By the time these interview segments were taped, Buster Keaton had been struggling with lung cancer – - diagnosed as bronchitis – - for decades. His voice is a very low croak, but you can still hear the elements of what his voice must have sounded like while he was working on Steamboat Bill Jr. or The General. He says, “Worsh” in lieu of wash, “pitcher” instead of picture, and there’s a bit of a musical quality to it as well.
Between these pronunciations and the wild duck dinner that he requests, there’s a solid earthiness to Keaton that shows how much went into these roles in which he appeared to weigh about ten pounds, walk about an inch off the ground, and possibly be the heir to a distant (and presumably silent) kingdom.
One of the odder ideas that people have about silents is that they are bloodless, inoffensive affairs that are pleasing to everybody and are inherently decent. But in Buster’s voice, you can get a sense of the real making of silent film – - the bruises and the broken bones brought about by dedication and enthusiasm to a lost art form.
Tags: BUSTER KEATON, SILENT FILM
