The Genius Of Buster Keaton

We explore the subtle genius of a man often remembered for pratfalls and sight gags. Buster Keaton was a silent film star in the 1920s, but he was far more than an actor and stuntman. He conceived and directed his films, cited by some of America's leading filmmakers as inspirations. We speak with Slate film critic Dana Stevens, whose new book examines Keaton's work and influence, and chronicles his colorful life. Her book is Camera Man: Buster Keaton, the Dawn of Cinema, and the Invention of the 20th Century.