Buster Keaton’s Masterpiece: “The General”

One of the most revered comedies of the silent era, featuring live improvised piano accompaniment by David Arner.

Introduction and post screening discussion led by Dionne Bennett, PhD.

This film finds hapless Southern railroad engineer Johnny Gray (Buster Keaton) facing off against Union soldiers during the American Civil War. When Johnny’s fiancée, Annabelle Lee (Marion Mack), is accidentally taken away while on a train stolen by Northern forces, Gray pursues the soldiers, using various modes of transportation in comic action scenes that highlight Keaton’s boundless wit and dexterity.