buster keaton - Steamboat Bill Jr.

one of the most rememberable clips of buster keaton

• Category

  Comedy

[razordu30]

This is a real section of building and the stunt was based solely on measurements. If he stood even a little bit off from the mark, he would have almost certainly died. The prop house weighed over two tons.

[leej70]

Comparing Jackass to Buster Keaton is like comparing Justin Bieber to Mozart

[max8987]

who needs meths

[PrincessBunhead]

I agree with you in that it was impossible then, but now everyone does it. Just like the famous car chase in the film "Bullit" with Steve McQueen, which helped trigger the car chase films we have now. It was iconic for the time but people watch and say "Steve McQueen is the only wow factor here".

I'm a Buster fan, this scene is one his fans remember the most, could this be pulled off again? Honestly I've never seen it done by anyone else but that doesn't mean it can't.

[Concurssify]

At this point in Buster Keaton’s life, his career was about the lowest it had ever been, and his wife had divorced him or something like that, so he agreed to do it, knowing he could very well die, because he didn’t really care.

[Sanbika89]

They didn't do any test runs with the weighted wall beforehand but Buster had to have faith in the measurements. There was also nothing to stop the wall from falling either if those measurements happened to be flawed. The wall could have been let go unevenly or Buster's shoulder could have been hit and pulled him down and crushed him if he stood even a little off mark. A lot could have gone wrong.

[alsuagarful]

One of the best comments I've ever read in You Tuve. Sublime.

[greeksdorok]

Sure I geuss its like tony hawks 900, it was impossible before he did it now alot of people do it. Perhaps if no one had done it before I wouldnt be down but we will never know. Seeing this though, I see its possible and if you follow the logical steps success ensues :)

[AGenericMoron]

Even knowing that the wall is an actual wall that has some serious weight and force behind it, and also knowing that you've only got maybe two inches of clearance? Two inches isn't much at all, especially when you're putting yourself on the line.

Sure, there's "logical mind", but there's also basic survival instinct and common sense. It takes courage that borders on madness to do this, even Buster Keaton said he had to be mad to do it.

[greeksdorok]

I absolutely would If i could. How many people get the chance to say they did something like this? its not hard... you stand there... nothing can go wrong its all about not being afraid... and its kind of obvious if your standing in the right spot nothing will happen, I have a very logical mind ...

[AGenericMoron]

Really? You do it.

[greeksdorok]

Nothing impressive, you measure and stand where the measurements say. Ver very simple. Iconic because it was early film history, nothing impressive though