Page 40 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 146

40 Issue #146 March 2025 www.sportsenergynews.com

In Reel Time

Plights, Camera, Action

lady, he trades his camera in for a
By Nicholai Adams
used recording camera. . . though he
has no clue what he is doing.
ften deemed to be the last classic
Ofilm made by the great Buster Creating two open avenues for a
Keaton, The Cameraman (1928) was number of classic Keaton gags, he
the final time the silent legend would frequently tries to woo Sally whilst
have anything close to full creative she sends him out with tips for stories
control over one of his own features. – so that he can gain experience
. . as he folded his independent studio mastering the new technology.
to sign with Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer For sports fans, the most memorable
(MGM) – who promptly made him
gag finds him showing up at Yankee
their third highest paid star.
Stadium to shoot some footage of the
Though his future would soon turn game. . . only for the team to be on the Photo Submitted
very bleak, this first film with the new road in St. Louis. Providing a striking
studio was his own idea. After a lot of view of the famous locale just five chair. . . only for him to take a fall, but Lastly, it is also worth noting
fighting with meddlesome producer years into its tenure (and already
don’t worry, he’ll make an amazing another one of Keaton’s co-stars,
Lawrence Weingarten, MGM hired empty at the time for renovations), manoeuver to return to his spot. It is Josephine the monkey. A scene-stealer
director Edward Sedgwick who Keaton uses the massive empty maybe even more on the nose when that appears during the third act of
quickly stepped aside for Keaton building to create his own game – he finds himself recording bullet- the motion picture, both comedy and
(making him the uncredited director playing multiple different positions to flying action amidst a Chinatown
of the movie), as well as much mimic the sport he so loved. turf war between two rival gangs, his creativity come alive thanks to this
approval of the dailies from studio Meanwhile, for fans of action, seemingly impromptu defense a clear unexpected playmate of a primate.
head of production Irving Thalberg, you’ll quickly realize why Keaton is connection to Chan’s unique style. Though not as awe inspiring in
Keaton was able to convince the man still so highly regarded and influential its scope to 1927’s The General or
to lose the many writers that had – perhaps most recently in the John As for the romance, it never quite earlier in 28’s Steamboat Bill Jr.,
been attached to the project (as well goes to plan – especially when fellow The Cameraman provided Buster
Wick franchise (which is completely cameraman Stagg (Harold Goodwin)
as their script) and do it ‘mostly’ his understandable when you see him Keaton with his last chance to shine.
way. Soon after finishing this picture is around. At one point, Buster takes
move onscreen). And, in at least one Sally for a swim at the Venice Plunge, Capturing all of the comedic magic
and moving on to his next project, way, he is the original Tom Cruise that the silent era has to offer, running
Split Marriage, he called the MGM – running at top speed through city which is quite the sight (and sadly gags play throughout, danger rears
deal, “the worst mistake of my life”. disappeared to time all the way back in
streets and crowds. . . a Mission: 1945). This itself provides an historic its ugly dead (a one story fall from
Providing the viewer with an Impossible some seventy years before picture of the past, an intriguing a wooden platform collapsing would
inside look at the life of an MGM the first film was made. cavernous backdrop for Buster as he probably lead to broken bones for
newsreel cameraman, Keaton plays Another Keaton afficionado is struggles to change into a bathing most people), and even romance
Buster, a down on his luck, street- Jackie Chan, and you can see some suit in the same room as another man, comes alive for the Great Stone
working tintype portrait photographer of his influences here. A bus scene in only for his date to unknowingly have Face. Though Keaton would make
who falls for a woman named Sally Police Story has many a similarity to a see-through top (it looks like they some more movies. . . and would
(Marceline Day) who is forced his The Cameraman, as Buster is forced only figured this out after filming then continue on by writing gags for
way on the busy streets of New York to the top of the double decker bus some scenes, as the outfit is adjusted ‘modern’ comedians like the Marx
City.
while his girlfriend is on the main later – but they never went back to fix Brothers and Red Skelton, this is
Snapping a photo of her, he brings it level. Scaling down the exterior the earlier shots), and, to add to his truly his last great hurrah. So, bust
to her place of work – as a secretary in of the vehicle to sit upon the inner embarrassment, loses his own attire the vaults open to see this cameraman
the MGM Newsreels office. Trying to fender protecting the bus tire, it during a dive – it certainly seems like parade around his many skills, it’s
gain favour with the beautiful young provides him with an improvised he might have shot it in the skinny. worth a harrowing rescue.