(Note: The program all about famous silent film comedian Buster Keaton is not listed here, so I have posted it on this one.)
If I wrote all the interesting facts and tidbits offered in this one-hour biography Buster Keaton, I would go long past the maximum amount of words allowed. Much of silent film star Buster Keaton's life story will leave you shaking your head in disbelief! I have been fortunate to see many of his movies, so much the footage seen in this Biography TV episode was not new but for those who haven't seen Buster in action, get ready for some incredible stunts. Nobody, but nobody, performed the physical stunt work that Keaton did in his films. "He was the most physical actor ever," notes Dick Van Dyke early on. Van Dyke and other Hollywood actors in this episode remark about how they still marvel at some the feats Keaton performed 80-90 years ago. He didn't use stunt men and his athletic prowess was just awesome to see in his pictures.
"His influence is still being felt today," and other similar quotes are made here by his latter-day peers. Some of Keaton's feats and courage - like having the side of a building fall on him - are just stunning to watch. Keaton not only acted but directed, wrote and produced. "He lived for his work," someone remarks in this episode.
Unfortunately, his personal life often was a disaster. Perhaps he should have paid more attention to that instead of his films but it sounds like, according to this show, that he didn't get off on the right foot with his first marriage. He married a greedy, very materialistic woman: actress Natalie Talmadge.
Then again, dealing with your problems by becoming an alcoholic and having to be institutionalized doesn't help, either. Keaton even tried suicide at one point. Thankfully, he failed, and picked himself up, reviving his career long after people had counted him out as finished. Keaton could be seen on a number of TV shows in the '50s and movies in the '60s.
His whole story, along with some memorable footage from classic films like "The General" and "Steamboat Bill Jr." and many others, his friendship with the controversial Fatty Arbuckle, his wild marriage to Talmadge and a lot more are on this fascinating biography.
If I wrote all the interesting facts and tidbits offered in this one-hour biography Buster Keaton, I would go long past the maximum amount of words allowed. Much of silent film star Buster Keaton's life story will leave you shaking your head in disbelief! I have been fortunate to see many of his movies, so much the footage seen in this Biography TV episode was not new but for those who haven't seen Buster in action, get ready for some incredible stunts. Nobody, but nobody, performed the physical stunt work that Keaton did in his films. "He was the most physical actor ever," notes Dick Van Dyke early on. Van Dyke and other Hollywood actors in this episode remark about how they still marvel at some the feats Keaton performed 80-90 years ago. He didn't use stunt men and his athletic prowess was just awesome to see in his pictures.
"His influence is still being felt today," and other similar quotes are made here by his latter-day peers. Some of Keaton's feats and courage - like having the side of a building fall on him - are just stunning to watch. Keaton not only acted but directed, wrote and produced. "He lived for his work," someone remarks in this episode.
Unfortunately, his personal life often was a disaster. Perhaps he should have paid more attention to that instead of his films but it sounds like, according to this show, that he didn't get off on the right foot with his first marriage. He married a greedy, very materialistic woman: actress Natalie Talmadge.
Then again, dealing with your problems by becoming an alcoholic and having to be institutionalized doesn't help, either. Keaton even tried suicide at one point. Thankfully, he failed, and picked himself up, reviving his career long after people had counted him out as finished. Keaton could be seen on a number of TV shows in the '50s and movies in the '60s.
His whole story, along with some memorable footage from classic films like "The General" and "Steamboat Bill Jr." and many others, his friendship with the controversial Fatty Arbuckle, his wild marriage to Talmadge and a lot more are on this fascinating biography.
