The General (1926)

Directors:

Clyde Bruckman
Buster Keaton

Writers:

Buster Keaton (written by) and
Clyde Bruckman (written by) ...
(more)

Release Date:

24 February 1927 (France)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Romance | War

Tagline:

Love, Locomotives and Laughs

Plot:

When Union spies steal an engineer's beloved locomotive, he pursues it single handedly and straight through enemy lines.

Plot Keywords:

General | Confederate | Train | Love | Spy

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Marion Mack	...	Annabelle Lee
Glen Cavender	...	Captain Anderson
Jim Farley	...	General Thatcher
Frederick Vroom	...	A Southern General
Charles Henry Smith	...	Annabelle's Father (as Charles Smith)
Frank Barnes	...	Annabelle's Brother
Joe Keaton	...	Union General
Mike Donlin	...	Union General
Tom Nawn	...	Union General
Buster Keaton	...	Johnny Gray
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Henry Baird	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Joe Bricher	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Jimmy Bryant	...	Raider (uncredited)
Sergeant Bukowski	...	Officer (uncredited)
C.C. Cruson	...	Officer (uncredited)
Jack Dempster	...	Raider (uncredited)
Keith Fennell	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Budd Fine	...	Raider (uncredited)
Eddie Foster	...	Union Railroad Fireman (uncredited)
Ronald Gilstrap	...	Union Soldier (uncredited)
Frank Hagney	...	Confederate Recruiter (uncredited)
Ray Hanford	...	Raider (uncredited)
Jackie Hanlon	...	Boy Who Follows Johnny (uncredited)
Al Hanson	...	Raider (uncredited)
Anthony Harvey	...	Raider (uncredited)
Edward Hearn	...	Union Officer (uncredited)
Boris Karloff	...	Union General (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Hilliard Karr	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Elgin Lessley	...	Union General Who Gives Command to Cross Bridge (uncredited)
Louis Lewyn	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Jackie Lowe	...	Boy Who Follows Johnny (uncredited)
Billy Lynn	...	Soldier (uncredited)
Ross McCutcheon	...	Raider (uncredited)
Tom Moran	...	Raider (uncredited)
Charles Phillips	...	Raider (uncredited)
Red Rial	...	Raider (uncredited)
Al St. John	...	Officer on Horseback (uncredited)
Harold Terry	...	Union Soldier (uncredited)
Ray Thomas	...	Raider (uncredited)
Red Thompson	...	Raider (uncredited)
James Walsh	...	Soldier (uncredited)
John Wilson	...	Union Soldier (uncredited)
Jean Woodward	...	Undetermined Role (uncredited)

Directed by
Clyde Bruckman
Buster Keaton

Writing credits
Buster Keaton		(written by) and
Clyde Bruckman		(written by)
Al Boasberg		(adaptation) and
Charles Henry Smith		(adaptation) (as Charles Smith)
William Pittenger		book "Daring and Suffering: a History of the Great Railroad Adventure" (uncredited)
William Pittenger		memoir "The Great Locomotive Chase" (uncredited)
Paul Girard Smith		uncredited

Produced by
David H. Shepard	....	video producer (2003 alternate version) (as David Shepard)
Buster Keaton	....	producer (uncredited)
Joseph M. Schenck	....	executive producer (uncredited)
Joseph M. Schenck	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
The Alloy Orchestra		(2003 alternate version)
Carl Davis		(1987)
Robert Israel		(1995 New Score)
Joe Hisaishi		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Bert Haines		(photographed by)
Devereaux Jennings		(photographed by) (as Dev Jennings)

Film Editing by
Buster Keaton		(uncredited)
Sherman Kell		(uncredited)

Art Direction by
Fred Gabourie		(uncredited)

Set Decoration by
Harry Roselotte		(uncredited)

Makeup Department
Bennie Hubbel	....	assistant makeup artist (uncredited)
J.K. Pitcarin	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Fred Carlton Ryle	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Lou Anger	....	production supervisor (uncredited)
Fred Gabourie	....	production manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Harry Barnes	....	first assistant director (uncredited)
Glen Cavender	....	second unit director (uncredited)
Edward Hearn	....	assistant director: Oregon (uncredited)

