THE RAILRODDER

www.nfb.ca
A screen short starring Buster Keaton, this is one of the last films of the comedian's long career. As "the railrodder" he crosses Canada from east to west on a railway track speeder. As might be expected, the film is full of sight gags as Keaton putt-putts his way to British Columbia. Not a word is spoken throughout, and Keaton is as spry and ingenious at fetching laughs as he was in the days of the silent slapsticks. Film without words.

• Category

  Film & Animation

[vrikey]

Words can't describe what I feel when watchig this. I want to zoom back to the 60s and be right there by Buster's side, a long trek cross-country, reading the paper together

[Dimcle]

The best part of all is when he's knitting (at about 17:43 just before he opens the lid of that marvellous orange box) and when he pulls on the thread of wool, you hear a lamb "baaaa". It's very quick, but it's the best "bit" in the whole film.

[1848dragoon]

"The Doctor" and his stolen "Tardis" having adventures. :-)

[1848dragoon]

That red box must have been the first "Tickle Trunk".

[dinomate01]

Thanks for posting this ! Buster Keaton was very talented even in his later years that shows what a great actor he was !

[dttilluminatihotmail]

9:25 favorite part when I saw this as a kid.

[jsilence418]

After the days filming ,Buster would go back to his personal rail car and watch the World Series. This film always makes me feel good, thanks NFB and thank you Buster Keaton.

[jsilence418]

I love you Eleanor, HELP rocks and so do you.

[izue henderson]

this is beautiful.It is definetely not "fake"as one comment said.One of the best short films ever.

[JENDALL714]

He taught Lucy the art of comedy.

[eleanor bron]

Look up "buster keaton pulling a train" to see a funny behind the scenes gag that Buster did while filming this.