The General (1926)
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- Passed
- 1h 18min
- Action, Adventure
- 02 Jan 1927 (USA)
- Movie
After being rejected by the Confederate military, not realizing it was due to his crucial civilian role, an engineer must single-handedly recapture his beloved locomotive after it is seized by Union spies and return it through enemy lines.
Directors:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 2 wins & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Buster Keaton | ... |
Johnnie Gray
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| Marion Mack | ... |
Annabelle Lee
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| Glen Cavender | ... |
Captain Anderson
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| Jim Farley | ... |
General Thatcher
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Frederick Vroom | ... |
A Southern General
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Frank Barnes | ... |
Her Brother
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Charles Henry Smith | ... |
Her Father
(as Charles Smith)
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| Joe Keaton | ... |
Union General
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| Mike Donlin | ... |
Union General
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Tom Nawn | ... |
Union General
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Henry Baird | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Joe Bricher | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Jimmy Bryant | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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Sergeant Bukowski | ... |
Officer (uncredited)
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C.C. Cruson | ... |
Officer (uncredited)
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Jack Dempster | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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Keith Fennell | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Budd Fine | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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Eddie Foster | ... |
Union Railroad Fireman (uncredited)
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Ronald Gilstrap | ... |
Union Soldier (uncredited)
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| Frank Hagney | ... |
Confederate Recruiter (uncredited)
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| Ray Hanford | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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| Jack Hanlon | ... |
Bit Part (uncredited)
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Al Hanson | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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Anthony Harvey | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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| Edward Hearn | ... |
Union Officer (uncredited)
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Hilliard Karr | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Elgin Lessley | ... |
Union General Who Gives Command to Cross Bridge (uncredited)
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Louis Lewyn | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Jackie Lowe | ... |
Boy Who Follows Johnny (uncredited)
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Billy Lynn | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Ross McCutcheon | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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Tom Moran | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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Charles Phillips | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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Red Rial | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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| Al St. John | ... |
Officer on Horseback (uncredited)
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Harold Terry | ... |
Union Soldier (uncredited)
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Ray Thomas | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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Red Thompson | ... |
Raider (uncredited)
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James Walsh | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Kenneth Hawley Ward | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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John Wilson | ... |
Union Soldier (uncredited)
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Jean Woodward | ... |
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Clyde Bruckman | ||
| Buster Keaton | ||
Written by
| Buster Keaton | ... | (written by) and |
| Clyde Bruckman | ... | (written by) |
| Al Boasberg | ... | (adapted by) and |
| Charles Henry Smith | ... | (adapted by) (as Charles Smith) |
| William Pittenger | ... | (book "Daring and Suffering: a History of the Great Railroad Adventure") (uncredited) |
| William Pittenger | ... | (memoir "The Great Locomotive Chase") (uncredited) |
| Paul Gerard Smith | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| Buster Keaton | ... | producer (uncredited) |
| Joseph M. Schenck | ... | executive producer (uncredited) / producer (uncredited) |
Music by
| The Alloy Orchestra | ||
| Carl Davis | ... | (1987) |
| Robert Israel | ... | (1995 New Score) |
| Konrad Elfers | ... | (uncredited) (1962 re-issue) |
