Card n.7 pag. 9 BULGARIA-GOLD-FILM-BILDER

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ORIGINS and NICKNAMES

Joseph Frank Keaton, better known as Buster Keaton, is a legendary figure of American silent cinema, born on October 4, 1896 in Piqua, Kansas. The son of vaudeville artists, Keaton grew up in the entertainment world, performing on stage from an early age. His nickname, "Buster", was given to him by the famous magician Harry Houdini, after an accident in which little Keaton fell from a long ladder but got up without shedding a tear, demonstrating a resilience that would characterize his career and comic style. Keaton became famous for his physical acrobatics, deadpan expression, and ability to transform ordinary situations into extraordinary comic sequences, earning him the title of "Big Stone Face."

Postcard G.VETTORI BOLOGNA

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DEBUTS in VAUDEVILLE

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Vaudeville is a term that derives from French and indicates a theatrical genre of variety, it was popular in the United States and Canada from the early 80s of the nineteenth century until the early 30s of the twentieth century. This type of show was a collection of separate, unrelated acts, which included musicians, singers, dancers, comedians, trained animals, magicians, ventriloquists, strongmen, impersonators, and acrobats. Keaton grew up and trained in this environment, developing his comedic and physical skills that would make him famous. Buster had a start to his career in the entertainment world that almost seems like a fictional story. The son of vaudeville artists, Keaton first took the stage at just nine months old, thus beginning a life in the limelight that would leave an indelible mark on the world of cinema. His official debut took place on October 17, 1900 at the Dockstader's Theater in Wilmington, Delaware, where young Buster, at the age of five, performed with his parents in an act that combined comedy and acrobatics. His childhood was marked by extraordinary and dangerous events, such as being almost suffocated in a suitcase of costumes or being carried away by a cyclone, experiences that only strengthened his indomitable spirit and resilience. These early years of vaudeville life not only forged Keaton's character but also laid the foundation for his future career in film, where his ability to mix danger and comedy would become legendary.

"BUSTER" and SILENT CINEMA

Card n.6 pag. 10 JOSETTI FILM ALBUM N°2

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The silent film period is a fascinating and pivotal era in the history of cinema, an era in which the art of visual storytelling was at the heart of the cinematic experience. During the 1920s, Buster Keaton emerged as one of the most emblematic figures of this period, known for his stoic face and breathtaking, death-defying stunts.

Card n. 90 dell' Album MONOPOLY FILM-PICTURES

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Keaton was not only an actor, but also a director and a stuntman, and his ability to combine physical comedy with ingenious storytelling made him a pioneer of his time. His films, such as "The General" and "Steamboat Bill, Jr.," are considered masterpieces for their technical innovation, comedic timing, and ability to tell engaging stories without the use of words. These films have left an indelible mark on the medium and continue to be studied and admired for their artistic mastery. Silent cinema gave filmmakers the opportunity to explore new narrative and stylistic techniques, pushing the boundaries of what could be accomplished on screen. The lack of spoken dialogue led to a greater emphasis on visual imagery, mimicry, and body language, allowing actors like Keaton to express themselves in ways that transcended language and cultural barriers. This period also saw the rise of other silent film icons, such as Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd, each with their own distinctive style and contribution to the art of filmmaking. While silent cinema eventually gave way to sound cinema, its impact is long-lasting. The films of Keaton and his contemporaries are not only important historical documents, but also works of art that continue to entertain, inspire and amaze audiences around the world. Their legacy lives on in the continuous innovation of cinema and the passion of those who appreciate the magic of the big screen.

"Buster Keaton's Family Bond: Three Generations on the Set of 'Our Hospitality'"

Movie Poster (1923)

Lobby Card (1923)

Buster Keaton, one of the greatest comedians of silent cinema, has always had a strong bond with his family, and this bond is evident in the 1923 film "Our Hospitality". This film is not only a milestone in Keaton's career, but also a work that involves three generations of his family.
In "Our Hospitality," Buster Keaton plays the lead role of Willie McKay, while his father, Joe Keaton, plays the role of the train engineer. In addition, Buster's son, Buster Keaton Jr., appears in the film's prologue as the childish version of Willie McKay. Buster's wife, Natalie Talmadge, plays the role of Virginia Canfield, the protagonist's love interest.

The Keaton family's involvement in "Our Hospitality" is not only an example of artistic collaboration, but also a reflection of the deep family bond that characterized Buster Keaton's life. The presence of his father and son on set created a unique atmosphere and added a personal touch to the film. This family bond has contributed to making "Our Hospitality" a special work, not only for its cinematic quality, but also for its sentimental value.
The participation of Natalie Talmadge, Buster's wife, further enriched the film. Natalie, who was pregnant with their second child during filming, had to be filmed in order to hide her pregnancy. This detail adds an extra layer of intimacy and authenticity to the production.
"Our Hospitality" remains an extraordinary example of how art and family can intertwine, creating a work that is as much a tribute to creativity as it is a tribute to family ties.

