recommend The General, Sherlock Jr, and Steamboat Bill Jr. An incredible film maker Matt.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      2. He used surveyors equipment and other tricks that other people didn’t use….smart guy. I think you would like it.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. I think it’s great that you have become so knowledgeable about silent films and actors. My mother was born in 1920, so if somebody turned up on TV, she would name them to me because she remembered them, but I didn’t get that far into it. I’ve been meaning to ask, how are the reptile, prairie dog and St.Bernard?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Oh…they are fine. Rudy the prairie dog…we had to cut down on snacks (peanuts)….the little man was hooked on them and demanded them or he would throw a fit…he started to lose a little hair in patches…we found that he was having too many peanuts. He is not a happy camper but his hair is starting to return in the bald spots…who knew?
      The other two are fine….thank you for asking!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Must be a thing with rodents. Years ago, my sister would feed some squirrels at her house, and if the nuts weren’t there they would hurl themselves at the screen door in protest.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. LOL…yes…he puts his little hands on the cage and shakes it. His home is a 3 level cage around 5 foot tall…and he will climb up the cage even bite on the metal… but he would rather be petted than feed believe it or not.

        Like

    2. Oh my grandmother was born in the late 1800s or so…or maybe in the early 1900s…I would ask her questions about Clara Bow and other silent movie actresses and actors…I just love that period. The 20s were really close to the 60s….before the crash.

      Like

      Reply

  12. Thanks Max, they are on my’ ‘to see soonest’ list. I’ve said before but the first world war years till the talkies must have been a Hollywood whirlwind, changes everywhere. The comedic talent of those times won’t ever be beaten. Keaton and Co against Aptow and Co? Puhlease! No contest.

    Like

    Reply

  13. A friend was kind enough to record the Unknown Chaplin off PBS for me in 1983. I practically wore that tape out watching and re-watching over and over and making everyone I know watch it, too. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to find a copy of A Hard Act to Follow, but it is just as good. Their Harold Lloyd doc is terrific as well. Furthermore, I would recommend following a chap on youtube named John Bengston. His site is called Silent Locations. He is sort of a silent movie archeologist. He does brilliant work.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Funny you mention John…back in the 90s I bought a lot of books on silent movies…I bought one his on Buster’s filming locations at Tower Records. I follow him…I do like that Third Genius doc as well on Lloyd.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. I ponder how such a creative comedian as Buster Keaton would have been like today with all the special effects that today’s movies offer? He was Chaplain without the personal controversy to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I really think the sky would be the limit with him. To me, he helped CGI with some of the stunts he did. Great description of him. He didn’t have THAT character like Chaplin did but I loved it all the same.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment