The General, a silent slapstick Western comedy, stars Buster Keaton, who also co-directed with Clyde Bruckman.
It was inspired by the Great Locomotive Chase, a true event during the American Civil War. The story was adapted from the 1889 memoir “The Great Locomotive Chase by William Pittenger.”
At its initial release, The General was not well received by critics and audiences, resulting in mediocre box office returns.
Critical Status:
Because of its then-huge budget ($750,000 by Metro chief Joseph Schenck) and failure, Keaton lost his independence as filmmaker and was forced into restrictive deal with MGM.
In 1954, the film entered the public domain in the US because its claimant did not renew copyright registration in the 28th year after publication.
The General has since been reevaluated, and now ranks among the greatest American silents ever made.
In 1989, it was selected by the Library of Congress to be included for preservation in the US National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
Narrative Premise:
When Western & Atlantic Railroad train engineer Johnnie Gray arrives in Marietta, Georgia, he visits Annabelle Lee, one of the two loves of his life, the other being his locomotive, The General.
When the American Civil War breaks out, Annabelle’s brother and father enlist in the Confederate Army. To please Annabelle, Johnnie hurries to be first in line to enlist, but he is rejected because he is more valuable as an engineer, although he is not told that reason.
Leaving, he runs into Annabelle’s father and brother, who ask him to join them in line, but he walks away, leaving the impression that he does not want to enlist. As a result, Annabelle rejects Johnnie–until he is in uniform.
When Annabelle receives word that her father is wounded, she travels on the W&ARR, with The General pulling the train. At a stop, the passengers and crew detrain for a quick meal.
Union Army spies led by Captain Anderson use the opportunity to steal the train. Anderson’s goal is to burn all the railroad bridges, preventing reinforcement and resupply of the Confederate army. Annabelle becomes an inadvertent prisoner of the raiders.
Johnnie chases, first on foot, then by handcar and boneshaker bicycle, before reaching the station at Kingston. He alerts the army detachment there, which boards another train to give chase, with Johnnie manning the locomotive the Texas. However, the flatcars are not hooked up to the engine and the troops are left behind. When Johnnie realizes he is alone, it is too late to turn back.
The Union agents try various methods to shake their pursuer, like disconnecting their trailing car and dropping railroad ties on the tracks. As the chase continues, the Confederate Army of Tennessee is ordered to retreat and the Northern army advances in its wake. Johnnie finally notices he is now behind Union lines, and the hijackers see that Johnnie is by himself. Johnnie stops the Texas and runs into the forest to hide just as a downpour develops.
Johnnie steals some food, and hides underneath a table when Union officers enter. He overhears their plan for surprise attack and that the Rock River Bridge is essential for their supply trains.
Upon seeing Annabelle taken to a room under guard, Johnnie knocks out both guards and free Annabelle.
The couple escape into the rainy woods, finding themselves near a railway station where Union soldiers and equipment are being organized for the attack. Johnnie devises a plan to warn the South. After sneaking Annabelle onto a boxcar, Johnnie steals his engine back.
Two Union trains set out after the pair, while the Union attack is launched. In a reversal of the first chase, Johnnie has to fend off his pursuers. Finally, he starts a fire behind The General in the center of the Rock River Bridge, to cut off the Union’s supply line.
Johnnie warns the Confederate commander of the impending attack. Meanwhile, Annabelle is reunited with her convalescing father.
The pursuing Texas drives onto the burning bridge, which collapses. When Union soldiers try to ford the river, Confederate fire drives them back.
Johnnie returns to his locomotive to find the Union officer, who was knocked out earlier regaining consciousness. He takes the officer prisoner and is spotted by the Confederate general. As reward for bravery, he is commissioned a lieutenant and given the captured officer’s sword.
In the exhilarating ending, Johnnie uses his left hand to embrace Annabelle while using his right one to salute the passing soldiers.
The General world premiered on December 31, 1926, in two theaters in Tokyo.
It was scheduled to have US premiere at the prestigious Capitol Theater in NYC on January 22, 1927, but was delayed due to the enormous Greta Garbo hit, Flesh and the Devil. It finally premiered on February 5, with the engine bell from the real General train on display in the lobby.
It played at the Capitol for only one week, making $50,992, thus deemed box-office failure. With a final budget of $750,000, it made $474,264 in the US.
Cast
Buster Keaton as Johnnie Gray
Marion Mack as Annabelle Lee
Glen Cavender as Union Captain Anderson
Jim Farley as General Thatcher
Frederick Vroom as a Confederate general
Charles Smith as Annabelle’s father
Frank Barnes as Annabelle’s brother
Joe Keaton as a Union general
Mike Donlin as a Union general
Tom Nawn as a Union general
Duration: 75 minutes and 52 seconds (estimated)