DECLINE and REDISCOVERY

Card n.300 pag. 9 SALEM MOVIE PICTURES ALBUM 2

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Buster Keaton, an icon of silent cinema, faced significant challenges with the advent of sound, which changed the course of his career. During the 1930s, Keaton lost creative control over his films and struggled with personal issues, including marriage and alcoholism, which affected his professional life. However, despite these obstacles, Keaton continued to work, appearing in a variety of minor roles and contributing as a comic consultant. His resilience and innate talent for comedy allowed him to maintain a presence in the entertainment world, albeit in a reduced capacity compared to his glory days of silent cinema.

Buster Keaton / George Davisas

in dem Metro Golden-Mayer Film

"Parlor, Bedroom and Bath"

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At the same time, Keaton had the opportunity to explore new territory in the film "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath". This film, made in 1931, featured Keaton as Reggie Irving, a man who accidentally stumbles upon a series of romantic adventures. Although it was not one of his best-known works, this film offered Keaton the chance to demonstrate his versatility as an actor in an era of transition for cinema. His performance in this film, along with other works from the sound period, helped to keep his artistic legacy alive, despite the difficulties he encountered with the introduction of sound.

Card n.32 Serie CINEMA STARS (Hand Coloured Picture) 

ABDULLA & Co LTD

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La storia di Keaton è una testimonianza della tenacia e dell'adattabilità degli artisti di fronte al cambiamento. La sua capacità di navigare attraverso le acque turbolente di un'industria in evoluzione, pur mantenendo il suo spirito creativo, continua ad ispirare cineasti e comici. La televisione ha avuto un ruolo significativo nella riscoperta e celebrazione del lavoro di Buster Keaton, particolarmente durante gli anni '50. Con l'avvento della TV, il pubblico ha avuto l'opportunità di rivedere i suoi film, che hanno contribuito a riaffermare il suo status di icona del cinema muto e maestro del genere comico. Questa esposizione televisiva ha permesso alle nuove generazioni di apprezzare il suo talento unico e la sua abilità nel creare comicità visiva senza l'uso delle parole, caratteristica fondamentale del cinema muto. La sua espressione facciale impassibile, conosciuta come "The Great Stone Face", e le sue acrobazie fisiche, spesso eseguite senza l'uso di controfigure, hanno incantato il pubblico e influenzato molti artisti e registi successivi. La televisione ha quindi contribuito a mantenere vivo il suo patrimonio artistico, assicurando che il suo contributo all'arte cinematografica non fosse dimenticato. 

Card n. 203 dell' Album MONOPOL FILM-BILDER

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Buster Keaton è riconosciuto non solo come un pioniere del cinema muto, ma anche come un artista che ha saputo adattarsi e trascendere le sfide tecnologiche, passando dal cinema muto al sonoro e poi alla televisione, dimostrando una versatilità e una resilienza ammirevoli. hanno riaffermato il suo status di maestro del genere e hanno assicurato che il suo contributo all'arte cinematografica non venga dimenticato. Buster Keaton rimane un simbolo duraturo dell'era del cinema muto e un esempio di come l'arte possa trascendere le epoche e le sfide tecnologiche.

Il volto impassibile che conquistò il mondo.

“Diciotto anni di ruzzoloni e il nostro eroe è rimbalzato a Hollywood”

^{"Courtesy of the Media History Digital Library"}

^{Volume MGM Shorts Story (1937-1938)}

Nato circa quarantuno anni fa, a Pickway, Kansas, per la squadra di vaudeville di Joe e Myra Keaton, era un certo Joseph B. Jr., e quasi prima che l’inchiostro si asciugasse sul suo certificato di nascita, fu soprannominato “Buster”. Dopo tre anni di infanzia di routine, il giovane Buster acquisì le sue gambe da treno e iniziò a guadagnarsi da vivere come tumbler nell’atto di “The Three Keatons”. Diciotto anni di ruzzoloni e il nostro eroe è rimbalzato a Hollywood, da dove ha intrapreso la sua carriera cinematografica, recitando con Roscoe Arbuckle in “The Butcher Boy”. La sua carriera fu temporaneamente interrotta quando ascoltò il richiamo ai colori, e seguì un interludio in cui il giovane Keaton, come caporale nella divisione Arcobaleno dell’A.E.F., limitò la sua arte di ruzzolare a schivare i proiettili letali. Di ritorno dalle guerre, il mai sorridente Buster invase di nuovo Hollywood e, con un film dopo l’altro, iniziò a ritagliarsi la sua nicchia nella hall della fama cinematografica. Le commedie a uno e due rulli hanno portato a lungometraggi e Buster ha snocciolato successi come “Battling Butler”, “The Navigator”, “The Cameraman” e “The General”. L’arcobaleno di Keaton finalmente descrisse il suo arco narrativo e Buster “impassibile” finalmente cominciò a sorridere. Ora sta ridendo a crepapelle perché ha appena iniziato la sua carriera come regista di cortometraggi per la Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer con “Life in Sometown, U.S.A.”, il suo primo incarico. Dopo più di vent’anni a Hollywood, Buster pensa ancora che sia il posto più bello del mondo. È stato in tutti i paesi d’Europa e in quasi tutte le città degli Stati Uniti, ma la sua ambizione è quella di vivere, lavorare e morire dove si fanno foto.

