Buster Keaton: Tempest in a Flat Hat

This critically acclaimed biography celebrates one of cinema's greatest clowns, painting a detailed portrait of the man behind the mayhem and offering a fresh look at the classic comedies that defined the Golden Age of Silent Film.
Edward McPherson takes the reader on a fascinating journey through Buster Keaton's life and times, from the vaudeville stage to the glittering screens of early Hollywood, where he rivaled even Charlie Chaplin as the master of silent comedy. McPherson rediscovers the joy and humor in Keaton's 1920s films, revealing Keaton in his prime--as antic genius, equal parts auteur, innovator, prankster, and daredevil. With infectious enthusiasm, insightful analysis, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, this is a biography as exuberant and captivating as the man himself. 40 b/w photos.