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THE GENERAL

The General is a silent comedy film starring Buster Keaton. Despite being a box office disappointment, it is widely considered one of the best silent comedies and the greatest train film. The film led to Keaton's loss of independence as a filmmaker and a restrictive contract with MGM. It is based on a true Civil War story of Union spies raiding and seizing a Confederate train. The film features incredible stunts performed by Keaton himself.

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THE GENERAL

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  1. THE GENERAL 1927 Starring Buster Keaton Produced by Joseph Schenk

  2. Love, Locomotives, and Laughs • A box office disappointment • Cost 750,000 to make; earned 500,000 in America and another 1,000,000 worldwide • Led to Keaton’s loss of independence as a film maker and a restrictive contract with MGM • Meet with criticism (called tedious and disappointing)

  3. Keaton’s greatest picture • Arguable one of the best silent comedies • Widely considered to be the greatest train film • Established comic anticipation

  4. Interesting facts • Based on a true Civil War story • Union spies raided and seized a Confederate train near Atlanta (Marietta). • They attempted to ride "The General" back into the Union, meanwhile wrecking communications, tracks, and bridges along the return way to Union-occupied Chattanooga (about 140 miles away). • Within just 10 miles of safety, the group was captured and seven of the Raiders were later hanged as spies

  5. THE COLLAPSING BRIDGE • In an unbelievable sequence filmed in long-shot - and most likely the most expensive sight gag in silent film history at $42,000 - (it was filmed in a single take that had to be perfect with an actual full-scale train - not a miniature, and a 'dummy' engineer at the controls)

  6. The Collapsing Bridge shot • filmed the bridge collapse in the conifer forest around the town of Cottage Grove, Oregon, using 500 extras from the Oregon National Guard. They all dressed up in Union uniforms and were filmed going left-to-right before changing into Confederate uniforms and were filmed going right-to-left.

  7. The Collapsing Bridge cont.. • The production company left the wreckage in the river bed after the scene was filmed. The wrecked locomotive became a minor tourist attraction for nearly twenty years. The metal of the train was salvaged for scrap during World War II.

  8. The Genius of Keaton • “The Great Stone Face” for his dead pan, emotionless expressions • In 1999 ranked the 21st greatest actor of all time! • Roger Ebert referring to his output of films that he directed and starred in from 1920 - 1929 called him the greatest actor/director of all time!

  9. The Genuis of Keaton… • Orson Welles, director of CITIZEN KANE, has stated that THE GENERAL is the greatest comedy ever made, the greatest Civil War film ever made, and perhaps the greatest film ever made

  10. The Genius of Keaton • Performed all of the stunts himself such as jumping from boxcars, rolling down hillsides, falling through the bridge to the water below, and the most dangerous - sitting on the coupling rods connecting the wheels of the train

  11. The Coupling Rod stunt • In the film the train starts gently and gradually picks up speed as it enters a shed. The visual effect of the forlorn Buster as the motion of the side rod moves him gently up and down is very poignant. But in real life, it is nearly impossible for any engineer to start any train moving this precisely. If he had not accelerated by exactly the correct amount, the rods would have moved so fast as to send Buster flying, certainly injuring or killing him.

  12. The Coupling Rod stunt • The story goes that it took considerable persuasion on Keaton’s part to persuade the engineer to go through with it. (Note: this effect could have been achieved by having another locomotive off-camera pushing Buster's engine, with far less danger to the actor.)

  13. Keaton’s life • Father owned a traveling show with HARRY HOUDINI • When Keaton was 18 months old, while Houdini was visiting, he took a long tumble down a flight of stairs. When the young toddler got up and brushed himself off, Houdini remarked, “That was a real buster!”

  14. At the age of three, Keaton began performing with his parents in The Three Keatons, a comedy sketch. Myra played the saxophone to one side, while Joe and Buster performed on center stage. The young Keaton would goad his father by disobeying him, and the elder Keaton would respond by throwing him against the scenery, into the orchestra pit, or even into the audience. A suitcase handle was sewn into Keaton's clothing to aid with the constant tossing.

  15. The act evolved as Keaton learned to take trick falls safely; he was rarely injured or bruised on stage. This knockabout style of comedy led to accusations of child abuse, and occasionally, arrest. However Keaton was always able to show the authorities that he had no bruises or broken bones. He was eventually billed as "The Little Boy Who Can't Be Damaged," with the overall act being advertised as "'The Roughest Act That Was Ever in the History of the Stage.

  16. "The secret is in landing limp and breaking the fall with a foot or a hand. It's a knack. I started so young that landing right is second nature with me. Several times I'd have been killed if I hadn't been able to land like a cat. Imitators of our act don't last long, because they can't stand the treatment.[10]

  17. THE GENERAL • Known for establishing comic anticipation • Note how everything that happens in the first train chase happens in reverse in the second train chase • We know whats coming and it makes it more funny

  18. Sources of comedy • stoic, unflappable reactions to fateful calamities,often with events going his way without much skill (his sword flying of its handle and killing a sniper!) • his ingenious and resourceful uses of machines and various objects (water tanks, a large piece of timber, a cowcatcher, a rolling artillery cannon on wheels, and unattached railroad cars), • the unpredictable forces of Nature

  19. Laughs, Locomotives and Love • The film has everything in it… • Civil war history • Action • Danger • Humor • Love • Drama

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