Art Department
Frank Barnes	....	construction foreman (uncredited)
Jack Coyle	....	carpenter (uncredited)
William Ernshaw	....	bridge timber crew (uncredited)
Al Gilmour	....	production buyer (uncredited)
Mike Graves	....	assistant property master (uncredited)
Bert Jackson	....	property master (uncredited)
H.L. Jennings	....	bridge and dam construction (uncredited)
George E. Potter	....	bridge timber contractor (uncredited)
Billy Wood	....	chief draughtsman (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Jack Little	....	special effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Buster Keaton	....	stunts (uncredited)
Earl Mohan	....	stunt double: Tom Moran (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Denver Harmon	....	lighting effects
Frank Barnes	....	grip (uncredited)
Dal Clawson	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Elmer Ellsworth	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Denver Harmon	....	chief lighting technician (uncredited)
Byron Houck	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Byron Houck	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Ed Levy	....	assistant chief lighting technician (uncredited)
William Piltz	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Melbourne Spurr	....	publicity photographer (uncredited)
Harry J. Wild	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Bennie Hubbel	....	assistant wardrobe (uncredited)
J.K. Pitcarin	....	wardrobe (uncredited)
Fred Carlton Ryle	....	assistant wardrobe (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Harry Barnes	....	assistant editor (uncredited)
Sherman Kell	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Robert Israel	....	music arranger: 1995 alternate version
Robert Israel	....	music director: 1995 alternate version
Hiroyuki Akita	....	music engineer: Joe Hisaishi score (uncredited)
James C. Bradford	....	music compiler (uncredited)
Suminobu Hamada	....	Joe Hisaishi Score (uncredited)
Suminobu Hamada	....	music engineer (uncredited)
Suminobu Hamada	....	music mixer (uncredited)
Joe Hisaishi	....	Joe Hisaishi Score (uncredited)
Joe Hisaishi	....	conductor (uncredited)
Joe Hisaishi	....	music arranger (uncredited)
Joe Hisaishi	....	music producer (uncredited)
Joe Hisaishi	....	musician (uncredited)
Joe Hisaishi	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Scott Joplin	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)
Ikuko Okamoto	....	Joe Hisaishi Score (uncredited)
Ikuko Okamoto	....	music production manager (uncredited)
William P. Perry	....	composer: new piano score (uncredited)
Nic Raine	....	orchestrator: Carl Davis score (uncredited)

Other crew
Fred Gabourie	....	technical director
Joseph M. Schenck	....	presenter
Lou Anger	....	production accountant: Los Angeles (uncredited)
Dr. Axley	....	first aid (uncredited)
Harry Brand	....	production coordinator (uncredited)
Harry Brand	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Betty Cavender	....	production secretary (uncredited)
Glen Cavender	....	technical advisor (uncredited)
John W. Considine Jr.	....	assistant production coordinator (uncredited)
Jack Dempster	....	engineer (uncredited)
Christine Francis	....	script supervisor (uncredited)
Dr. Frost	....	first aid (uncredited)
Wesley G. Gilmour	....	production accountant: Oregon (uncredited)
L.L. Graham	....	production assistant: Oregon (uncredited)
Bob Holmes	....	production assistant: Oregon (uncredited)
Bert Jackson	....	location manager (uncredited)
Ralph Land	....	chef (uncredited)
Fred A. Lowry	....	brakeman (uncredited)
George E. Potter	....	caterer (uncredited)
Viola Riddle	....	cook: Mr. Keaton (uncredited)
Willie Riddle	....	assistant: Mr. Keaton (uncredited)
Dee Wright	....	wrangler (uncredited)
Fred Wright	....	chief mechanic (uncredited)
Fred Wright	....	fire fighter (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Buster Keaton Productions
• Joseph M. Schenck Productions (A United Artists Production)

Distributors

• United Artists (1927) (USA) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1927) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Raymond Rohauer (1955) (worldwide) (theatrical)
• 1More Film (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Andrés Vicente Gómez Montero (1982) (Spain) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Cineteca S.A. (1972) (Spain) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Radio Films S.A.E. S.A. (1962) (Spain) (theatrical) (re-release)
• Stadtkino Verleih (2005) (Austria) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Aikman Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Alpha Video Distributors (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Catcom Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Delta Expedition (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Divisa Home Video (2003) (Spain) (DVD)
• Eureka Entertainment (1999) (UK) (DVD)
• Eureka Video (2003) (UK) (DVD)
• FilmAnnex (2006) (worldwide) (all media)
• GoodTimes Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Home Box Office Home Video (HBO) (1987) (USA) (VHS)
• Image Entertainment (1995) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Image Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Image Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Kino Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Kino Video (2009) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Kino Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• LS Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Madacy Entertainment (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Madman Entertainment (2006) (Australia) (DVD)
• Madman Entertainment (2006) (New Zealand) (DVD)
• Marathon Music & Video (1998) (USA) (VHS)
• Navarre Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Passport International Entertainment (????) (USA) (DVD)
• Reel Media International (2004) (worldwide) (VHS)
• Reel Media International (2007) (worldwide) (all media)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (1991) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Rohauer Collection (1987) (USA) (VHS)
• Suntower Communications (2003) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Thames Video Collection (1987) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Anderson & Middleton  catering (uncredited)
• Arcade Theater  screening facilities (uncredited)
• Avaco Creative Studio  music recorded at (Joe Hisaishi Score)
• Cameo Music Service Corp.  music publishing (uncredited)
• Film Preservation Associates  special contents copyrighted by (1995 alternate version)
• Screen Time Images  film restoration (uncredited)
• Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra  orchestra (Joe Hisaishi Score)
• Western Costume Company  costumes (uncredited)
• Western Costume Company  wardrobe (uncredited)
• Wonder City  music production management (Joe Hisaishi Score)
• Wonder Station  music mixed at (Joe Hisaishi Score)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

