Three Ages (1923)

 

Eureka continues to bring us classic restored Buster Keaton on Blu-ray, making the world is a better place for it. Up this time, and out for its 100th anniversary, is THREE AGES, Keaton's first feature as star, writer and co-director. It's based around the theme of love being eternal and to illustrate this we see three tales set in three different time periods.

First up in 'The Stone Age' in which caveman Buster, riding around on his pet dinosaur (a nice bit of stop motion animation) spies the girls of his dreams (Margaret Leahy) and has to woo her away from the charms of his rival (Wallace Beery)

The second time period is 'The Roman Era' where again Keaton is seeking the love of Leahy and having to avoid Beery whilst also competing in a chariot race where his chariot is pulled by dogs, and deal with a lion in his jail cell.

The third period is 'The Present'. It's the same story and the same actors again but in this one the gags and stunts are more over the top and involve fire engines, cars falling to pieces and plunges from an improbably height. The three stories weave in and out of each other and the film as a whole is a spoof of D W Griffith's classic INTOLERANCE. 

Eureka's disc comes with a stack of extras. David Kalat provides commentary duties. "Keaton is timeless," he says before launching into an erudite and extremely listenable account of the film. In This Side of the Impossible David Cairns provides a short (16 mins) video essay about the film, while in Under the Flat Hat Fiona Watson argues the case for Keaton being neuroatypical. Ian Lavender, star of stage screen and Dad's Army talks Keaton for 15 minutes, which John Bengtson provides a tour of the film's locations. 

Keaton himself speaks in four short audio pieces, mainly excerpts from radio interviews, and also appears in a short commercial for Alka Seltzer Finally, an excerpt from the segment 'Man's Genesis' from INTOLERANCE is provided so you can see exactly what Keaton was making fun of. The disc also comes with a collector's booklet and O-Card slipcase for the first 2000

Buster Keaton's THREE AGES is out on Blu-ray from Eureka on Monday 21st August 2023

The Saphead (1920)

Eureka continues its Buster Keaton Blu-ray releases with THE SAPHEAD, the first feature-length movie to topline him in after he had established himself as a star in numerous two-reelers.

Bertie Van Alstyne (Keaton) is the son of Nicholas Van Alstyne (William H Crane), a super-rich Wall Street businessman. When Bertie and his father's ward Agnes (Beulah Booker) announce their intention to marry, Van Alstyne senior cuts Bertie off with a mere $1 million for Bertie to go out and make something of himself, leading to him trying to make a go of it in the stock market.

Adapted from a popular 1913 play, THE SAPHEAD was originally intended for Douglas Fairbanjks who had played the role on stage. It's therefore not surprising that Keaton, denied the considerable input he would be allowed later on, doesn't get the chance to dazzle with the kinds of feats of athletic physical comedy he is well known for. As such THE SAPHEAD may prove disappointing for some, but as long as you go in expecting more of a straightforward comedy typical of the period you won't be disappointed.

Eureka's Blu-ray comes with a commentary track from film historian David Kalat that provides contextualisation in terms of Keaton's career and the Hollywood industry of the period. Also included is a complete alternate version consisting of different camera angles and alternate takes. A Pair of Sapheads directly compares the two versions of the film.

THE SCRIBE is a 29 minute safety film from 1966 starring Keaton as a janitor in his final film role, and there's also a commentary for it from John Sebert, the film's director. Bubbling Gravity is a new video essay by David Cairns about both the making of the film and the play that inspired it. There's also a stack of audio interview material. The longest is an interview between Keaton and Kevin Brownlow from 1964. It's divided into two parts and last nearly two hours in total. then there's an 84 minute Eastman House interview from 1958 that lasts 84 minutes, and finally eight minutes of excerpts from an interview with Torsten Jungstedt from 1958. Finally, there's a collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film.

THE SAPHEAD is out from Eureka on Blu-Ray on Monday 22nd August 2022. The first 2000 copies come with an O-Card slipcase

Buster Keaton: Three Films Volume 3 (1923-27)

"Even More Restored Keaton!"

