tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post266362624059645849..comments2024-01-24T15:33:58.720-05:00Comments on A<br> Mythical<br> Monkey<br> writes<br> about<br> the<br> movies: May 7 Is National Train DayMythical Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-28437047107432889552011-05-09T23:51:08.500-04:002011-05-09T23:51:08.500-04:00Like all the stunts in The General, the collapse o...Like all the stunts in <i>The General</i>, the collapse of the bridge, with the locomotive going into the river, was real -- they set an old railroad bridge on fire, ran the locomotive across it and dropped the whole thing into the river.<br /><br />In fact, the locomotive sat in the river until World War II when it was used for scrap metal in the war effort.<br /><br />Speaking of laughing at death, there's also a laugh toward the end when Keaton's sword goes flying and winds up skewering a Union soldier who was about to fire on him.<br /><br />You could very easily take the same material and turn it into a serious action thriller.Mythical Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-70412753640698380202011-05-09T21:09:31.604-04:002011-05-09T21:09:31.604-04:00I thought I caught a continuity mistake when I sto...I thought I caught a continuity mistake when I stopped noticing the union general on the engine floor after Buster knocked him out ... but ... No! The opposite: was foreshadowing instead.<br /><br />Wasn't it eerie to laugh at the bridge collapsing beneath the locomotive and then catch yourself realizing that was a depiction of the death of well-meaning men -- and pretty realistic too ...Who Am Us Anyway?https://www.blogger.com/profile/08260586634760800759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-15136890076118721622011-05-08T10:11:58.535-04:002011-05-08T10:11:58.535-04:00The General is what I would show someone who has n...<i>The General</i> is what I would show someone who has never seen a silent movie -- the comedy is very modern, the action is amazing by any standard and the lack of dialogue is very nearly irrelevant.<br /><br />Katie-Bar-The-Door and I saw <i>The General</i> at the Kennedy Center a couple of years ago with the National Symphony Orchestra providing the accompaniment and it was a game-changer for me and her both. I think I can with near metaphysical certitude I wouldn't be writing about silent movies right now if we hadn't gone.<br /><br />Re: trains and National Train Day. I love trains, I admit. There's an old steam locomotive in Centennial Park in Nashville where I grew up which my parents took my little brother and me to see when we were very little -- two and three by the look of the picture on my office wall. For years I thought I had just dreamed that trip until I saw it again years later.<br /><br />Oh, and <a href="http://screengirls.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> diablo</a> -- I've added you to my blog roll. Love the photos!Mythical Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-37048751209612495512011-05-08T06:17:04.454-04:002011-05-08T06:17:04.454-04:00Yeah... This is a great blog. You're on my lis...Yeah... This is a great blog. You're on my list now!diablohttp://screengirls.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-5284232755740065632011-05-08T03:25:39.204-04:002011-05-08T03:25:39.204-04:00One of the few silent films I've successfully ...One of the few silent films I've successfully used to gather converts! Friends and family often have a hard enough time dealing with me forcing pre-code talkies on them, I usually don't go any earlier on them, but The General is one that always keeps their eyes glued to the screen!<br /><br />I might have missed National Train Day, but I think I might have to dust off my copy, it's been awhile.Cliff Alipertihttp://www.things-and-other-stuff.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-14769547689011498392011-05-08T00:35:22.033-04:002011-05-08T00:35:22.033-04:00Jacqueline: Train Day only makes sense if you want...Jacqueline: Train Day only makes sense if you want a life that makes sense ... oh wait, I think I'm with you!<br /><br />Jeanie: You're home to Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield as well, where if you follow the guidebooks and look closely you can still see the Confederate trenches frantically dug with knives and spoons & mess kits! I spent a weekend walking them and it still gives me the shivers ...<br /><br />Oh and let's see, who made this all possible: Ah! Mister Monkey, I should have known. Thanks for the great movie that I never would have watched if it weren't for you.Who Am Us Anyway?https://www.blogger.com/profile/08260586634760800759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-62795387991326363612011-05-07T10:38:23.287-04:002011-05-07T10:38:23.287-04:00I love this fabulous timeless film. I work in Ken...I love this fabulous timeless film. I work in Kennesaw, Georgia, just a couple of miles from the museum where the train that took place in the actual event is housed. Sounds like a good day to re-watch this film!Jeanie Callaghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03310216520195634207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-85296447082038283662011-05-07T08:13:45.370-04:002011-05-07T08:13:45.370-04:00Hooray for National Train Day. I'm glad it...Hooray for National Train Day. I'm glad it's catching on.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.com