“GENIUS AT LARGE”

By Raymond Benson

Apparently, the classic silent features of Buster Keaton are now in public domain, which explains why more than one DVD/Blu-ray company can do individual restorations and put them out for consumer consumption. For example, both Kino Video and Cohen Film Collection have released “new restoration” Blu-ray packages of Keaton’s films. Cohen sent Cinema Retro some review copies of theirs, so this review reflects this group’s presentations of these wonderful films that showcase a genius at large.

In all three volumes, the titles underwent 4K restorations and look marvelous, with audio options of 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 5.1 Dolby Digital. The packaging on Volumes 2 and 3 indicate that the restorations were done by Cineteca di Bologna at L’Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory in association with Cohen Film Collection—one can assume that Volume 1 is the same.

VOLUME 1 contains The General (1926) and Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928), two of Keaton’s most celebrated works. Note that The General’s release date is often cited as 1927, when it was actually released in the U.S. Technically, though, its premiere was in Japan (!), of all places, in December 1926. IMDb designates the film’s release as 1926, while many American publications will say 1927.

The General (directed by Keaton and Clyde Bruckman), despite featuring a Civil War-era story in which the Confederates are the “good guys,” is an unequivocal comic masterpiece, often named Keaton’s best picture. Keaton is a train engineer named Johnnie, who is in love with Annabelle (Marion Mack) and a locomotive called the General. Much of the tale involves Johnnie hustling to get his locomotive back, as it has been snatched by the Union. Full of action and inventive comedy bits, The General might be Keaton’s most technically ambitious picture, and certainly his most expensive ($750,000, which was a huge sum back then). Surprisingly, the film was not a hit at the time of release, and it set back Keaton’s stock in the industry. It was only after years of film buff analysis that The General was rediscovered and awarded the reputation it holds today.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (directed by Charles Reisner) contains many of the fabulous stunts for which Keaton is known, such as when a house facade falls over and barely misses him since he was standing precisely where an open window was positioned. Keaton is William Canfield Jr., and his father “Steamboat Bill,” owns a luxury steamboat that is in competition with Jr.’s girlfriend’s father’s ship. The movie is a game of one-upmanship between the rivals, with the usual mis-matched romance and action hijinks. Some may consider this sacrilege, but I prefer Steamboat Bill, Jr. over The General!

Both films feature orchestral scores by Carl Davis. Supplements are two shorts seemingly excerpted from Peter Bogdanovich’s 2018 documentary, The Great Buster—“Reflections on The General” and “Buster Keaton: The Luminary”, plus trailers for both films. Oddly, the illustrated inner booklet contains the credits for Steamboat Bill, Jr. but leaves out The General.

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