Review of The Cameraman (1928) by Ryan H — 16 Jul 2010

The Cameraman is a silent film that stars Buster Keaton as an awkward, love struck, and often adorable young man whose desire for the young and darling Sally (Marceline Day) causes him to purchase a camera and begin filming everything he sees with the hope of winning her affection or, at the very least, the hope of being closer to her.

The film has many memorable moments, but one in particular that captivated me was Buster playing baseball in Yankee stadium. His body language was so meticulous and so very precise that one cannot help but admire Buster Keaton as the very best; he is the original comedian. My favorite scene however is when Buster is sprinting, at inane speeds, down flights of stairs to a ringing telephone, to a wonderfully animated score-a score that is persistent through the entire film. We see him walk back up to a slower, more depressing melody and then back down he comes, quickly, to the haphazard play of music. This scene is one that I will remember for quite some time as its singular perspective altogether fascinated me. It goes without saying that the choreography in The Cameraman is as impressive as ever. Most notable is the scene in the men's dressing room at the local swimming pool.

My favorite character in this film however, isn't the title character, but The Cop played by Harold Goodwin. He stole me with his expressions when Buster was sprinting through the busy New York streets. Oh yes, and the monkey. There is something so perfect about the pairing of Buster Keaton and a monkey that you wonder why it hasn't been done before.

The Cameraman is something only Buster Keaton can perform. It is, a marvelous treat and his masterpiece.