Good collection of classic Keaton at his best !!!
Jake Marsico | Flagstaff,AZ | 04/10/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I recently bought this two-disc collection of classic Buster Keaton films and two-reel shorts from my local Hastings store and for only $ 8.00,I was suprised that it wasn't really that all bad.This collection,produced by Brentwood/BCI Eclipse,contains the following three features,two of which are classic silent features such as Keaton's 1926 masterpiece THE GENERAL and his 1927 effort COLLEGE.It also includes Keaton's third sound film made at MGM,the 1931 feature PARLOR,BEDROOM,AND BATH.But perhaps another great deal for this DVD is the inclusion of six Keaton two-reel classic shorts such as THE BOAT,THE PALEFACE,THE PLAYHOUSE (all released in 1921),THE ELECTRIC HOUSE,THE FROZEN NORTH,and COPS (all released in 1922).Picture quality on THE GENERAL is the same transfer that has appeared in the Alpha Video,Goodtimes,Delta,and Navarre DVD releases as it's presented at 18 fps rather than the normal,more fast-paced 24 fps with some appearances of grain and dirt,but doesn't affect the film.It's presented with a more appropriate,Hal Roach-esque jazzy musical score which at times doesn't reflect the action on screen,but in my opinion a better fit than a orchestral classical score on previous incarnations,remember "Pomp and Circumstance" ? The audio on the soundtrack isn't up all the way so you may have to turn the volume up a few notches to hear the score.COLLEGE looks okay,but it doesn't quite live up to the other films in this set as it was transferred from a 16mm print complete with newly digitally created title cards as well as an entertaining,lively,jovial piano score that accompainies the film very well.But the Kino release,which I also have,has a much better,entertaining,and fast-paced pipe organ score by John Muir is that of much-better quality and restored from original 35mm elements.Disc two's PARLOR,BEDROOM,AND BATH has so-so,but good picture quality,but since I didn't really care much for that feature that there's no reason to mention about picture quality,etc.Surprisingly enough,the transfers for the six two-reelers that are on here are that from the laserdisc releases produced by the late,great film preservationist David Shepard for Kino as it contains energetic newly-created scores by Robert Israel and the late,great organist Gaylord Carter.THE BOAT is perhaps the worst-looking film in the collection as it was nearly destroyed and almost considered lost for many years.Despite these fixtures and flaws,this set is OK for your money,but for those very,very serious about quality,the Kino and Image editions of these classics for nearly ten dollars more are the definite way to go for your library of classic comedy.Not a bad deal for serious Buster Keaton fans !"
"On the sunkist slopes of the Pacific"
ShiftPuzzle | L.A. | 05/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I don't usually review these things. I'd never seen Keaton before this. I bought this with considerable uncertainty. And I'm.. here to say that it was well worth it.
The only thing I find remotely irritating about this set is the packaging. No booklet. Gotta read the print on the discs. And flip 'em over.
But the films are actually great fun. I actually like them. Not bad quality transfer either. So if you're new to his stuff, this may be something you want to watch."