Century of Viewing, Month Two, Thoughts and Lists

Century of Viewing Challenge

I was able to watch 86 things. (Things = movies, shorts, cartoons, television seasons, etc.) Twenty-three I rated five stars. I'll probably share (below) what makes a five star a five star. (Besides pure whim on my part). Ten were four and a half stars. Fifteen were four stars. Again blurry lines between five, four and a half, and four. Forty-four of the eighty-six star or co-star Buster Keaton.

What Makes a 5 Star a 5 Star (Besides Pure Whim)

• A movie absolutely MUST, MUST, MUST, MUST have again-again appeal OR evoke such a strong emotional reaction/connection that even though I might not ever choose to watch it again it will never be forgotten. (Typically, it's all about the power of the again-again).
• I must have a strong emotional connection/reaction. It might be laughter. It might be tears. It might be grinning from ear to ear with a smile that will not come off my face. It may be the fact that I can't stop gushing about it. It has to MOVE me.
• It must be memorable. This could be visual scenes OR it could be dialogue OR it could be characters OR it could be soundtrack OR it could be costumes OR it could be setting. Usually a blend of the above.
  
• A strong combination of favorites: FAVORITE ACTOR + great story + memorable scenes for example. Or Favorite actress. I have a lot of Ginger Rogers movies planned--and I've watched quite a few already. Same with Doris Day. Or it might be a musical with amazing songs and favorite actors/actresses.
• It doesn't have to have a happy ending, but, it certainly doesn't hurt. 
• If it is an adaption it either needs to a) be faithful to the book or b) be so good independent from the book that it is able to stand alone and doesn't suffer as a comparison.
  
• I need to *stay* in the movie while I am watching the movie. I don't want to be thrown out by over-thinking.
• The difference between a five and a four and a half stars might be just a few "flaws." (For example, My Cousin Vinny was *so, so, so, so* close to five but the language in it--for me--downgraded it to a four and half star.) Since You Went Away was an absolutely wonderful movie, but, I didn't like how the main character was having an emotional affair (at the very least) with her husband's best friend.
  

Observations

• Obviously still head over heels in love with Buster Keaton. Though I think you could say I've fallen harder and deeper.
• I have finished TWO decades (though that won't stop me from watching more). I've finished the 1920s (no surprise thanks to Buster) and the 1930s.
• I am one year away from finishing the 1940s. (1945)
• I am one year away from finishing the 1950s. (1958)
• Rounding up, Buster Keaton makes up 43% of my overall viewing for the year--not counting rewatches.
• 55% of my movies are "talking" movies, 45% of my total movies (January and February) are silent movies!!! Which is so wild considering that before January 2025, I'd never seen a single silent film.
  

5 star movies in no particular order 

• Benny and Joon (1993)
• Vivacious Lady (1938)
• My Wife's Relations (1922) (Buster Keaton, watched three times)
• Groundhog Day (1993)
• The General (1926) (Buster Keaton, watched an additional three times in February)
• Battling Butler (1926) (Buster Keaton, watched twice)
• Go West (1925) (Buster Keaton)
• The Goat (1921) (Buster Keaton)
• The Cameraman (1928) (Buster Keaton)
• Inception (2010)
• Help (1965)
• Spite Marriage (1929) (Buster Keaton)
• The Passionate Plumber (1932) (Buster Keaton)
• The Navigator (1924) (Buster Keaton)
• The Electric House (1922) (Buster Keaton)
• Top Hat (1935)
• The Glenn Miller Story (1954)
• By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953)
• The Silent Partner (1955) (Buster Keaton)
• IT (1927)
• The Saphead (1920) (Buster Keaton)
• Parlor, Bedroom, and Bath (1931) (Buster Keaton)
• Sun Valley Serenade (1941)