Australia:107 min | Spain:80 min (1982 version) | Spain:83 min (1962 version) | USA:75 min (2003 alternate version) | 78 min (24 fps)

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White (Sepiatone)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Portugal:M/6 (DVD rating) | UK:U | South Korea:All (2002) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Australia:G | Norway:7 (original rating) | Norway:A (re-rating) (2004) | Portugal:17 (director's cut) | Sweden:Btl | USA:Unrated | West Germany:6 | Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Cottage Grove, Oregon, USA

Company:

Buster Keaton Productions

Trivia:

A number of celebrities have cameos in this film: Glen Cavender had been a hero in the Spanish-American War. Also, Frederick Vroom had appeared earlier in Keaton's The Navigator (1924) as the girl's father whose ship is hijacked. Keaton's former director of photography, Elgin Lessley, has a cameo as the Union general who gives the command to cross the burning bridge. Producer Louis Lewyn has a bit part as a soldier.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Johnny is running through the woods to escape the Union soldiers, his hat drops from the tree before his head hits the hat to dislodge it.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Annabelle's brother:Fort Sumter has been fired upon.
Mr. Lee:Then the war is here.
Annabelle's brother:Yes, dad, and I'm going to be one of the first to enlist.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Popcorn of Doom (2003) (V)

Keaton is amazing

I've seen one other silent movie in my life, but it was Mel Brooks's The Silent Movie so I don't know if it really counts. I really enjoyed The General overall, more than I thought I would as someone who was born after The Godfather.

The main thing that surprised me was the fact that I couldn't look down to write very many notes; any time I took my eyes off the screen I ran a serious risk of missing something. It seems to me that the film, even though it was long (or seemed so), it was very dense in terms of action. I imagine that since the movie has no dialogue, the filmmakers must make up for it by making it as visually interesting and entertaining as possible. I am accustomed to more modern movies with snappy dialogue and special effects and such-movies in which you can look down at your popcorn or kiss your date and not miss too much because you can hear pretty much what's happening. This was a nice change for me.

Obviously, I've never seen a Buster Keaton film, and I'm not even sure if I'd heard of him before this class. But I can see why he is so appealing in his films. I loved his facial expressions, particularly the stoic-but-crestfallen look in his eyes on the train when something else goes wrong. He also has great control of his body, as we discussed in class, and a fine sense of comic timing.

I found the film surprisingly funny. Many modern films that I think are funny (e.g. Austin Powers, Toy Story, American Beauty) rely largely on witty or outrageous dialogue for their humor. As a silent film, The General must rely mainly on images for its humor-the slapstick images of Johnnie falling over constantly, the unusual image of Johnnie riding up and down on the crossbar between the train wheels, the stereotype exploitation in the scene when the girl sweeps out the locomotive. I'm sure that some of the things that I considered amusing might not have been considered funny by the original audience, such as the record-scratch lightning bolts.

I really liked some of the cinematic techniques and blocking that Keaton used. One of my favorite scenes in the entire film is when Johnnie is chopping wood on the train while the Southern army retreats in the opposite direction in the background. Even though the `real' army is pulling back, the one they didn't want is rushing into enemy territory. It's a nice integration of plot and character commentary. I also liked the way he kept cutting back and forth between the Yankees on their trains and Johnnie on his, at first the pursuer, then the pursuee. By continually showing us what both sides are doing, Keaton builds the tension between them, adds to the comic effect, and keeps the audience interested by always giving them something different to look at. This montage technique is used in nearly all action films and many comedy films today.

I did not realize that the rain and fire sound effects were added in later. I think they are interesting, and I can see why someone put them in, but I think I would prefer that the film be left the way it was originally shown. Or at least they should take out the chirping birds. Some people complained about the repetitiveness of the music, but I found the music quaint and very much in the character of the movie. It was as if each person or group had its own theme music, perhaps to make up for the lack of dialogue. The use of the `Beautiful Dreamer' love theme reminds me of the `Dreamweaver' love theme in Wayne's World that plays when Garth sees the blonde woman.

Although the battle scene was interesting, I agreed with much of the class that the movie could have ended earlier. The movie seemed to change a bit once the entire army got involved and the focus left Johnnie for a time. Perhaps they could have ended the battle scene with the Southern army lying in wait for the enemy, and then cut to a later scene in which Johnnie receives an honorary enlistment so he can get the girl. But hey, then Keaton wouldn't have gotten to play with the bridge fire and the dam; maybe audiences then weren't so different from us, and would prefer an exciting ending for a movie like this over a more subdued one. But I still think it changed the character of the movie and should have been changed somehow.

Overall I give it a 9/10. If you've never seen a silent movie, this is a great one to start with.