{"product_id":"lost-tv-classics-the-buster-keaton-show-mod-dvd-movie","title":"Lost TV Classics: The Buster Keaton Show (MOD) (DVD MOVIE)","description":"In 1949, audiences delighted to Buster Keaton's cameo in the Judy Garland musical \u003ci\u003eIn the Good Old Summertime\u003c\/i\u003e, reigniting interest in \"The Great Stone Face of Comedy.\" It wasn't long before the burgeoning new medium of television came calling. On December 22, 1949, \u003ci\u003eThe Buster Keaton Show\u003c\/i\u003e began airing live on KTTV in California, sponsored by the Studebaker Dealers of Los Angeles County. Every week, Keaton revived the deadpan pantomimes that made him one of the greatest comedians of the silent era. If many of the routines seemed familiar, it's because they were written by Keaton's longtime collaborator, Clyde Bruckman (\u003ci\u003eSherlock Jr.\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe General\u003c\/i\u003e.) Sadly, only the February 23, 1950 broadcast (included on this DVD) from this season of \u003ci\u003eThe Buster Keaton Show\u003c\/i\u003e survives on kinescope. The next year, Keaton tried to broaden the program's appeal by producing a more dialogue heavy, sitcom format version on film for national syndication. In this incarnation, Buster is an accident-prone clerk at the Hollywood Sporting Goods store. He has a crush on Betty, the store owner's pretty daughter, who of course wants nothing to do with him. Plots inevitably revolve around Buster having to raise money to save the store, or himself, from bankruptcy. Episodes were directed by Arthur Hilton, who is best known as a film editor, having worked on classics such as \u003ci\u003eThe Bank Dick\u003c\/i\u003e (1940), \u003ci\u003eScarlet Street\u003c\/i\u003e (1945), and \u003ci\u003eThe Killers\u003c\/i\u003e (1946). Director of photography was Karl Struss, the Academy Award-winning cinematographer of \u003ci\u003eSunrise\u003c\/i\u003e (1927), \u003ci\u003eThe Sign of the Cross\u003c\/i\u003e (1932), and \u003ci\u003eThe Great Dictator\u003c\/i\u003e (1940). This version of \u003ci\u003eThe Buster Keaton Show\u003c\/i\u003e also only lasted one season, but not due to lack of success. Buster simply became exhausted, physically and mentally, coming up with new visual gags in addition to recreating his old stunts every episode. After the series ended, he checked himself into a VA hospital. To keep himself afloat, he sold the rights to his life story to Paramount Pictures. The result was \u003ci\u003eThe Buster Keaton Story\u003c\/i\u003e (1957), starring Donald O'Connor. Viewed today, these rare TV shows demonstrate that Keaton was just as skilled at comedy during his later years as he was in his prime.\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eTHE GYMNASIUM STORY:\u003c\/b\u003e With his insurance examination looming, Buster asks boxer Rocky Jones to help get him back into shape. After he catches Buster making time with his wife, Rocky challenges him to a few rounds in the ring. \"The Gymnasium Story\", the only surviving episode of the live version of \u003ci\u003eThe Buster Keaton Show\u003c\/i\u003e, is directed by Philippe De Lacy, a former child actor during the silent era. Includes the original commercials for Studebaker.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eGONE FISHING:\u003c\/b\u003e Two foreign spies trick Buster into helping them locate a stolen ruby dropped offshore by submarine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eBUSTER IN TRAINING:\u003c\/b\u003e After Buster accidentally knocks out real-life wrestlers Great Scott and Lord Blears, their manager goads him into a rematch at the downtown arena.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eTHE LITTLE THEATRE STORY:\u003c\/b\u003e Betty is appearing in a play with famous actor Donald Ronald, \"The Great Profile.\" When he cancels, Buster takes his place. Keaton recreates his famous taffy pulling gag from \u003ci\u003eMy Wife's Relations\u003c\/i\u003e (1922) in this episode.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"COLOR: #0000ff\"\u003eDVD Details\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u0026gt;Rated:  NR\u003cbr\u003e\u0026gt;Runtime:  1 hours,  40 minutes\u003cbr\u003e\u0026gt;Encoding: Region 1(US \u0026amp; Canada)\u003cbr\u003e\u0026gt;Originally Released:  1\/1\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u0026gt;Label:  Alpha Video\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStarring: Buster Keaton; Lyle Talbot; Peter Leeds; Ray Erlenborn; Harold Goodwin; Harvey Parry\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"BORDER-BOTTOM: blue 3px solid; BORDER-LEFT: blue 3px solid; WIDTH: 675px; HEIGHT:140px; BORDER-TOP: blue 3px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: blue 3px solid\"\u003eThis product is made-on-demand by the manufacturer using DVD-R recordable media. Almost all DVD players can play DVD-Rs (except for some older models made before 2000) - please consult your owner's manual for formats compatible with your player. These DVD-Rs may not play on all computers or DVD player\/recorders. To address this, the manufacturer recommends viewing this product on a DVD player that does not have recording capability. \u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Alpha Video","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53382389825836,"sku":"089218817693","price":18.92,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0772\/6327\/4284\/files\/Lost-TV-Classics-The-Buster-Keaton-Show-MOD-DVD-MOVIE.jpg?v=1782476527","url":"https:\/\/www.margaritasvideostore.com\/products\/lost-tv-classics-the-buster-keaton-show-mod-dvd-movie","provider":"Margarita's Video Store LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}