10/10
Buster Keaton Rides Again is a highly interesting documentary about the man's experience filming The Railrodder
11 June 2011
After viewing The Railrodder on the National Film Board of Canada site as linked from Mark Evanier's, I then decided to watch this documentary about the making of that on the same sources I just listed. It's a fascinating chronicle of star Buster Keaton's travails during 1964 with his wife Eleanor and the short's director Gerald Potterton in tow. Besides many events that happened to them during the year I mentioned, we also see still photos of Buster's early life and career as well as highlights of what is considered his masterpiece, The General. One of the short's crew also mentions an early neck injury Keaton suffered when water from a tower fell on him but he didn't know it at the time. That happened on Sherlock Jr. which I just watched a few weeks ago at an outside venue. Also fascinating was seeing Buster basically co-directing with Potterton whether dealing with some men running from his railcar or disagreeing about whether to use a gag involving a large piece of paper over a high bridge. We also get to hear him sing something while playing a ukulele. I think I've said enough so I'll just say if you're a die-hard Keaton fan, Buster Keaton Rides Again comes highly recommended.
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