The Buster Keaton Collection: Volume 1 (The General / Steamboat Bill Jr.)

The General (1927)

Southern train engineer Johnnie Gray (Buster Keaton) is turned down for service in the Confederate Army, but finds a way to help the cause when his beloved locomotive, The General, is taken by Union forces and he tries to recover it. Based on a true Civil War incident, this true classic of silent screen comedy co-stars Helen Mack, Glen Cavender, Jim Farley; co-directed by Keaton and Clyde Bruckman. 78 min. Silent with music score. BW/Rtg: NR

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)

Foppish college boy William Canfield, Jr. (Buster Keaton) returns home to visit his riverboat captain father, who disapproves of the lad's effete ways, in this silent comedy. Dad tries to teach his reluctant junior the business, but matters really come to a head when young Bill falls for the daughter of his father's arch rival, his dad gets arrested, and a hurricane approaches. Classic Keaton gags abound, including the famous falling housefront scene. Ernest Torrence and Marion Byron co-star. 70 min. Silent with music score. BW/Rtg: NR

Standard; Soundtracks: Dolby Digital 5.1 music score, Dolby Digital stereo music score.