Sally Eilers - Buster Keaton

dal film "Doughboys". Un film del 1930 diretto da Buster Keaton. È stato il secondo film sonoro di Keaton ed è stato definito il "film sonoro di maggior successo" di Keaton

Card n.6 pag. 29 JOSETTI FILM ALBUM N°2

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Anita Page - Buster Keaton

dal film "Free and Easy" (1930).  Diretto da Buster Keaton. È stato il primo ruolo da protagonista di Keaton in un film parlato.

Card n.1 pag. 29 JOSETTI FILM ALBUM N°2

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Tra i suoi film più famosi e influenti, "The General" del 1926 è spesso citato come il suo capolavoro, una commedia d'azione che combina abilmente slapstick e stunt mozzafiato, con Keaton che interpreta un ingegnere ferroviario durante la Guerra Civile Americana.

PLAY FILM ▶

"Sherlock Jr." del 1924 è un altro classico, dove Keaton, nei panni di un proiezionista di cinema che sogna di diventare un detective, crea una delle prime e più innovative esplorazioni del sogno e della realtà nel cinema. "Steamboat Bill, Jr." del 1928, (presente nella sezione "FILM del MESE GENNAIO 24"), è celebre per una delle scene più pericolose mai girate, in cui Keaton sfida una tempesta e la caduta della facciata di una casa. Altri film significativi includono "Seven Chances" del 1925, "Go West" del 1925 e "The Navigator" del 1924, tutti caratterizzati dalla sua inconfondibile espressione impassibile e dal suo talento fisico comico.

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"The Goat" is a 1921 American comedy short film, written, directed and starring Buster Keaton. This short film is famous for one of Keaton's most iconic scenes: a train that quickly approaches the camera and stops just in time to show a close-up of Keaton sitting at the front of the train. In one scene, Buster joins a queue for free bread, but doesn't realize he's standing in line behind two motionless mannequins. When he finally notices the mistake, the bread is already finished. At another time, Buster looks through a barred window into a police station, where the notorious killer "Dead Shot Dan" is taking a mugshot. Dan manages to take a picture of Buster without anyone noticing. After Dan's escape, the wanted man's posters show the image of Buster with his hands on bars. Buster finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when the police chief is attacked by a gangster. The smoking gun accidentally ends up in the hands of Buster, who starts running causing chaos in the city. Chased by the police, Buster meets again the young woman he had helped earlier. She invites him to dinner, but his father is the police chief who is furiously chasing him.

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"The Cameraman" from 1928 is one of his most significant works, where Keaton plays the role of a traveling photographer who falls in love with a secretary and tries to become a cinematographer to impress her. This film, Keaton's first distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is known for its mixture of comedy and pathos, as well as for its innovative use of cinematic technique. In Italy, the film is also known as "Io... and the monkey", and in 2005 it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress of the United States, recognizing its cultural, historical and aesthetic significance. The plot follows the vicissitudes of Buster, who, after buying an old camera, tries to capture interesting images for the newsreel, but his initial inexperience leads him to create overexposed and unusable footage. Despite the obstacles and humiliations, with the encouragement of Sally, the secretary he is in love with, Buster does not give up. His determination eventually leads him to film a pivotal event in Chinatown, though not without the unexpected company of a mischievous monkey who adds an extra layer of chaos and comedy to the situation. "The Cameraman" represents the culmination of Keaton's career before MGM took creative control of his films, a change that Keaton himself later called the worst mistake of his career. However, his ability to combine action, comedy, and engaging storytelling remains a go-to for filmmakers and film buffs alike. His influence extends far beyond the silent film era, inspiring generations of artists and entertainers to explore new frontiers of creativity and expression. Buster Keaton, with his deadpan face and impeccable stunts, remains a legendary figure, a master of cinematic art who was able to transform every scene into a masterpiece of timing and ingenuity.