Topic: Keaton's THE SAPHEAD Blu/DVD, 7/12/12

[falsealarms]

Buster Keaton's THE SAPHEAD (1920) is coming to DVD/Blu Ray on 7/12.

Pre-order: http://www.kino.com/video/item.php?film_id=1308

Extras include:

Complete alternate version of THE SAPHEAD, comprised entirely of variant takes and camera angles.

"A Pair of Sapheads," an eight-minute featurette comparing the two versions of the film.

Buster Keaton: Life of the Party, a rare audio recording from 1962, in which Keaton recalls the memories and songs of his vaudeville youth, amid an intimate gathering of friends.

Gallery of personal photographs from Keaton's childhood in vaudeville.

Music arranged and directed by Robert Israel, in 2.0 Stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Music composed and performed by Ben Model, in 2.0 Stereo

[locoboymakesgood]

I've never seen the original but any time an "alternate version" can be concocted out of something as old as a silent Keaton, I become intrigued.

Is this one of his better silent efforts?

[metaldams]

Is this one of his better silent efforts?

THE SAPHEAD is an enjoyable film in its own right, but it's the weakest of all the "Keaton" silent features.  I put "Keaton" in quotes because while he is the star, he had nothing to do with the writing or direction of THE SAPHEAD.  It's more of a drawing room comedy starring Buster Keaton than a true Keaton film.