The Buster Keaton Story (1957)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Sidney Sheldon

Writers:

Sidney Sheldon (writer)
Robert Smith (writer)

Release Date:

May 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

It's a blues - BUSTER!

Plot Keywords:

Movie Comedian | Beautiful Woman | Silent Movie Actor | Silent Film Star | Vaudeville Comedian

Cast

Donald O'Connor	...	Buster Keaton
Ann Blyth	...	Gloria Brent
Rhonda Fleming	...	Peggy Courtney
Peter Lorre	...	Kurt Bergner
Larry Keating	...	Larry Winters
Jackie Coogan	...	Elmer Case
Richard Anderson	...	Tom McAffee
Dave Willock	...	Joe Keaton
Claire Carleton	...	Myra Keaton
Larry White	...	Buster, age 7
Dan Seymour	...	Indian Chief
Michael Ross	...	Assistant Chief
Nan Martin	...	Edna
Robert Christopher	...	Nick
Richard Aherne	...	Franklin

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-12

Company:

Forum Productions

Trivia:

Ann Blyth's character was a composite of Keaton's three wives. When Keaton's second wife Mae tried to sue Paramount for defamation of character, it was easily proved that she was not a specific character in the movie.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Buster Keaton's father didn't die when he was three -- Joe Keaton lived long enough to appear in some of his son's silent movies. In fact, he didn't die until Buster was past forty.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "What's My Line?: (1957-09-01)" (1957)

Interesting film...even if not factual.

It's always been the case in Hollywood when "they" go to make a film based upon an actual historical event or do a biopic on an historical figure: they never get it right. The names and dates are usually correct but after that, it's pretty much whatever they think will sell tickets. And this picture is certainly no exception. The shame of it really is that this was made while Buster Keaton was very much alive and still relatively active in show business. But, obviously, he was never contacted concerning the facts about his own life. And that's a real shame. Donald O'Connor is great, for what he's allowed to show of Keaton's genius but the writers and producer were obviously much more interested in portraying Keaton as a base, alcoholic slob without any real feelings. And we who have read the books know that to be totally untrue. I'm surprised Keaton didn't actually sue the production company for defamation of character over this. I sure would have. In any case, despite Mr. O'Connor's valiant efforts to "save" this film, don't bother with it. Watch the documentary "Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow." You'll enjoy that much more.