Buster Keaton

Railrodder / Silent Partner Buster Keaton

A late-career Buster Keaton double feature; THE RAILRODDER (1965) Keaton's 87th film, features old stone face swimming across the Atlantic to take a grand tour of Canada on a gas-powered handcar. In THE SILENT PARTNER (1955) Keaton stars as Kelsey Dutton, a former silent-film comedian fallen upon hard times. While visiting a neighborhood tavern, Kelsey is recognised by Selma (ZaSu Pitts), herself an ex-actress. Their happy reunion is spoiled by the Academy Award telecast being shown on the bar's TV set, in which prominent actor-director Arthur Vail (Joe E. Brown), accepting an Oscar, flippantly refers to Kelsey and Selma as washed-up hasbeens.