It's somewhat fitting that the latest Jackie Chan movie is opening the same weekend that the San Diego Symphony is presenting "The General" (January 16 at Symphony Hall) with Buster Keaton. The great silent clown and this film were both influential on the Hong Kong stuntman/comedian/action star.
Watching Buster Keaton's "The General" with its carefully constructed sight gags and stunts provides an insight into how Jackie Chan approached his own stunts and physical comedy. Chan also cited Keaton's contemporary Harold Lloyd and MGM musical star Gene Kelly as major sources of inspiration. But this Saturday you will have the rare opportunity to see Keaton in peak form on the big screen in"The General."
The San Diego Symphony will have the Fox Theatre Organ accompany Keaton’s classic comedy about a man in pursuit of his train. Keaton plays an engineer whose beloved locomotive is stolen by Union spies during the Civil War. So he heads toward enemy lines to get it back.
Organist Russ Peck will perform the original score by Lee Erwin and will participate in a Q & A after the screening.
Tickets are $20 & $30. (San Diego Symphony does not appear on this film screening event.)
Hope you'll join me for this silent classic featuring "The Great Stone Face."