Once again we have Eureka continuing the essential work of ensuring there are as many Buster Keaton 2K & 4K restorations on Blu-ray on UK shelves as possible with the release of three more of his longer works. I previously reviewed Volume One in the series here, Volume Two here and Eureka's impressive box set of Keaton's short work here. As with the previous two volumes this one comes with a 60 page book and a wealth of extras on the discs. Let's take a look at what we get this time:

Our Hospitality (1923)

A breakthrough movie for Keaton in particular and film comedy in general, OUR HOSPITALITY features some fascinating attention to period detail (it's set in the early 1800s) including what looks like a working version of Stevenson's Rocket. Our unwitting hero turns out to be a member of one of two feuding families and has to go to absurd lengths to avoid being killed. A remarkable (and remarkably dangerous-looking) climax involving rapids is just one of the highlights on offer here. 

Eureka's print is a 2K restoration and you get the options of playing it with a Carl Davis score or a commentary track by silent film historian Rob Farr. Extras include an early, shorter, workprint version of the film (entitled HOSPITALITY) which also comes with an optional commentary, this time from Buster Keaton expert Polly Rose. There's also a splendid 26 minute video essay by Patricia Eliot Tobias that contextualises the film both in Keaton's career and US silent movie comedy of the period, and a stills gallery.

Go West (1925)

If you've been watching all the films in all the Keaton sets so far this one may feel like a bit of a change of pace. It's still a comedy, and there's an amazing set piece to end the film that seems to feature hundreds of cows, but the story of pauper Friendless (Keaton) heading out to the wild west and befriending a cow (Brown Eyes who gets her own screen credit) before attempting to save her from slaughter, is more measured in its telling. The comedy routines and stunts aren't as plentiful or as rapid fire as in his other pictures. There's still plenty to enjoy but this isn't the film to watch if it's your first Keaton.

Eureka's print is from a 4K restoration. This time the soundtrack options are a score by Rodney Sauer (which I'll admit I thought could have done with being rather more frenetic as the film reached its climax) or an audio commentary by film historians Joel Goss and Bruce Lawton. A Window on Keaton is a 28 minute video essay by David Cairns and John Bengston provides another video essay on the filming locations for GO WEST. There's also the 11 minute comedy short GO WEST (1923) and a stills gallery.

College (1927)

Pro-academe anti-sports Ronald (our hero) finds that the only way he can get his girl at college is to become an athlete, which he proceeds to achieve in his own unique style. Like GO WEST this is very much one long build up to an entertaining set-piece payoff with some amusing sight gags along the way, but don't expect frequent stunts or breathtaking physical situations. 

Eureka's print is a 2K restoration with a Rodney Sauer score. No commentary track for this one but you do get Silent Echoes, a 10 minute video essay by John Bengston on the film. Also included is THE RAILRODDER (1965), technically Keaton's final silent film (and in colour!) which comes either with or without commentary by director Gerald Potterton and DP David De Volpi. BUSTER KEATON RIDES AGAIN (1965) is a nearly hour-long documentary filmed at the time of THE RAILRODDER and going behind the scenes. There's the option of playing this with a live Q&A conducted  in 2018 with the director and DP of the movie. There are also stills galleries for both COLLEGE and THE RAILRODDER on this disc.

        The accompanying 60 page book contains new writing on all three films and the whole set comes in a limited edition hardbound slipcase to match the other two sets. Get them all and spend the week laughing and marvelling at a unique talent. More fantastic work from Eureka.

Buster Keaton: Three Films Volume 3 is out on Blu-ray from Eureka on Monday 24th August 2020

Buster Keaton: Three Films Volume 2 (1924-26)

"More 4K Keaton!"

Eureka continues its essential work of ensuring there are as many Buster Keaton 4K restorations on Blu-ray on UK shelves as possible with the release of three more of his longer works. I previously reviewed Volume One in the series here and Eureka's impressive box set of Keaton's short work here. As with the previous volume this one comes with a 60 page book and a wealth of extras on the discs. So what do we get this time around?

