The General is a 1926 American silent comedy film released by United Artists. Inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase, which happened in 1862, the film stars Buster Keaton who co-directed it with Clyde Bruckman. It was adapted by Al Boasberg, Bruckman, Keaton, Paul Girard Smith (uncredited) and Charles Henry Smith (uncredited) from the memoir The Great Locomotive Chase by William Pittenger.
Because of its then-huge budget ($750,000 supplied by Metro chief Joseph Schenck) and failure to turn a significant profit, Keaton lost his independence as a filmmaker and was forced into a restrictive deal with MGM. In 1956, the film entered thepublic domain (in the USA) due to the claimant's failure to renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after publication.[2]
The film has been reevaluated, and is now considered by critics as one of thegreatest films ever made. In 2007, The General was ranked #18 by theAmerican Film Institute on their 10th Anniversary list of the 100 best American movies of all time.[3]
Friday September 26, 7:30 pm.
Hardie Screening Room
In the basement of the Hardie Building
23 Essex St.
Beverly, MA
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