With the BFI Southbank, London set to host a major retrospective of the films of Buster Keaton, including an extended run of the spectacular new 4K restoration of The General with the Carl Davis score, we thought we would let you know about some other Keaton pictures coming to the big screen in new DCPs.
The following titles are available now to book on DCP from the wonderful Cohen Film Collection library:
The Goat
A mistaken-identity crisis precipitates an almost continuous — and continuously brilliant chase through two adjoining towns where Buster is taken for 'Deadeye Dan, Public Enemy'.
Cops
A wonderful example of Buster Keaton's film artistry. A carefully orchestrated series of gags in which he plays an innocent who tries to impress his girl by becoming more than he is, and winds up inextricably caught in a police parade that breaks up to pursue him.
Battling Butler
Keaton remarked on occasion that was his favourite film. Based on a Broadway play, the story revolves around a case of mistaken identity between two Alfred Butlers — one an effete millionaire (Keaton), the other the heavyweight champion of the world (Francis McDonald). Coincidence brings them to the same backwoods Kentucky neighbourhood, where Butler-the-flop finds love with a mountain girl, but not before antagonising Butler-the-brute into a Madison Square Garden grudge match.
Seven Chances
Buster gets word that if he can be married by seven o'clock that evening he will inherit $7,000,000. When his sweetheart refuses, he proposes to everyone in skirts, including a Scotsman. Hopeful still, he advertises for a bride and is horrified to discover 500 would-be-brides hot on his trail in a hilarious chase to the finish.
Sherlock Jr
Buster plays a movie projectionist who daydreams himself into the movies he is showing and merges with the figures and the backgrounds on the screen. While dreaming he is Conan Doyle's master detective, he snoops out brilliant discoveries.
