From CBS Archives. Broadcast April 17th, 1964.
By age nine, Buster Keaton already knew he should never smile. “I’d simply learned that I was the type of comic that if I laughed at what I did, the audience didn’t,” Mr. Keaton tells Telescope‘s Fletcher Markle, reflecting on his early years in vaudeville. From his christening as Buster by Harry Houdini to tips on how to throw a pie and keep his saucer-brimmed pork-pie hat in shape, this profile captures the man behind the great stone-face and evokes the long-gone early years of cinematic comedy.
After a series of personal challenges in the early 1930s, including divorce, bankruptcy and a severe bout of alcoholism which he refers to in this clip, Keaton made the transition to “talkies” and television. In the 1950s and early 1960s, he found a new generation of fans and regained some of the profile he’d had in the silent film era. The early 1960s also marked a renaissance for silent film, and his early works gained critical recognition at film festivals around the world.
Remember, these were MOTION PICTURES then. Mr. Keaton speaks about this and how TALKING PICTURES sent him into a depression. There is volume, the opening of the interview doesn’t start until 0:44. Thanks and enjoy.
In conclusion, by watching the video, one would think the title should be, “Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!” Sadly enough, Buster Keaton died of lung cancer on Feb., 22, 1966, just two years after this interview aired. He was 70 years old and he is missed very much. Thanks for the memories, Buster.
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I’d swear those silent film guys were amazing… I think they did all their own stunts; no trick camera stuff, no special effects. Just a little luck and SUPER skill.
I know. Buster says he used to get beat up all the time. So much has changed… They are awesome!
I was looking for articles about this on Yahoo and discovered your piece. I found it to be really useful. Thanks
You’re welcome and thanks for your comment. He was really a great showman and it’s very interesting to hear him talk about old Hollywood and being way out in the Valley, (the San Fernando Valley) where it’s quiet!