The Railrodder

The film that I was really reminded of here turned out to have been Powell and Pressburger's "49th Parallel" -- a slice through almost exactly the same set of coast-to-coast scenery. I had no idea I could recognise Canada subconsciously like that...

"The Railrodder" is an amiable and slightly surreal travelogue, which bears a resemblance at times to a live-action version of the adventures of the Road Runner or other cartoon antics: e.g. a massive freight train vanishes into one end of a tunnel, a small railcar enters the other, and the sound of an almighty smash-up is heard from within... to unexpected result! However, despite this and the featuring of a dialogue-free Buster Keaton in the principal role (one he must surely have relished, given the emphasis on his beloved trains) it isn't really a comedy as such, but more of an off-beat ode to the Canadian landscape. There are at least two laugh-out-loud gags to treasure, though: the very typical Keaton-solution to rain in one's teacup, and the arrival of an equally intrepid voyager from the Pacific coast.

An odd little light-weight piece, on the whole amusing.

In an affectionate tribute to the silent films that made his name in the 1920s, Buster Keaton returns to the familiar character in slap shoes, baggy trousers and flat hat for this short travelogue set in Canada. The idea is simple: he gets on a tiny motorised railway buggy and travels from coast to coast, settling into his mobile home-from-home while causing or narrowly averting chaos along the way.

Under the direction of Gerald Potterton, the gags are more like a nostalgic nod in the right direction rather than laugh-out-loud funny; nevertheless, Keaton fans will find much to appreciate in the details: his familiar shambling walk, or the way Buster slips off his seat as a train rushes past him, or the way he stands on top of the buggy to scan the horizon just as he did on the locomotive in The General.

Ironically, the best sight gag is not in The Railrodder itself but in the documentary about the making of the film, when, with exquisite timing, Buster appears to stop and start a freight train by pulling it with one hand.

The Railrodder and the documentary are both currently available as extras on the MK2 restored 2-DVD edition of The General.

One year before his death in 1966, Buster Keaton, although far from the great popularity he enjoyed for the better part of the 1920's, squandered with the advent of sound under the autocratic rule of a studio that had no clue whatsoever how to use a man as talented as Buster, who had proved with THE CAMERAMAN (his first film for MGM after Jo Shenck sold his contract) to be absolutely unbeatable when left to his own devices and his own team of gagmen, the genius of silent cinema came on stage one last time for a final bow. THE RAILRODDER and the other short film he did the same year for Alan Schneider and Samuel Beckett, FILM, the first a joyous celebration of a legend, the other a sad, thoughtful examination of a man and myth; taken together, they form a great tribute to a great figure of cinema.

Although the style, the train setting, and a lot of the gags are a throwback, intentional homage, to some of Buster Keaton's most famous moments (THE GENERAL first among them), unlike the short films that made him a star in the 20's, this time Buster shares the stage. Vying for attention and getting it are both the Canadian countryside, open prairies and mountains, and the beautiful photography. To be appreciated for its cinematic merits as well as Keaton's presence, The Railrodder is a purely enjoyable, not particularly funny, but pleasant, warm, sympatico short film. And even in his old age, Buster has lost none of his stonefaced charm, that boyish naivety and oblivion to danger.

The Railrodder (1965)

** (out of 4)

This here isn't a particularly good film but at the same time it's worth watching due to its star. The Railrodder (Buster Keaton) is a man living in Europe who reads about how great Canada is so he goes there and travels the railway system where he takes in the wonderful visuals.

This twenty minute short really isn't all that good but it's slightly interesting thanks in large part to Keaton who appears in his final silent movie. There aren't any spoken words here so I'm sure the fact that the filmmakers got Keaton for the role played a huge part in this decision. What we basically see if Buster riding around and seeing various parts of Canada.

There's really not any sort of story as this here is basically just a travelogue meant to make people want to visit Canada. The photography is good enough for this type of film but I honestly can't say I wanted to visit Canada, which I guess defeats the whole purpose of the movie. Still, it's nice getting to see Keaton in this later day role.

OK. This is far from Buster Keaton's best work (The General, Seven Chances), but it just goes to show you the mastery of a style all but lost. With the insights of "Buster Keaton Ride's Again", this short silent film gives us not only a look into the past, but an art form that was almost lost forever. For 70 years young, Buster Keaton showed that age means nothing. He did all his own stunts on the rail line, and some were quite dangerous, even if he downplayed it.

Yes, this was more like an ad for "See Canada By Rail", but it doesn't take away from the magic and inspiration of the site comedy he gives us. The gags are almost all pure Keaton.

It's a fun, light-hearted ride, no more than can be expected in a 20 minute short film. And being in color, perhaps younger viewers will allow themselves to get caught up in the magic. One taste of this, and perhaps classics like the General will be next on a young viewer's list.