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Containing thirty-two films with a running time of over 740 minutes this collection documents Buster Keaton s short films between 1917-1923. Capturing Keaton s first steps in front of a camera this box set charts his early association with ex-Keystone Kop Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle through to starring in, headlining, and directing his own box office smash hits. Using Chaplin s old Hollywood studios in 1920, Keaton s sophisticated technical inventiveness coupled with his haunted-yet-handsome Stone Face persona, created a succession of the most timeless, classic comedy shorts ever realised. The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present the following films in a four-disc box set, with audio commentary by Joseph McBride on six of the films, and a 180-page book: The Butcher Boy (1917) The Rough House (1917) His Wedding Night (1917) Oh, Doctor! (1917) Coney Island (1917) Out West (1918) The Bell Boy (1918) Moonshine (1918) Good Night Nurse (1918) The Cook (1918) Backstage (1919) The Hayseed (1919) The Garage (1919) The High Sign * (finished 1920, released 1921) One Week* (1920) Convict 13* (1920) The Scarecrow (1920) Neighbors (1920) The Haunted House (1921) Hard Luck (1921) The Goat (1921) The Playhouse* (1921) The Boat* (1921) The Paleface (1922) Cops* (1922) My Wife s Relations (1922) The Blacksmith (1922) The Frozen North (1922) Daydreams (1922) The Electric House (1922) The Balloonatic (1923) The Love Nest (1923) *features audio commentary
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
92 of 94 people found the following review helpful
By J. A. Dean
Amazon Verified Purchase
In 1917 a 21 year old Buster Keaton walked on to a film set for the very first time and without a single retake made his screen debut in a comedy sketch in Arbuckle's 'The Butcher Boy'. This collection includes 13 of the 14 films that Arbuckle and Keaton made together (one remains lost) and all of the 19 independent shorts Buster made after getting his own studio in 1920. It charts Buster's early development as one of the greatest performers and directors in the history of film comedy. The films are wonderful, and if you don't already know them, you are in for a treat.
The accompanying book has some nice photos, as well as extracts from Buster's autobiography and interview transcripts, but most of it is given over to a discussion between three film writers which I didn't find particularly illuminating.
My big problem is with the audio commentaries. They are by one Joseph McBride, described as a 'film historian' but who seems to fancy himself a psychoanalyst. My advice is don't listen to them, because they will kill the comedy for you. If you must, treat them with caution. McBride is OK while he sticks to explaining the technical and creative aspects of the films and providing a little historical and sociological context. But when he moves into the realm of psychology he is on very shaky ground. His comments about Buster's personal life are, at best, speculative and, at worst, inaccurate and insulting. Take no notice of them. There are plenty of Keaton experts around who would have made a better job of this, and I'm surprised at Eureka Video's choice.
The accompanying book has some nice photos, as well as extracts from Buster's autobiography and interview transcripts, but most of it is given over to a discussion between three film writers which I didn't find particularly illuminating.
My big problem is with the audio commentaries. They are by one Joseph McBride, described as a 'film historian' but who seems to fancy himself a psychoanalyst. My advice is don't listen to them, because they will kill the comedy for you. If you must, treat them with caution. McBride is OK while he sticks to explaining the technical and creative aspects of the films and providing a little historical and sociological context. But when he moves into the realm of psychology he is on very shaky ground. His comments about Buster's personal life are, at best, speculative and, at worst, inaccurate and insulting. Take no notice of them. There are plenty of Keaton experts around who would have made a better job of this, and I'm surprised at Eureka Video's choice.
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
If you are after the best restoration prints of the GREAT Buster Keaton short films than this is the set for you. It contains every surviving short he made solo and alongside Roscoe Fatty Arbuckle. All The shorts are in their most fullist versions and are accompanied by great musical scores.
The only downside to this set is that it does not contain his feature films. If you are after those I would purchase the 'Three Ages'/'College'/'Steamboat Bill Jr box set. These are of the best quality versions. I would also purchase 'The General' 2 disc dvd again as it contains the best available restored version of the film out there. And to complete his feature film set. I would purchase 'The Buster Keaton Chronicles' which contains the remaining feature films In as good quality as you can find.
It may be expensive to get all those sets, but what that when you can own the work of a genious. Especially this Shorts box set, beautifully and carefully made, with a great booklet with lots of information and of course it contains the films themselves in their best and most hilarious form.
The only downside to this set is that it does not contain his feature films. If you are after those I would purchase the 'Three Ages'/'College'/'Steamboat Bill Jr box set. These are of the best quality versions. I would also purchase 'The General' 2 disc dvd again as it contains the best available restored version of the film out there. And to complete his feature film set. I would purchase 'The Buster Keaton Chronicles' which contains the remaining feature films In as good quality as you can find.
It may be expensive to get all those sets, but what that when you can own the work of a genious. Especially this Shorts box set, beautifully and carefully made, with a great booklet with lots of information and of course it contains the films themselves in their best and most hilarious form.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By R. J. Warner
This is by far the best way to obtain all of Buster Keaton's surviving silent shorts, including the early ones with Roscoe Arbuckle. It's not 100pct perfect - "The Blacksmith" seems to derive from an early work print made before re-takes, "The Paleface" and "The Scarecrow" look a little sharper to me on Network's "Keaton Chronicles" set, "Moonshine" is a fragment only, "Daydreams" has footage missing from other prints but lacks footage found in the "Chronicles" version, the music soundtrack on "The Garage" is a bit out of synch and one gag in "The Love Nest" (involving a bottle of port) has lost its meaning due to a title card being badly re-translated back into English from a foreign print - BUT these are all minor flaws. For the most part, these are the best, most complete prints of these great films, with "Convict 13" in much better shape than usual and the long-missing ending of "Hard Luck" present and correct! Apart from the use of rather repetitive Columbia Phototone discs on "Out West", the music is fine - especially when it's piano accompaniment from the excellent Neil Brand. Recommended!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
buster keaton shorts
this set includes the films made ith roscoe arbuckle, in which keaton's contribution varies considerably. Read more
Published 2 months ago by peter taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Silient Screen
If you like the old black and white silient screen films, this is one to buy. It is fabulous on comedy. I would fully recommend it.
Published 16 months ago by Julie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Complete Buster Keaton Shorts: Eureka Masters of Cinema #30 - The...
In 1917 an unassuming little chap in a strange flat hat strolled into a store and stood in some molasses with much mirth resulting. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Victor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Silent movies
I've only ever seen snippits of Buster Keaton since I was a kid. Now I am amazed at the antics of Keaton and Arbuckle. Read more
Published on 5 April 2011 by William Stewart
5.0 out of 5 stars
a must have for buster fans
a truly superb set.the arbuckle and keaton shorts on discs 1 and 2 are worth the money alone.plus we get to see buster laugh.what more could you want.
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by M. A. urben
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great box set
Great box set of Keaton's short films. Includes a well illustrated book with lots of Keaton interviews. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2009 by SL on Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars
genius
truly superb boxset of the master.the films are are good prints and the added book has wonderful information.most suprising are the arbuckle films,suprisingly inventive. Read more
Published on 7 April 2008 by Robert Daevell
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