| Joe Hisaishi | ... | (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| Bert Haines | ... | (photographed by) |
| Devereaux Jennings | ... | (photographed by) (as Dev Jennings) |
Editing by
| Buster Keaton | ... | (uncredited) |
| Sherman Kell | ... | (uncredited) |
Editorial Department
| Harry Barnes | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
| D.C. Cardinali | ... | colorist: remastered hd version: new version (uncredited) |
| Sherman Kell | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Art Direction by
| Fred Gabourie | ... | (uncredited) |
Set Decoration by
| Harry Roselotte | ... | (uncredited) |
Makeup Department
| Bennie Hubbel | ... | assistant makeup artist (uncredited) |
| J.K. Pitcarin | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
| Fred Carlton Ryle | ... | makeup artist (uncredited) |
Production Management
| Lou Anger | ... | production supervisor (uncredited) |
| Fred Gabourie | ... | production manager (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Harry Barnes | ... | first assistant director (uncredited) |
| Glen Cavender | ... | second unit director (uncredited) |
| Edward Hearn | ... | assistant director: Oregon (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Frank Barnes | ... | construction foreman (uncredited) |
| Jack Coyle | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
| William Ernshaw | ... | bridge timber crew (uncredited) |
| Al Gilmour | ... | production buyer (uncredited) |
| Mike Graves | ... | assistant property master (uncredited) |
| Hap Hadley | ... | poster artist (uncredited) |
| Bert Jackson | ... | property master (uncredited) |
| H.L. Jennings | ... | bridge and dam construction (uncredited) |
| George E. Potter | ... | bridge timber contractor (uncredited) |
| Billy Wood | ... | chief draughtsman (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Konrad Elfers | ... | sound effects (uncredited) (1962 re-issue) |
Special Effects by
| Jack Little | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Buster Keaton | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
| Earl Mohan | ... | stunt double: Tom Moran (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Denver Harmon | ... | lighting effects |
| Frank Barnes | ... | grip (uncredited) |
| Dal Clawson | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Elmer Ellsworth | ... | camera operator (uncredited) |
| Denver Harmon | ... | chief lighting technician (uncredited) |
| Byron Houck | ... | camera operator (uncredited) / still photographer (uncredited) |
| Ed Levy | ... | assistant chief lighting technician (uncredited) |
| William Piltz | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Melbourne Spurr | ... | publicity photographer (uncredited) |
| Harry J. Wild | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Bennie Hubbel | ... | assistant wardrobe (uncredited) |
| J.K. Pitcarin | ... | wardrobe (uncredited) |
| Fred Carlton Ryle | ... | assistant wardrobe (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Bert Jackson | ... | location manager (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Robert Israel | ... | music arranger: 1995 alternate version / music director: 1995 alternate version |
| Hiroyuki Akita | ... | music engineer: Joe Hisaishi score (uncredited) |
| James C. Bradford | ... | music compiler (uncredited) |
| Suminobu Hamada | ... | Joe Hisaishi Score (uncredited) / music engineer (uncredited) / music mixer (uncredited) |
| Joe Hisaishi | ... | Joe Hisaishi Score (uncredited) / conductor (uncredited) / music arranger (uncredited) / music producer (uncredited) / musician (uncredited) / orchestrator (uncredited) |
| Scott Joplin | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
| Ikuko Okamoto | ... | Joe Hisaishi Score (uncredited) / music production manager (uncredited) |
| William P. Perry | ... | composer: new piano score (uncredited) |
| Nic Raine | ... | orchestrator: Carl Davis score (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Christine Francis | ... | script supervisor (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Fred Gabourie | ... | technical director |
| Joseph M. Schenck | ... | presents |
| Lou Anger | ... | production accountant: Los Angeles (uncredited) |
| Dr. Axley | ... | first aid (uncredited) |
| Harry Brand | ... | production coordinator (uncredited) / unit publicist (uncredited) |
| Betty Cavender | ... | production secretary (uncredited) |
| Glen Cavender | ... | technical advisor (uncredited) |
| John W. Considine Jr. | ... | assistant production coordinator (uncredited) |
| Jack Dempster | ... | engineer (uncredited) |
| Dr. Frost | ... | first aid (uncredited) |
| Wesley G. Gilmour | ... | production accountant: Oregon (uncredited) |
| L.L. Graham | ... | production assistant: Oregon (uncredited) |
| Bob Holmes | ... | production assistant: Oregon (uncredited) |
| Ralph Land | ... | chef (uncredited) |
| Fred A. Lowry | ... | brakeman (uncredited) |
| George E. Potter | ... | caterer (uncredited) |
| Viola Riddle | ... | cook: Mr. Keaton (uncredited) |
| Willie Riddle | ... | assistant: Mr. Keaton (uncredited) |
| Dee Wright | ... | wrangler (uncredited) |
| Fred Wright | ... | chief mechanic (uncredited) / fire fighter (uncredited) |
Production Companies
- Buster Keaton Productions
- Joseph M. Schenck Productions (A United Artists Production)
Distributors
- United Artists (1926) (United States) (theatrical) (as A United Artist Production)
- United Artists (1926) (Canada) (theatrical) (as United Artists Corporation, Ltd.)
