re: Any Buster Keaton Fans here?

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but the documentary series on the Silent Era that was filmed in the 70s and hosted by James Mason is one of the best things I've ever seen.

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Hollywood by Kevin Brownlow - watch on YT

My all time favorite documentary series.

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I started a 3 part documentary series on Buster Keaton that's on youtube last week, but I haven't gotten around to finishing it yet.

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Another Brownlow, and it's also great. All his docs are, actually.

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I have never been able to get into silent films,

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Watch some comedy shorts, especially Keaton and Lloyd. Then move into their features. Then perhaps Douglas Fairbanks, who did swashbuckling action films laced w/comedy.

As director King Vidor says in the first episode of Hollywood, silent films were different b/c you had to pay constant attention. With talkies you can turn away and the dialogue will keep you aware of what's going on. But turn away from a silent film and you may miss something.