Keaton knitting (a toque?) in a bison coatThe Railrodder (http://www.nfb.ca/film/railrodder/) was one of Buster Keaton's very last projects, filmed one year before his death in 1965 by the NFB, it captures him in his element and doing what he loved and is known for - mechanical tragic comedy. Although the film's intent is not so much entertainment, but a travelogue produced by the government showcasing the Canadian landscape for tourism and industry purposes. The premise is of an English man having grand visions of Canada and thus embarking on an adventure to the other side of the pond. The expedition begins with Keaton walking out of the Atlantic, with his classic stone faced expression, and immediately coming across a railway speeder. Which, of course, he liberates and begins heading west on a cross-country rail tour.
Keaton arrives, entering Montreal, the West
Along the way Keaton engages in all sorts of physical gags, confined to the speeder, while passing through the recognizable regions and cities of the land. The end of the film sees Buster standing on the western shore to admire the view. As he does so, (with an uncommonly balanced perspective for the times) a Japanese man dressed alike walks out of the Pacific and hops on the speeder heading off east.
arriving in Vancouver, Keaton's mirror-man, going East
Railways and trains are some of Keaton's favorite technologies to be at humanized odds with and have featured prominently in other films of his, such as The General (1926). The NFB was also producing another film of Keaton while shooting The Railrodder, it was a behind the scenes documentary about the production and Keaton. Called Buster Keaton Rides Again (NFB, 1965, John Spotton, 55min 25s) it shows the interactions, professional and social, of the film crew with Buster. They deal with the land, comic timing, actors, public relations, and usual daily life from the luxury of the private railcar Keaton and co were provided with. This is the only known behind the scenes footage of ol' Stone Face (http://www.nfb.ca/film/buster_keaton_rides_again/).
Keaton arrives, entering Montreal, the WestAlong the way Keaton engages in all sorts of physical gags, confined to the speeder, while passing through the recognizable regions and cities of the land. The end of the film sees Buster standing on the western shore to admire the view. As he does so, (with an uncommonly balanced perspective for the times) a Japanese man dressed alike walks out of the Pacific and hops on the speeder heading off east.
arriving in Vancouver, Keaton's mirror-man, going East
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