My new kick

I’m on silent films right now. They seem to be surprisingly hard to come by. I was listening to a Queen song with the lyric “be your Valentino” and decided I needed to see some Valentino. I haven’t seen any yet due to the aforementioned shortage. I have seen a little Chaplin and a little Keaton. I like Keaton! He is called Stoneface by some people because he reacts to situations by not reacting. His face stays blank and he pauses with whatever emotion is required going on in his head. I think it is funny in the same way as a comic not laughing at his own jokes is funny. If a guy (or girl) can deliver a joke that the audience laughs at but he or she doesn’t laugh it, that makes the joke funnier. And in the same way a comic cracking up as they deliver a joke detracts from the humor.
The other big thing that impresses me about Keaton is the physical stunts he is capable of. In this age of camera tricks and computer magic, we are used to seeing the unbelievable. But they were actually doing the unbelievable! I find myself not reacting to this and I am upset that I don’t notice, yes, obviously he has no stunt double. And most (or all) of the throws, hits, and falling buildings are real and life size. The one scene that really hit me is not probably the most famous. In Steamboat Bill Jr., Keaton has to rescue a girl by climbing on a rope. Once he gets to her, he lets her cling to him as he hangs by his hands. WAIT A SECOND… I have tried this trick before as a child. Hanging from a tree by my hands I tried to let my little sister hang around my waist. It is not too easy. Many people cannot hold themselves by just their hands, let alone with another clinging to you. I do not think I have ever seen this stunt done in the strict sense. Always you see a face and blurry ground behind with feet kicking. Or a side view with the hands relaxed and face looks calm. You know these shots have been doctored. Or green screened. There’s no way that person is actually hanging by their hands. This was the one shot that reminded me how awesome these early film actors were. I’ll be going to the library soon to lay my hands on some more Keaton films.

Quote of the moment:
The chair now recognizes the nation of… Lita