The Cameraman 1928
After a casual encounter with the charming Sally Richards (Marceline Day), the shy, clumsy and now very much in love Luke Shannon (Keaton) enters the MGM building determined to impress a busy media boss and land a job as a studio cameraman. If he gets the job Luke will spend most of his time around the girl of his dreams, who is making ends meet as a secretary in the same building.

But impressing the boss proves to be an incredible challenge and the clueless cameraman repeatedly finds himself involved in bizarre 'accidents' that very quickly make him the most disliked person in the entire building. However, the girl takes notice of his persistence and eventually agrees to go out on a date with him.

On the special day when the two are supposed to learn more about each other while having fun in the city, the cameraman experiences a new round of awful 'accidents' that push his girl in the hands of another ambitious bachelor...

Directors: Edward Sedgwick, Buster Keaton
Cast: Buster Keaton, Marceline Day, Harold Goodwin
Country: USA
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance


In Spite Marriage, Keaton plays Elmer Gantry, a ‘pants presser’ (or dry cleaner) who ‘borrows’ his clients’ suits to seem above his station. Most nights he goes to the theatre to watch Trilby Drew (Dorothy Sebastian) perform, as he’s utterly besotted by her. She doesn’t reciprocate his love though. On top of Keaton being a lower-class nobody, she’s got her eye on her co-star, Lionel Benmore (Edward Earle). Unfortunately for Trilby though, Lionel is currently dating an attractive blonde called Ethyl Norcrosse (Leila Hyams). Seething with jealousy after the couple announce their engagement, Trilby tracks down Elmer and demands he marries her that night, to get her own back on Lionel, who she knows likes her.

BD50 | 1080p AVC | 01:10:28 | 45.3 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English intertitles
Subtitles: none

Extras:

Commentary - presented here is an archival audio commentary by Glenn Mitchell, author of A-Z of Silent Film Comedy. The commentary was recorded in 2004.

Spite Marriage (1929) - presented here is a brand new 2K restoration of the film, which can be viewed an commentary by film historians John Bengtson and Jeffrey Vance that was recorded in 2004. Music only. (77 min/Dolby Digital 1.0/1080p).

So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM - this archival documentary focuses on the complicated and ultimate disappointing relationship Buster Keaton had with MGM. The documentary was produced by film historian Kevin Brownlow and filmmaker Christopher Bird. In English, not subtitled. (39 min, 1080i).

Time Travelers - in this new documentary, film experts John Bengston and Marc Wanamaker discuss the evolution of Buster Keaton's career and the production of The Cameraman. There are some very interesting observations about the exact locations where key scenes from the film were shot in LA. The documentary was produced by Daniel Raim for Criterion in 2020. In English, not subtitled. (17 min, 1080p).

James L. Neibaur - in this new interview, James L. Neibaur, author of The Fall of Buster Keaton: His Films for MGM, Educational Pictures, and Columbia, discusses Buster Keaton's creative vision and style as well as his business relationship with MGM and the production of The Cameraman. The interview was conducted excursively for Criterion in 2020. In English, not subtitled. (15 min, 1080p).

The Motion Picture Camera (1979) - Karl Malkames' archival documentary examines the history of the motion picture camera. Earlier this year, it was restored in 4K by Helge Bernhardt, produced by Bruce Lawton for The Malkames Collection. In English, not subtitled. (34 min, Dolby Digital 1.0/1080p).