4 1/2 star and 4 star movies

• The Scarecrow (1920) (Buster Keaton)
• The Cook (1918) (Buster Keaton)
• Panic In Year Zero (1962)
• Backstage (1919) (Buster Keaton)
• Free and Easy (1930) (Buster Keaton)
• The Boat (1921) (Buster Keaton)
• Since You Went Away (1944)
• Grand Slam Opera (1936) (Buster Keaton)
• My Cousin Vinny (1992)
• Dirty Dancing (1987)
• Coney Island (1917) (Buster Keaton)
• Three Ages (1923) (Buster Keaton)
• Bellboy (1918) (Buster Keaton)
• Le Roi des Champs-Elysees (1934) (Buster Keaton)
• Neighbors (1920) (Buster Keaton)
• The Villain Still Pursued Her (1940) (Buster Keaton)
• High Sign (1921) (Buster Keaton)
• The Circus (1928)
• Convict 13 (1920) (Buster Keaton)
• Desk Set (1957)
• Out West (1918) (Buster Keaton)
• An Affair to Remember (1957)
• What! No Beer? (1933) (Buster Keaton)
• Voyage of the Damned (1976)
• My Baby (1912)

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #9

This week I read NINE books. 

18. Scattergood. H.M. Bouwman. 2025. 320 pages. [Source: Library] [mg fiction, mg historical, 3 stars]

Read this if...

• you enjoy historical fiction set during WWII
• you enjoy books with a sadder/heavier perspective
• you don't mind main characters that are [mostly] unlikable]

19. My Wonderful World of Slapstick. Buster Keaton with Charles Samuels. 1960. 340 pages. [Source: Library] [adult biography, adult autobiography; film-making, show business, comedy]

Read this if...

• you enjoy autobiographies
• you have an interest in the history of film--particularly silent movies OR slapstick comedy
• you love Buster Keaton

20. The House on the Canal. Thomas Harding. Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. 2025. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, picture book for older readers, 4 stars, nonfiction]

Read this if...

• you enjoy historical picture books
• you enjoy picture books for older readers

18. Towed by Toad. Jashar Awan. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book, early reader]

Read this if...

• you enjoy reading picture books or early readers about helpers
• you enjoy toads?

19. Gnome and Rat: Time to Party. Lauren Stohler. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, early chapter book, early graphic novel]

Read this if...

• you enjoy early graphic novel chapter books
• you enjoy series books
• you enjoy friendship stories

20. Lone Wolf Goes to School. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. 2024. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy]   

Read this if...

• you enjoy humorous books
• you enjoy early chapter books
• you enjoy animal fantasy

17. A Collection of Blessings. Helen Steiner Rice. 2009. 160 pages. [Source: Bought] [nonfiction, poetry, christian poetry, 3 stars]

Read this if...

• you enjoy rhyming poetry on spiritual themes
• you enjoy greeting card vibes

18. Knowledge of the Holy. A.W. Tozer. 1961/1978. HarperCollins. 128 pages. [Source: Book I Bought][5 stars]

Read this if...

• you want to learn more about God, his attributes
• you want to read a book that is both theological and devotional
• you want a great introduction to A.W. Tozer
• you want a diagnosis for what's plaguing the modern church

19. Good News at Rock Bottom. Ray Ortlund. 2025. [March] 160 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars]

Read this if...

• you are at rock bottom, have been at rock bottom, or are spiraling down
• you love somewhere who is (see the above)
• you want a refresher of the gospel

Century of Viewing Round-up for Week 9

1910s

• 1910 Frankenstein. This silent short is the first adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Is it really? Maybe. Maybe not. Perhaps in name only?! It certainly takes liberties--as many adaptations do. The creation of the monster--though NOT at all like the book, not even a little bit--holds up as CREEPY, SUPER CREEPY even all these years later. Though it is not at all faithful to the book, it was interesting to watch. The choices made were artistic and intentional. I do like that the movie does seem to capture the fact that the monster is "evil" because it was created by an evil mind. 
• 1911 Cinderella. This is a silent short adaptation of Cinderella. It is bare-bones basic. I can't say that it was wow or super creative. Though they did 'magic' away the walls of the house so the carriage--transformed in the kitchen--could get out of the house to go to the ball. The dress was unspectacular.
  