The Navigator (1924)

Coming after SHERLOCK JR, THE NAVIGATOR was the biggest hit of Keaton's career. He plays rich Rollo Treadway, who gets on the wrong boat after plans for a honeymoon in Honolulu go awry. However, his bride to be, Betsy (Kathryn McGuire) has also got on the same boat and together they find themselves adrift and alone, without a clue how to power the vessel, or even cook dinner. Encounters with cannibals and creatures of the deep do not help. 

Extras include a commentary track by film historians Robert Arkus and Yair Solan, Boats Brides & Boxers -  a 34 minute video essay by David Cairns covering all three films in the set, and Of Buster, Boats, Other Seacfraft and Working on THE NAVIGATOR, a nine minute featurette by Bruce Lawton.

Seven Chances (1925)

Buster is Jimmy Shannon, junior partner in a law firm that is horrifically in debt. His problems may be solved when he inherits seven million dollars.The only problem is he has to be married by the end of the day. A climax that involves Keaton being chased by hundreds of potential brides through a number of increasingly perilous-looking set-pieces makes SEVEN CHANCES possibly the highlight of the set. 

Extras include a commentary track from Joel Goss and Bruce Lawton and there's an extra twenty minute Keaton short, WHAT! NO SPINACH? as well.

Battling Butler (1926)

Keaton is rich spoiled dandy Alfred Butler, sent into the wilderness to 'be a man' by his father. With only his trusty manservant, a huge tent, several suit changes and enough posh gear to equip an army, Alfred discovers love in the mountains. However, the girl's family only agrees to allow him to marry after they are led to believe he is another Alfred Butler, prizewinning lightweight boxer who is shortly due to take on The Alabama Murderer. Apparently BATTLING BUTLER was one of Martin Scorsese's inspirations when making 1980's RAGING BULL.

Extras on this disc are five different audio interviews with Buster Keaton adding up to three hours' worth of material, as well as the trailer for the film.

      The accompanying book contains new writing on all three films and the whole thing comes in the kind of limited edition hardbound slipcase that this kind of set deserves. Another winner from Eureka,

Buster Keaton: Three Films Volume 2 is out on Blu-ray from Eureka on Monday 30th March 2020

Buster Keaton: Three Films (1924, 1926 and 1928)

"4K Keaton!"

Yes indeed, Eureka have done a fine job here in giving a UK Blu-ray release to three Buster Keaton classics, and they've never looked so good. The package comes with a wealth of extras and a 60-page book as well. I reviewed Eureka's excellent four disc set of Keaton's complete short films here just over a year ago, and it's a delight to see them bringing out some of his longer work. So what's included?

Sherlock Jr (1924)

Keaton plays a film projectionist who is studying to be a detective in his spare time. When a watch goes missing he finds himself implicated and, while trying to clear his name, he ends up falling asleep in the projection booth. Cue an ambitious dream sequence in which Keaton steps into the film playing on the cinema screen and assumes the mantle of Sherlock Jr. Like all the films in the set, SHERLOCK JR begins quite slowly, but that's just because Keaton is a master at setting up and layering his remarkably creative gags.

Extras include an audio commentary by film historian David Kalat, a tour of the filming locations, a featurette, and a video interview with film scholar Peter Kramer. 

The General (1926)

The American civil war. When Johnnie Gray is denied the opportunity to enlist in the Confederacy because they believe his skills as a train driver are more useful to the cause, he finds himself becoming involved in the war anyway when Union soldiers steal his locomotive. With virtually no dialogue for lengthy parts of it, lots of amazing chase sequence and stunts, some quite breathtaking scenes of destruction, and huge numbers of extras, THE GENERAL looks like it must have cost a fortune.

Considered by many to be Keaton's masterpiece, watching this you can totally understand why it's still on so many people's all-time cinema best lists. Keaton uses his budget to great effect and this really is the perfect demonstration of skilled and unique artist at the very height of his powers.

