#james curtis

llpodcast:

Buster Keaton’s biography is a very in depth and provocative biography that leaves no stone unturned.

This biography is a very interesting read that gives a lot of details from the birth to his death.  It includes almost minute by minute details of his films, stage performances and life.  It is a very comprehensive read that fully immerses itself into the life of Keaton.

The author has done a phenomenal job giving a comprehensive study of a comic genius from cradle to death and to gather interviews from vaudeville and silent screen is a major feat within itself.  The making of the shorts and how each comedy section in the films in great deal is a treasure trove of information.  The book does jump from the last film Keaton did and back to his birth and forward, but this is very sporadic and does not take away from the rhythm of the book.  

Curtis traces the growth of Keaton and then we get the downward years which are simply heart-breaking. We follow his decline and how a company did not appreciate the genius that they have and how this would lead to drink and a sense of helplessness.  

Overall, this is an excellent biography and though it is very lengthy the reader will end up aficionado of all of Keaton work and will start to hunt down his career via his silent films and other work.  I know I did. I liked Keaton but because of this book, I am now a true fan and will be doing a Keaton series on my show in the next season to celebrate the man and his work.  The only bad thing is because of the in-depth writing, I spent weeks and weeks reading this book which put my other reviews on the side but saying that I am glad I did.  Fantastic and a must read.