From acclaimed cultural and film historian James Curtis--a major biography, the first in more than two decades, of the legendary comedian and filmmaker who elevated physical comedy to the highest of arts and whose ingenious films remain as startling, innovative, modern--and irresistible--today as they were when they beguiled audiences almost a century ago.
Or are likely to have--Richard Schickel, front page of The New York Times Book Review ), and Spencer Tracy (monumental; definitive-- Kirkus Reviews ), gives us the richest, most comprehensive Life to date of the legendary actor, stunt artist, screenwriter, director-- master..
Fields (by far the fullest, fairest and most touching account we have yet had.
C.
Now James Curtis, admired biographer of Preston Sturges (definitive-- Variety ), W. , The Cameraman , and his masterpiece, The General . , The Navigator , Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Through nineteen short comedies and twelve magnificent features, he distinguished himself with such seminal works as Sherlock Jr.
His iconic look and acrobatic brilliance obscured the fact that behind the camera Keaton was one of our most gifted filmmakers.
Fields, the four were each considered a comedy king--but Keaton was, and still is, considered to be the greatest of them all.
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Keaton\'s deadpan stare in a porkpie hat was as recognizable as Charlie Chaplin\'s tramp and Harold Lloyd\'s straw boater and spectacles, and, with W.
Martin Scorsese, influenced by Keaton\'s pictures in the making of Raging Bull: The only person who had the right attitude about boxing in the movies for me, Scorsese said, was Buster Keaton.
Mel Brooks: A lot of my daring came from Keaton. he brought pure physical comedy to its greatest heights. . .
Keaton was the only major comedian who kept sentiment almost entirely out of his work and .
Keaton\'s face, Agee wrote, ranked almost with Lincoln\'s as an early American archetype; it was haunting, handsome, almost beautiful, yet it was also irreducibly funny.
It is brilliant--I was totally absorbed, couldn\'t stop reading it and was very sorry when it ended.--Kevin Brownlow It was James Agee who christened Buster Keaton The Great Stone Face.
From acclaimed cultural and film historian James Curtis--a major biography, the first in more than two decades, of the legendary comedian and filmmaker who elevated physical comedy to the highest of arts and whose ingenious films remain as startling, innovative, modern--and irresistible--today as they were when they beguiled audiences almost a century ago
