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Camera Man: Buster Keaton, the Dawn of Cinema, and the Invention of the Twentieth Century
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About This Book
From the chief film critic of Slate comes a fresh and captivating biography on comedy legend and acclaimed filmmaker Buster Keaton that also explores the evolution of film from the silent era to the 1940s.As one of the most famous faces of silent cinema, Buster Keaton was and continues to be revered for his stoic expressions, clever visual gags, and acrobatic physicality in classics such as Sherlock Jr., The General, and The Cameraman. In this spirited biography, every aspect of Buster Keaton's astonishing life is explored, from his humble beginnings in vaudeville with his parents to his meteoric rise to Hollywood stardom during the silent era. Based on vigorous research of both Keaton and the film industry, it also delves into the dark sides of fame, such as Keaton's ill-advised businesses deals and alcoholism, to his unexpected resurgence in the 1940s as his contributions as both an actor and director were finally celebrated. This is a fascinating and uniquely astounding look at both the classic era of Hollywood and one of its most beloved stars.
Reviews
"[her book does] excellently in handling the sadder second half of Keaton's career, after he signed away creative control over his movies to MGM, and gravity, mixed with alcohol, finally began to do its work."
"Stevens dives into subjects many Keaton admirers have merely sideswiped, notably the painful ethnic and racial jokes in his films ..."
"Stevens clearly adores her subject, describing him as a 'solemn, beautiful, perpetually airborne man.' Camera Man is less a traditional biography than a series of reported essays about the progress of the 20th century with Keaton at their center."
"It is impossible for any biographer to present an entire and true picture of the subject, as much as it is to know any person completely."
"Stevens offers a series of pas de deux between Keaton and other personages of his time, who shared one or another of his preoccupations or projects."
"In this thoughtful, engaging, and moving work, Slate writer Stevens posits that Buster Keaton's life is an entry point to understanding the 20th century—and vice versa ..."
"Combining the same ingredients that made Keaton's movies indelible—an elegant narrative, humor, and pathos—Stevens's account isn't one to miss."
"General readers, history buffs and deep-cut Keaton historians alike will laugh, cry and marvel at both the world of Buster Keaton and the effect he had on cinema."
"Steven's incisive, encompassing, and invigorating portrait will deepen and revitalize appreciation for his genius."
"Stevens rightly bemoans the poor treatment of women in the cinema of that era, so it's odd she doesn't note that many lead actresses in Keaton's great films—Sybil Seely in One Week, Kathryn McGuire in The Navigator, Marion Mack in The General—more than hold their own and are every bit the Keaton character's equal."
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