- Allied Artists Corporation (1926) (United Kingdom) (theatrical) (as Allied Artists Corpoiraion, Ltd.)
- United Artists (Australasia) (1927) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Los Artistas Unidos de América del Sur (1927) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1927) (Sweden) (theatrical) (as United Artists A/B)
- Raymond Rohauer (1955) (World-wide) (theatrical)
- Athos Films (1962) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Helsinki-Filmi (1962) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Radio Films S.A.E. S.A. (1962) (Spain) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1973) (Finland) (tv)
- Cineteca S.A. (1972) (Spain) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Andrés Vicente Gómez Montero (1982) (Spain) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (1987) (United States) (VHS)
- Rohauer Collection (1987) (United States) (VHS)
- Thames Video Collection (1987) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Thames Video Collection (1987) (United States) (VHS)
- Republic Pictures Home Video (1991) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Castle Communications (1993) (Finland) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (1995) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Image Entertainment (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- Eureka Entertainment (1999) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Kino Video (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- Kino Video (2001) (United States) (DVD) (as 'The Art of Buster Keaton')
- Navarre Entertainment (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- Alpha Video Distributors (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Divisa Home Video (2003) (Spain) (DVD)
- Image Entertainment (2003) (United States) (DVD)
- Suntower Communications (2003) (Sweden) (DVD)
- 1More Film (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (re-release)
- A-Film Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- FS Film (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
- Reel Media International (2004) (World-wide) (VHS)
- Stadtkino Filmverleih (2005) (Austria) (theatrical)
- 2entertain (2006) (United Kingdom) (video) (musical score variations)
- Madman Entertainment (2006) (Australia) (DVD)
- Madman Entertainment (2006) (New Zealand) (DVD)
- Reel Media International (2007) (World-wide)
- Wide Vision (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
- Kino Video (2009) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Park Circus (2014) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Théâtre du Temple (2017) (France) (theatrical) (re-release) (restored version)
- Eureka Entertainment (2017) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray)
- Kino Lorber Studio Classics (2017) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Ostalgica (2018) (Germany) (DVD)
- Studio Hamburg Enterprises (2020) (Germany) (DVD)
- Centrala Wynajmu Filmów (1964) (Poland) (theatrical) (re-release)
- Estefilm Katowice (Poland) (theatrical) (unknown)
- Les Grands Films Classiques (GFC) (France) (theatrical)
- Edoardo VIterbori (2023) (World-wide) (video)
- RDM Édition (2010) (France) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Anderson & Middleton (catering)
- Arcade Theater (screening facilities)
- Avaco Creative Studio (music recorded at) (Joe Hisaishi Score)
- Cameo Music Service Corp. (music publishing)
- Film Preservation Associates (special contents copyrighted by) (1995 alternate version)
- Freeway CAM B.V. (collection account management)
- Modern VideoFilm (post-production facilities) (restoration)
- Screen Time Images (film restoration)
- Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra) (Joe Hisaishi Score)
- Western Costume Company (costumes)
- Western Costume Company (wardrobe)
- Wonder City (music production management) (Joe Hisaishi Score)
- Wonder Station (music mixed at) (Joe Hisaishi Score)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Johnnie loves his train ("The General") and Annabelle Lee. When the Civil War begins he is turned down for service because he's more valuable as an engineer. Annabelle thinks it's because he's a coward. Union spies capture The General with Annabelle on board. Johnnie must rescue both his loves.
Written by Ed Stephan |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Buster drives "The General" to trainload of laughter. (Trade paper ad). See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
| Also Known As |
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Box Office
| Budget | $750,000 (estimated) |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $2,180,000, 31 Dec 1927 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The first try at getting the cannonball to shoot out of the cannon into the cab caused the ball to shoot with too much force. To cause it to shoot into the cab of the engine correctly, Buster Keaton had to count out the grains of gunpowder with tweezers. See more » |
| Goofs | Annabelle gets drenched when she and Johnnie stop for water, but as they return to the engine, her dress is dry. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into The Golden Age of Buster Keaton (1979). See more » |
| Soundtracks | The General See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Although Buster Keaton is the star of this film, he is listed last in the on-screen credits. See more » |
| Quotes |
Johnnie Gray:
[to the recruiter who rejects him]
If you lose this war don't blame me. See more » |