Buster Keaton
Born Oct. 4, 1895, in Piqua, Kansas, to a pair of vaudevillians, Buster Keaton developed his trademark deadpan demeanor and physical agility early by appearing in the family act -- a routine that involved throwing young Buster all over the stage and into the audience while he remained expressionless throughout.

After Keaton's family act disbanded, fellow vaudevillian Fatty Arbuckle invited him to appear in his two-reel comedy The Butcher Boy, a pairing that resulted in 15 more comic hits (which Keaton also wrote and co-directed). Keaton's first solo effort, The Saphead, led to the formation of his own production company, and by 1921, he was writing, directing and starring in his own films, including his masterpiece, The General (1927).

Keaton's later films include Charlie Chaplin's Limelight (1952), Around the World in 80 Days and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966).

Featured Movies
  • The GeneralThe General

    Rejected by the Confederate Army as unfit and taken for a coward by his beloved Annabelle (Marion Mack), Johnnie Gray (Buster Keaton) sets out to single-handedly win the war with his cherished locomotive in this classic silent action-comedy. When Northern spies steal his train, the intrepid... Read More

  • Our Hospitality / Sherlock Jr.Our Hospitality / Sherlock Jr.

    Silent-film master Buster Keaton directs and acts in this double feature. Both films in this classic combo showcase Keaton's amazing physical comedy, innovative visual effects and captivating personality. In Our Hospitality, Keaton resurrects a long-standing Southern feud when he falls for a gal on... Read More

  • Steamboat Bill, Jr.Steamboat Bill, Jr.

    A young dandy (Buster Keaton) gets caught in the midst of a feud between his father, Steamboat Bill Sr. (Ernest Torrence), and rival riverboat proprietor J.J. King (Tom McGuire). As Bill Sr. goes about toughening up his foppish son, Junior is busy falling for -- who else? -- King's daughter (Marion... Read More

  • The NavigatorThe Navigator

    Millionaire Rollo Treadway (Buster Keaton) sets off on a cruise to mend his broken heart after his beloved, Betsy (Kathryn McGuire), rejects his marriage proposal. Naturally, Rollo ends up at the wrong pier and boards a dilapidated boat, which (as it happens) Betsy has also boarded. Foreign... Read More

  • TCM Archives: Buster Keaton CollectionTCM Archives: Buster Keaton Collection

    Celebrate the genius of master comedian Buster Keaton with this program, which gathers some of his best-known works, including 1928's The Cameraman (featured here with a new score) and 1929's silent movie Spite Marriage. Also featured is 1930's Free and Easy, one of the industry's earliest talkies... Read More

All Buster Keaton Movies
Kings and Queens of Slapstick (2008)
NR
The First Kings of Comedy Collection (2007)
NR
Masters of the Silent Screen (2007)
NR
Buster Keaton: 65th Anniversary Collection (2006)
NR
Forgotten Films of "Fatty" Arbuckle (2005)
NR
Hollywood Rivals Collection (2005)
NR
Comedy Legend: Buster Keaton (2005)
NR
Slapstick, Too (2004)
NR
Funniest Moments of the Century (2004)
NR
Arbuckle & Keaton: Vol. 1 (2001)
NR
Arbuckle & Keaton: Vol. 2 (2001)
NR
Hidden Hollywood II (2000)
NR
100 Years of Comedy (1997)
NR
A Funny Thing Happened... (1966)
NR
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965)
NR
Beach Blanket Bingo / ...Wild Bikini (1965)
NR
Buster Keaton Rides Again / The Railrodder (1965)
UR
Pajama Party (1964)
UR
30 Years of Fun (1963)
NR
Burke's Law: Season 1: Vol. 2 (1963)
NR
The Great Chase (1962)
UR
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960)
G
When Comedy Was King (1960)
NR
Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
G
Limelight (1952)
(Bonus materials available separately)
NR
Sunset Boulevard (1950)
NR
In the Good Old Summertime (1949)
NR
The Ed Wynn Show: Vol. 2 (1949)
NR
Forever and a Day (1943)
The Changing World
NR
The Villain Still Pursued Her (1940)
NR
Hollywood Cavalcade (1939)
NR
Lost Keaton (1935)
NR
Speak Easily (1932)
NR
Parlour, Bedroom & Bath (1931)
NR
TCM Archives: Buster Keaton Collection (1929)
NR
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
NR
College (1927)
NR
The General (1926)
NR
Our Hospitality / Sherlock Jr. (1926)
NR
Battling Butler (1926)
NR
Seven Chances (1925)
NR
Go West (1925)
NR
The Navigator (1924)
NR
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
NR
Our Hospitality (1923)
NR
Three Ages (1923)
NR
Keaton Plus (1921)
NR
Laurel & Hardy: Collector's Edition (1921)
NR
The Saphead (1920)
NR
The Cook and Other Treasures (1917)
NR
Slapstick Masters (1917)
Easy Street / One Week / Chasing Choo-Choos / Big Business
NR
The Arbuckle Keaton Collection (1917)
NR
Slapstick Encyclopedia (1909)
NR

 
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