Today in 1869, the first Transcontinental Railroad, linking the eastern and western United States, is completed at Promontory Summit, Utah.
Wikipedia.org Article for the First Transcontinental Rairoad:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Transcontinental_Railroad
Hop on board The General (1926) for the craziest ride of your life...
Buster Keaton's The General (1926)
Run Time: 67 mins
Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure
Format: Standard 4:3 Format, Black & White, Silent
Director: Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton
Starring: Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender and Jim Farley
IMDB.com Entry for the Film:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017925/?ref_=nv_sr_2
Wikipedia.org Article for the Film:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_General_(1926_film)
Wikipedia.org Article for Buster Keaton:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buster_Keaton
Wikipedia.org Article for Marion Mack:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Mack
Trailer for the Film on YouTube:
This film highlights Buster Keaton at his best. The majority of the film takes part on top of a train. Yes, on top of a train, not just in a train, but on top of it with Buster running all over the place. When I see films on trains they usually look fantastic and this one does not disappoint. Jackie Chan always said that one of his favorite Hollywood stars was Buster Keaton, and you can see why in this film. Buster pulls off the same kind of comedic moves that Jackie would incorporate into his agile performances. Exciting stuff!!! This is another one of those high-speed exciting films found in that sub-genre called the Chase film, which is one of my favorite sub-genres. This is outstanding and even the love-interest is funny. In one scene the bad guys are chasing Buster all over the train and once he dispatches them the girl grabs a broom and starts sweeping, thus triggering another humorous response from Buster. I loved that scene. - Phil
Jackie Chan's homage to the silent greats on YouTube:
About 10 years ago myself and a bunch of friends had a movie club and we did the year 1927 and The General was on the list (most publications have this film listed as 1926).
Buster Keaton - The Art of the Gag on YouTube:
Here are some of those responses to the film:
Ross Brakman:
Widely considered to be Buster Keaton's crowning achievement, The General deserves the accolades it has received since it was first released eighty years ago. The film finds Keaton fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War - fortunately, there is no real sense of the racism that compelled the war, so this can easily be enjoyed as an adventure yarn, as opposed to a piece of Lost Cause or a pro-slavery propaganda. No, it's Keaton at his finest, executing daring - occasionally downright stupid - stunts on an old steam locomotive racing through a southern countryside. Filmed in Oregon, the famous train, wrecked on a bridge, wasn't removed until World War 2, when its iron was used for scrap. Although the film is relatively short, it's packed with action, and a bit of a romantic McGuffin, just to keep the ladies interested. A rarity in the 1,001 list - a movie you really do need to see before you die. And it holds up to repeated viewings, too. - Grade: A+
Buck Nonnemaker:
Buster Keaton pulls off some pretty amazingly athletic stunts while on the cow-catcher of a moving train that I would dare any present day actor to attempt. Johnny Gray (Keaton) has his heart set on marrying the love of his life Annabelle. But she is adamant about Johnny serving his country during the Civil War. He tries his best to enlist but is not accepted and loses the affection of the girl who insists he be her “man in uniform”. Finding himself in the middle of a spy mission that hijacks his train, The General, as well as the kidnapping of his sweetheart, Johnny becomes the clumsy hero through clever gags and a spectacular bridge collapsing train wreck. Pretty cool stuff for 1927. The final scene gave me a patriotic pang in my heart as Johnny states his occupation as “soldier”. This is a sweet story with some wonderful stunts performed by the great Buster Keaton. – Grade: A
Click the link below at GoWatchIt.com to see where you can stream or watch The General (1926) online or on TV right now:
https://gowatchit.com/watch/movies/the-general-45797
Or check out TVGuide.com to see if this film is playing on TV/Cable in your area:
http://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-general/132136/
Check back in tomorrow ......................
For our next Film of the Day .....................
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