Comments on Screen Savour: The General (1927)

Of course this is a definitive review of one of te...

2009-11-16T19:14:59.265-05:00

Of course this is a definitive review of one of teh greatest of all screen comedires, and arguably Keaton's masterpiece. And yes, as you say, it's the one he'll be best-remembered by, even if college film students continue to sing the praises of SHERLOCK JR.

You are sorely missed on the blogging circles, that much I can assure you. Of course it is fully understood that you have a busy life, and there isn't always time for this.

But I wanted to say hello, and hope we'll be touching bases soon. The best always.

@FilmDr — Thanks for the thoughts. I agree with yo...

2009-09-30T20:03:14.163-04:00

@FilmDr — Thanks for the thoughts. I agree with you on Annabelle Lee; she is, for the most part, useless to the film, and even her initial scorn for Johnnie is rather ridiculous in its superficiality and the fact that it's not followed through to its logical conclusion. (It might be Keaton's only film where he plays a character who is considered fundamentally valuable in its trade and skill, but still he doesn't come out as a "man" in the eyes of the woman.)

I like the structure, and I think that's one of the film's most endearing elements. And yes, I've heard that anecdote about Keaton playing baseball with his crew in the Oregon town where they shot the film; I've also heard that his athleticism really wowed the locals. :)

@MovieMan — Thanks. I think what you say about funniness and greatness existing (mostly) on different planes is true, and I'd even take it a step further and say that it applies to a multitude of genres, particularly as far as cinema is concerned. Comedy is certainly affected by it because I think comedies in general tend to be less ambition in form than drama, musicals, science fiction, etc. But the two you cite are certainly among the great comedies of the last fifty years, and certainly The Generalis among the greats period.

Really interesting observations here. I find I oft...

2009-09-30T12:00:23.897-04:00

Really interesting observations here. I find I often have trouble considering a comedy "great" if it isn't formally ambitious in some way. Funniness and greatness seem to be on different planes, ones which intersect but not extensively. (Mor recent - meaning post 60s - comedies I would consider great include Annie Hall and The Big Lebowski, both of which are visually rich and structurally ambitious.) So I suppose I laugh harder at other Keaton films, but I certainly think this is his greatest work. Although I think I find it funnier than you, and apparently many others, do.

Nice analysis. I've been waiting for this one...

2009-09-28T12:52:49.643-04:00

Nice analysis. I've been waiting for this one, because I often show off The General in a film studies class, and it consistently gets a lively response from students. I was struck by the treatment of Annabelle Lee. She is profoundly useless to Johnnie during the action scenes--in marked contrast to Keaton's balletic abilities in single-handedly operating a train. I've heard of the film having a Baroque structure in the way it sets up two parallel and yet opposite journeys in the first half and the latter half of the film. Also, isn't it true that Keaton had his crew play baseball during breaks in much of the shooting?