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Reviews
The General (1926)
Now I know why it's called Keaton's best
I've been a fan of Keaton for just over a year now, but only today did i get around to watching the general. I'd heard so much about it and worried it wouldn't live upto the hype or the humour wouldn't translate. or i worried it would be the best i'll ever see and i should save it for a special occasion; today i finished my exams, special enough in my books.
It is a brilliant film. not the high gag rate i was expecting if i am honest but this really is a case of quality over quantity. and the jokes are also very subtle (many are, anyway). i get the feeling multiple viewings will yield more and more laughs.
Keaton's everyman characters tries to get back his train, and innocently in the process gets the girl and stops an enemy attack. it's very feel-good and also hilarious. I think my favourite scenes are on the train with Keaton and his Girl where she keeps doing things wrong, or they have miniature arguments- there's something inherently hilarious about a) in the midst of all the fighting etc, Keaton's girl picking up a broom and starting to sweep his train and b) Keaton's reaction of anger, turning to just a passionate hug. it's just done very beautifully
basically, this is a great film- please, Keatonites, don't put it off, as i did, it's worth viewing now. and again, and again.
also, i'm a sucker for happy endings- so that's nice
Snow-White (1933)
Better than Disney! why? it's cool.
This is a classic example of cool animation. you can not get animation like this anymore, apparently it scares children, but how i do long for the sight of Betty Boop being carried in a frozen coffin by 7 dwarfs into a tunnel. it just works! for many, the Fleischer's aren't their cup of tea (not making sense, not the best animation, creepy) but for me, the animation is fun and inventive and is far more intelligent than Disney's work which i find un-stimulating at times and can drag. fair enough, they embellish the story a tad but, to be fair, they only had ten minutes and they still managed to produce innovations (the dancing, singing, transformed coco the clown has his dancemoves roto-scoped from Cab Calloway's dancing, roto-scoping was invented by them).
But, what i believe sets this out as a true gem among gems is Cab Calloway. A man with a voice that just blows me away and adds real depth to an almost over-covered song. the music is enthralling, the animation entertaining and the end product, magical. please, find this on you tube.