Question 1

Why was The Cameraman almost lost forever?

Accepted Answer

The only known copy was destroyed in a 1965 MGM vault fire. Modern copies were reconstructed from a Paris print found in 1968 and a master positive discovered in 1991, resulting in varying image quality.

Question 2

How did MGM use The Cameraman as a teaching tool?

Accepted Answer

For many years, MGM used it as an example of a perfect comedy, having all its directors and producers watch it to learn. Only two scenes were improvised by Buster Keaton.

Question 3

What technical innovation did The Cameraman introduce to comedy?

Accepted Answer

It was the first comedy to use an elevator crane, employed in the scene where Buster Keaton runs up and down stairs waiting for a phone call. This technique had previously been used in the 1924 German film The Last Laugh.

Question 4

How did Edward Brophy launch his screen career?

Accepted Answer

His film debut occurred when Buster Keaton pulled him from the crew to ad-lib the "Dressing Room Scene" in a single take. This launched Brophy on a 30-plus year career as a screen comedian.

Question 5

What festival recognized The Cameraman decades after its release?

Accepted Answer

The film was featured at the Berlin International Film Festival in 1995.

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The Cameraman

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