Living the Silent Life

Since I can't take you all with me all of the time, here is one of the films I saw on Saturday at the SF Silent Film Festival, Winter/Valentine's Day Event.

Buster Keaton in his second film, an entertaining romp of love and vengeance called Our Hospitality. From the program notes:

Set against the drama of an age-old feud between two families, Buster Keaton's ingenious take on Romeo and Juliet is a laugh-out-loud parody of Southern hospitality, circa 1830. Upon learning he's inherited the ancestral estate, Buster takes the first train home to reclaim his heritage. Soon he's courting a sweetheart and dodging her family's bullets. Buster's daredevil rescue attempt above a waterfall is one of the all-time great movie stunts.

The wondrous live piano accompaniment was provided by Philip Carli, who is also the pianist in residence at the George Eastman House (where, when I win the lottery or inherit a fortune, I will be enrolling in film conservation classes, fyi).

If I was forced to pick my favorite silent film comedian, I'd have to pick Harold Lloyd. BUT my very very very close second would be Buster (who got his nickname as a child from none other than Harry Houdini, how freaking cool is that?!) That face ("The Great Stone Face") just kills me. He was such a pro. I'm not going into one of my silent film raves now (you can look up past ones yourself), but gosh darn it, I'll watch a Buster Keaton film a million times before I rent the Director's Cut of the Boring Sappy Blech of Benjamin Button.

Some very kind and patient person uploaded the entire film here, viewable in three parts. For those of you who (like me) despair of most modern cinema experiences nowadays, here you can watch a film full of stunts that are real (no special effects), great comedy, no special effects, and no special effects. Just imagine, a movie without CGI! How ever did they do it?!

Amazing.

ps.: I know that most of you (all of you?) won't watch the entire film if any of it, but if you do (maybe there's a lull at work?), there's a scene in part 2 here where a man kicks a hat off of another man's head (no special effects, just incredible gymnastic ability). That man was Buster Keaton's dad, who makes a brief cameo. And Keaton's son, billed here as Buster Jr, makes an appearance in the beginning of the film, as the baby. Keeping it all in the family. Oh, and his wife is the love interest. So there you are.

pss.: The full SF Silent Film Festival is scheduled this year for July 10-12. So don't call or write to me then. But I'll save you a seat!


Watch Buster Keaton - Our Hospitality 1/3 | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

part 2


Watch Buster Keaton - Our Hospitality 2/3 | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

part 3


Watch Buster Keaton - Our Hospitality 3/3 | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

The Only Dick Cheney Post I'll Ever Write

It's drizzly and grey and foggy this morning... perfect weather considering that Noir City #7 started last night at the Castro Theatre. (Bill and Iasa, it's really making me sad that you're not here for this film festival.)


I'm just lounging in my La-Z-Boy, wishing so much that Richard Widmark's greatest villain, Tommy Udo from Kiss of Death, had been the one pushing Dick Cheney's wheelchair to the Inauguration.

(Just pretend that Cheney is the old lady in the wheelchair and enjoy.)



And now to ponder breakfast and what Noir Festivities I'll be enjoying today (there is also Roller Derby at Kezar Stadium tonight). I feel a bagel is in my future, which has nothing to do with anything.

Enjoy your day. Watch Kiss of Death.

***

ps.: I lied. I would write more posts about Dick Cheney if the Hague saw fit to put him on trial for war crimes. Is there some sort of write-in campaign we can start? Does anyone know anyone that works at the Hague who could get that ball rolling?

Yes, Another Harold and Maude Post

But this one is cleverly disguised as Public Service Announcement. Actually there are two very important things I want you to do today.

One, if you live in San Francisco*, is get tickets to see Bud Cort at the Castro Theatre on January 22nd. He'll be there for an on-stage interview (remember when I told you about the one with Gene Wilder?!) and then a 38th Anniversary Screening of Harold and Maude.

I will be there, sitting towards the front, wearing waterproof mascara and carrying a box of Kleenex, so you'll know which one I am. (I already got my ticket.)

Secondly, listen to this song, "Don't Be Shy," originally part of the film's excellent soundtrack. Yusuf Islam, the former Cat Stevens, gives a moving and wonderful performance. Not even so much for the song, which is perfect, but how he introduces it.

***

ps.: for you newbies, a Harold and Maude reference is a fairly common occurrence here at Tangobaby.

pss.: If you're wondering what ever happened to Bud Cort after his H&M and M*A*S*H days, you can read more about him at the end of the wikipedia page, including some great interviews. And if you haven't seen him in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, rent that too because I'm on a misson to make sure people see that film. It's too good to have gone so unappreciated.

*If you have not seen Harold and Maude or haven't seen it in many years, get it today. Do not delay. And while you're at it, get The Life Aquatic, too.

Don't be shy just let your feelings roll on by
Don't wear fear or nobody will know you're there
Just lift your head, and let your feelings out instead
And don't be shy, just let your feeling roll on by
On by

You know love is better than a song
Love is where all of us belong
So don't be shy just let your feelings roll on by
Don't wear fear or nobody will know you're there
You're there

Don't be shy just let your feelings roll on by
Don't wear fear or nobody will know you're there
Just lift your head, and let your feelings out instead
And don't be shy, just let your feeling roll on by
On by, on by, on by, on by, etc.