Customer Reviews

Cameraman [VHS]

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"The Cameraman" (1928) is one of Keaton's best silent features. He starts off the movie playing a tintype photographer selling portraits on the streets of NY for 10 cents. He wants to become a newsreel cameraman but is burdened only with the tintype camera that is condescendingly referred to by his jealous rival as a "cocktail shaker" (1920s silent film "dialogue" seems to veer towards an obsession with liquor. Actually, the camera looks more like a chrome spacecraft from an Ed Wood picture). Keaton ends up trading in his tintype for an obsolete newsreel camera that the other news guys make fun of, but seems to work pretty well throughout the film, and which ends up making him a hero at the film's ending.

Unfortunately for us, the print on this edition is not too good. It's very shadowy and has that viewing quality of silent pictures made in the 1910s. In other words, it's not very clear. But the reason is probably because this film is so good that it was once viewed continuously at the MGM screening rooms by the rookie gag writers under contract to MGM and used as a basis of what was regarded as being funny. There are 2 scenes missing from this picture, probably because of that reason. One involves the exit of an admiral from a hotel. The gag was supposed to involve Keaton getting this guy mixed up with the hotel's doorman. We are robbed of this potentially wonderful scene because after it starts, the film immediately cuts to Keaton displaying samples of his filmwork in the newsreel office's screening room. The newsreel samples are a mixture of double exposures and other convoluted scenes (one of which shows a ship in the middle of a street - I think it involved the 2nd lost scene) intended to show us the amateurish quality of his work, but unintentionally look more like a scary nightmare when combined with the murky quality of this edition's print.

But there are other scenes worth mentioning here, i.e., Keaton doing a pantomime of every player in a baseball game (filmed at Yankee Stadium, and judging by the minute details he gives us of each player's job, it's obvious Keaton is acting out a real-life labor of love - for more Keaton baseball, see "One-Run Elmer"), sharing a tiny bathing suit changing room with another guy (it's not even big enough for one), and a frightening scene showing him filming a Chinatown Tong war that gets out of hand.

"The Cameraman" is a 5-star picture, but because this VHS print is kind of worn out, it may be irritating to some viewers who would not have the patience to just appreciate it for its artistic quality. It's a good picture, and it made me weep uncontrollably (I'm a girl!).

Despite the loss of his creative independence, Buster Keaton somehow was able to make a comic masterpiece within the studio-system constrictions of MGM. "The Cameraman" shows Keaton at the height of his cinematic powers, with some terrific set pieces (such as his solitary baseball game at the newly built Yankee Stadium) and moments of unexpected pathos. The Great Stone Face's 1928 silent comedy remains among his all-time best. However, do not judge this superb film by the faded, unwatchable print provided by MGM for this VHS edition - it never should have been issued.

The tape I bought of this film is so bad, faces are turned into dark hair, an occasional mouth or eyes, and nothing but white in between - no expressions. And if I didn't already know the plot, I would have almost no idea of what is going on.

If there is a better copy out there, wait to buy until someone makes a copy of it. It's too frustrating to try to watch a bad copy of such a good film.

This is one of Keaton's best films, and the copy of it that I have on laserdisk is beautiful. However, for some reason, the studio chose not to use its cleaned-up, remastered version on the VHS tape. I bought the VHS tape as a gift and was appalled at how awful the video image quality was - the worst I have ever seen. I say this as one who is used to viewing silent films. The price they are charging for a tape with such poor image quality (especially when they have already remastered the video) is, to put it kindly, extremely hard to justify.

Though I have no idea how good the quality of this copy is, The Cameraman should not be missed. Buster Keaton, one of the greatest silent film stars is one of the most honest performers I have ever seen. I really wish this would be released on DVD! If you're looking for just a fun, honest and good film, see The Cameraman-you'll love it!

This is my favorite Buster Keaton movie. I have watched it so many times I've lost count. The best thing about this movie is the lovely relationship Buster's character has with his leading lady, played by Marceline Day, who died not too long ago. She is his best leading lady, so sensitive and touching. So if you are looking for an hysterically funny comedy with lots of inventive slapstick, with a refreshing and tender romance thrown in for good measure, you will definitely love The Cameraman. I think it's one of the best 100 films ever made.

Keaton at his best - and that's saying a lot! I encourage anyone interested in silent films, or if you have a friend who might be curious to see something from that era, start on this one! The image quality varies quite a bit. (As is mentioned by previous reviewers, MGM literally wore out their original negative.) I've seen 90 year old viewers glow as they remember Keaton from their youth and even teenagers who realize "hey, that guy's pretty cool." I'm not sure if another better print is ever coming (I was led to believe the superior footage long-hoped for is already included in this version), so don't wait!

"The Cameraman" is a gentle, subtle, hilarious film that was once used as "the" film to train would-be comedians at MGM as to what real comedy *should* be. Including brilliant Keatonian comedic scenes that have been copied by people as diverse as Jackie Chan and Rowan Atkinson, "The Cameraman" is one of Keaton's opus'. I especially enjoy the pantomime of an entire baseball team that Keaton gives in Yankee Stadium! I don't want to give too much away, so I'll end with this: "The Cameraman" is Keaton's last great film -- a must-see. This film was used so much in training the MGM comedians that it literally wore out. However, I have been told that a higher quality version of this film should be out soon, but this is still decent quality. Well worth every penny.

THE CAMERAMAN is a very funny movie. Buster's first movie for MGM. I read somewhere that The Camerman was 95% Keaton and 5% MGM. I agree. There are many wonderful scenes. The one where Buster calls Marceline on the phone and then runs to her house before she hangs up is a classic. A great ending as well. I understand parts of the original are missing and the quality of the existing copy is not the greatest. But that is not a huge issue for me. However, because of the quality of the VHS my rating is four stars. (Kino-type quality and this would be five stars)

I have to agree with the reviewer before me,this is Keaton last great film! Luckily there are so many great ones before this to watch. The one scene that really has me laughing out loud is where Keaton is by a swimming pool. When he enters the water his bathingsuit falls off! And there he is IN THE WATER WITH NO CLOTHES! WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO? Mostly make you laugh,that's what. A great film by one of the greastest comics of all time!