The General (1926/1927) #18

Notice the year of release.  IMDB says 1926, as does Wikipedia in its main article. Then Wikipedia cites 1927 in a reference from the article on Buster Keaton and the AFI list says 1927.  Since I wasn't alive I guess I'll never know for sure!

But I do know Buster Keaton was a genius!  Keaton co-wrote and co-directed the film, and starred in it as well.  It's a gem and it made its debut on the on the tenth anniversary AFI list at number eighteen.  Remarkable that it wasn't on the first list and yet debuted so highly on the second.

"He had two loves.  His engine, AND --"

Keaton plays the engineer of the "General" for a railroad in Marietta GA during the Civil War.  When Fort Sumter is fired upon Keaton (Johnnie Gray) rushes to be the first in line to enlist.  Sadly he is rejected because he's more valuable to the South in his current capacity.  This greatly distresses his second love Annabelle Lee who considers him a coward.

His redemption occurs when the Union Army steals the General and Johnnie travels across enemy lines to rescue not only the General but also Annabelle.

"In the enemy's country - hopelessly lost, helplessly cold and horribly hungry."

"The Great Stone Face" is remarkable.  Throughout the movie he expresses confusion, joy, sadness and surprise with incredible subtlety.  With those huge eyes and a blink or two he can express a remarkable amount of emotion.  I'm not sure anyone else even comes close on the deadpan scale.

Keaton was a master of physical comedy and does a wonderful job of scampering over the train or climbing in and out of windows or any other number of sight gags.  Watch for him making a perfect throw with a chunk of firewood to try and knock the cannon's aim away from him.  I have no idea what it's called but he does a great hopping on one leg as he rounds corners or changes direction much like Charlie Chaplin.  Or perhaps Charlie Chaplin does it much like Buster Keaton?  I guess it has to be Keaton like Chaplin since Buster was six years the junior to Charlie.

Very enjoyable seventy-five minutes or so!