DVD/150: THE BUSTER KEATON CHRONICLES 1 (1920 - 1923): ONE WEEK; THE SAPHEAD; CONVICT 13; THE SCARECROW; NEIGHBORS; THE HAUNTED HOUSE; THE GOAT; THE BOAT; THE PLAYHOUSE; THE PALEFACE; COPS; MY WIFE'S RELATIONS; THE BLACKSMITH; THE FROZEN NORTH; THE ELECTRIC HOUSE; DAY DREAMS; THE BALLOONATIC, THE LOVE NEST

Buster Keaton had already made fourteen shorts over three years with Fatty Arbuckle when he was given his own studio in 1920, starting a run of shorts and features that stand the test of time as comedy gold.

Volume one contains 18 films and, although the prints are of variable quality, Keaton's mix of balletic athleticism and innovative comedy shine through.

Mostly co-directed and co-written with Edward F Cline, this collection contains some of my favourites.

 

 

Newly-married Buster creates havoc with a tampered-with build-your-own-home-kit in ONE WEEK, and in THE BOAT, Buster's attempts at building and sailing a boat end in hilarious disaster!

 

Married by mistake, Buster has to deal with his horrible new Irish in-laws in MY WIFE'S RELATIONS and in the opening dream sequence of his masterpiece THE PLAYHOUSE, Buster plays everyone: the performers, the audience and the orchestra!

Shelf or charity shop?  One for the shelf... well. 18 for the shelf really!