Extras include a touching introduction by Orson Welles and a fairly scary one by Gloria Swanson. There's also a location tour, home movie footage, plus a new 52 minute documentary 'Buster Keaton: The Genius Destroyed by Hollywood'. You also get a brand new score to the film from Carl Davis.

Steamboat Bill, Jr (1928)

The final film in the set details a steamboat captain's horror when he is reunited with his son (Keaton) who turns out to be a black beret-wearing ukelele player (both obviously activities worthy of disdain back in the 1920s). Our hero's father tries to toughen him up but to no avail. Culminating with one of the most epic scenes of actual destruction as a typhoon hits the town, this is the one where the front of a house falls on top of Keaton and he stays standing because he's positioned just right to fit through a window. So many things get destroyed or pulled to pieces that Michael Bay and Roland Emmerich must surely have this one on their all-time top ten list. And I have never laughed so much at someone trying on a hat.

Extras include a video essay on the making of the film, plus there's another brand new score from Carl Davis. Also included in the set is a book with new writing on the film by Philip Kemp, notes on each film, archival writings, and the Keaton Family Scrapbook with lots and lots of archival imagery. A superb set. 

BUSTER KEATON: THREE FILMS is out on Blu-ray from Eureka on Monday 6th November 2017

Buster Keaton: The Complete Short Films (1917 - 1923)

"Timeless comedy"

Previously available only on DVD, Eureka are now releasing the complete short films of Buster Keaton on Blu-ray in an impressive four disc set.

Ikea house?

And it IS impressive. What you get here is all of Keaton’s two reelers that he made between 1917 and 1923. That means thirty two films, each running around twenty minutes, with a total collective running time of nearly nine and half hours.

It will fly by, though. What’s immediately obvious on watching these is that the comedy is timeless, and that, even though some of the restorations are still rather scratchy, the skill and timing at work here shines through despite the limitations of the medium.

The threat of imprisonment features quite a bit in these

An inspiration for pretty much all comedy that followed, Buster Keaton’s influence can be felt on everything from the movies of Jackie Chan to the BBC show The Goodies, from Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoons to the films of Jacques Tati. Each short takes a basic - sometimes off-kilter - premise (Buster is a blacksmith, Buster gets married in Polish by mistake) and then runs with it. As soon as the comic potential of a scene is exhausted it’s onto the next one, sometimes linked by the most spurious of threads. 

And, of course, lots of them end in chases - through LA, around and up and down houses, through the wastelands of the frozen north, and so on, with remarkably resourceful comic use of various props found along the way. 

A night at the opera

Eureka’s Blu-ray set offers new 1080p restorations. As well as the films themselves we get alternate endings for CONEY ISLAND and MY WIFE’S RELATIONS, a pre-release version of THE BLACKSMITH that contains four minutes of extra footage, and there’s often the option of multiple music scores. Joseph McBride provides commentary tracks on six films. 

There’s a new exclusive video essay by David Cairns entitled That’s Some Buster, as well as an introduction by preservationist Serge Bromberg, actor Pierre Étaix discussing The Art of Buster Keaton, and audio of Buster at a party in 1962.

Fantastic acrobatic work in COPS

Finally, you get a massive 184 page book that includes a roundtable discussion on Keaton, detailed notes on each (!) film, a new essay on both versions of THE BLACKSMITH, as well as archival imagery, a chapter on the music, advice on further reading, and more. Truly impressive.

Shame

I’ll conclude this review by saying my plan was to watch these discs and then suggest which of Keaton’s shorts were most worth watching. But that wouldn’t be fair to him or to you, because actually they’re all great. There isn’t a single film here that doesn’t have its moments of startling creativity or laugh-out-loud comedy. My advice? Grab this set, free up a weekend, start on disc one and prepare to be amazed, impressed and astounded. And to laugh. Lots and lots and lots. 

Eureka are releasing BUSTER KEATON: THE COMPLETE SHORT FILMS 1917 - 1923 on Region B Blu-ray on 

Monday 25th July