The Fall of Buster Keaton: His Films for MGM, Educational Pictures, and Columbia

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Scarecrow Press, 16 jul 2010 - 242 páginas
Born into a family of vaudevillians, Buster Keaton made his first film appearance in 1917 at the age of 21. By the early 1920s, he had established himself as one of the geniuses of silent cinema with such films as Sherlock, Jr. and The Navigator and his 1925 work, The General, placed at number 18 in the American Film Institute's poll of the 100 greatest features, the highest ranked silent film on the survey. But with the advent of sound in the late 1920s, silent stars like Keaton began to fall out of favor and the great comedian's career began to decline.

In The Fall of Buster Keaton, James Neibaur assesses Keaton's work during the talking picture era, especially those made at MGM, Educational, and Columbia studios. While giving some attention to the early part of Keaton's career, Neibaur focuses on Keaton's contract work with the three studios, as well as his subsequent work as a gagman, supporting player, and television pitchman. The book also recounts the resurgence of interest in Keaton's silent work, which resulted in a lifetime achievement Oscar and worldwide recognition before his death in 1966. This fascinating account of an artist's struggle and triumph during the more challenging period of his career will be of interest to anyone wanting to learn about one of film's most influential performers.
 

Índice

Ch01 The Rise of Buster Keaton
1
Ch02 MGM
11
Ch03 The Florida Project
75
Ch04 Educational Pictures
79
Ch05 Back at MGM
129
Ch06 Columbia Pictures
135
Ch07 Supporting Appearancesin the 1940s and 50s
175
Ch08 Buster Keaton on Television
183
Ch09 The Industrial Films
191
Ch10 Keaton in the 1960s
195
Afterword
207
Appendix
211
Select Annotated Bibliography
213
Index
217
About the Author
227
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Sobre el autor (2010)

James L. Neibaur is a film historian and educator, who has written hundreds of articles including over 40 essays in the Encyclopedia Britannica. He is the author of several books on film, including Arbuckle and Keaton: Their 14 Film Collaborations (2005) and Chaplin at Essanay: A Film Artist in Transition, 1915-1916 (2008).

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