Celebrating a Century of Buster Keaton’s ‘The General’
A mural in Cottage Grove, Ore., celebrates Buster Keaton’s famed 1926 film, The General. This year, fans gathered in the town to mark the film’s centennial with various events such as a conference, look-alike contest, themed costume party, and tours of the film’s locations.
Keaton, the silent film star known for his comedic genius, ventured west after the Civil War to create a film based on a real train chase from wartime. He found his perfect filming location in Cottage Grove, which became central to his critically-acclaimed film. Over the weekend, about 80 fans came to celebrate Keaton’s legacy. Attendees donned porkpie and straw hats, discussed iconic scenes, and learned to dance the Charleston while the Eugene-based band The Fat Dandelions played 1920s jazz.
Conference-goers, including Joy Blatchford and her son Aden, enjoyed the 1920s dance themed party alongside Katrina Nguyen and her husband Khoi. These attendees, who call themselves “Damfinos” – a humorous homage to Keaton’s frequent phrase “damfino” – eagerly awaited the centennial event. Event organizer Lloyd Williams, former president of the Cottage Grove Historical Society, noted the widespread interest in Cottage Grove for the celebration.
Khoi Nguyen impressed the crowds with a playful impersonation in the Buster Keaton look-alike contest. Among the competitors was Chicago’s Chloe Fadem, proudly wearing a Keatonesque two-piece suit, complete with a unique rainbow bowtie and porkpie hat. Fadem prepped for the contest alongside Aden Blatchford from Canada, who dressed as his silent film idol for past Halloweens.
Ultimately, Liz Bartholomew of Portland won the look-alike contest, dressed as “Sherlock Jr.” with a fake moustache and magnifying glass. Though not the biggest Keaton fan, Bartholomew cherishes the festival as a bonding experience with her mother, a true aficionado.
Fans also interacted with Keaton’s relatives, such as granddaughter Melissa Talmadge Cox and nephew Harry Keaton Moore Jr., who shared personal stories and connections with Keaton’s cinematic legacy.
The event included a bus tour of significant filming locations for The General, highlighting the site of the notorious train crash scene. Cottage Grove’s timber town was chosen for its compelling short line railroad fitting the film’s storyline. On July 23, 1926, over 4,000 spectators witnessed the costly and expansive train crash in the film.
Fans like Chloe Fadem and Aden Blatchford marveled at the famous scene, studying photographs to compare the current landscape to the century-old filming site. Discussions continued regarding the film’s impact and Keaton’s uniquely immersive filmmaking style. Fadem plans to integrate Keaton’s innovative techniques into her future projects as a film and television student.
Looking forward, the International Buster Keaton Society Convention will be held in Muskegon, Mich., in October, commemorating Keaton’s lasting influence just days before his 131st birthday.