Seeing Stars

Just watched a four-minute extract of this originally eight minute short on the "Industrial Strength Keaton" DVD collection. It marked the first time Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin were on screen together 30 years before Limelight. Nothing special concerning laughs, just a real-life gathering at the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood for the forming of the Screen Artists Guild with Buster waiting on Charlie, Chaplin's child co-star of The Kid Jackie Coogan, director Marshall Neilan who just did Penrod, and producer Thomas Ince. The inter-titles make a peppy commentary on the proceedings which resembles the kind of narration you'd hear on many '30s newsreels. Worth a look for historical purposes. P.S. If you're not familiar with Chaplin off-screen without his Tramp costume or mustache, he's on the left of the screen with Coogan.

Seeing Stars (1922)

**** (out of 4)

Here's a rather historically incredible promotional film from First National. For years it was believe that Keaton and Charles Chaplin didn't work together until Limelight but the two of them are together here. Filmed at the Ambassador Hotel in L.A., this film gathered together various silent stars to promote the Independent Film Guild. In the film Keaton is waiting on Chaplin and Jackie Coogan. No laughs but it's an incredible sight to see this film.

You can find this short on Laughsmith's Buster Keaton set.