• 1912 My Baby. This is a Mary Pickford silent film--a short. (This is *my* first time watching Mary Pickford). In this one a younger daughter promises to never, ever, ever marry and stay with her father forever; however, after she falls in love she marries and leaves her home. He disowns them, but all may be forgiven--eventually--after he catches a glimpse of their baby. I enjoyed this one (though I didn't love the background music for the YT video I watched). It was certainly romantic drama. Definitely much more of a story with this one than Frankenstein and Cinderella. Though you could argue that it was mere scenario and the others actually are adapted from books. I still say there was more character development with My Baby than in the previous which relied on the audience being familiar with classic stories.
  
• 1917 The Butcher Boy is Buster Keaton's first appearance on film. He was under contract as a solo act on stage, but took a drastic pay cut to 'take a chance' on moving pictures. He is, of course, teamed up with Roscoe Arbuckle [and Al St. John]. This was a test, a trial, if you will, to see if Keaton had what it took. His scenes are absolutely wonderful. (Poor Buster never did get his hat back!) This one also stars Luke the Dog.

1920s

• 1920 The Saphead was Buster Keaton's first feature film. The movie is based on the plays "Henrietta" and the "New Henrietta." It was a DELIGHT. Good-boy Bertie plays up his 'bad' side so that he can supposedly win the heart of a modern girl--Agnes. Though there's not a thing 'modern' about Agnes who loves Bertie just as he is. His father, however, is disgusted by his son's behavior and disowns him with just a "small" check to see him go. (You know, just one million dollars). He buys a seat at the New York Stock Exchange...As I said this one is a DELIGHT but I'm not going to detail everything. This one was sweet, comical, romantic.
• 1922 Frozen North is a Buster Keaton film--a parody of a silent western actor. In the movie, he plays quite a villain--definitely not sweet, charming, romantic. The movie has quite a few humorous scenes...and as you might expect a twist ending...that for me at least redeemed it. 
• 1926 The General is Buster Keaton's masterpiece. I should have included it most weeks in February. I watch it at least once a week--usually on Friday. I love this one more than words can say. 
  
• 1927 IT is a silent film starring Clara Bow. Bow plays an IT girl. Quoting from a title card that is quoting from an article/book. "It is that peculiar quality which some persons possess, which attracts others of the opposite sex. The possessor of 'It' must be absolutely un-selfconcious, and must have that magnetic 'sex appeal' which is irresistible." This silent feature reminded me SO SO SO SO much of Bachelor Mother or Bundle of Joy except that the baby is the child of a friend who is staying with her. But department store girl falls hard for the son of the department store owner....and misunderstandings get in the way. It was a delight.

1930s

• 1931 Parlor, Bedroom, and Bath is a Buster Keaton romantic comedy. It is still slapstick in many ways. If Shakespeare was into slapstick comedy, he might have written Taming of the Shrew like this movie. Younger sister can't marry until the older one does...the older one is PICKY about who she is attracted to. It must be a playboy, a man she can never be certain of, a man with a certain appeal and experience. Buster Keaton plays Reggie a man who really has none of those attributes, but the sister's boyfriend is determined to give him quite the makeover and teach him--through his female friends--exactly how to win the heart of the girl. I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one. Buster Keaton--for better or worse--had to record this movie THREE TIMES--once in English, once in German [with phonetic spelling] and once in French [again with phonetic spelling]. The German and French have DIFFERENT actors and actresses. I've not been able to track down the French edition, but I've seen my favorite bits in the German, and it is HILARIOUS.
• 1933 What! No Beer? is a Buster Keaton comedy about the repeal of Prohibition. He is teamed up--for better or worse--with Jimmy Durante. I've been giving it some thought--a lot of thought--and this comedy duo doesn't quite fit together well though both are funny individually. To be honest, Keaton was still delightful in many, many ways. He can't help it--he has charisma. Durante is a little hard to take in this one. But I am glad I watched this one.

1940s

• 1941 Sun Valley Serenade is a romantic musical starring John Payne and Sonja Henie (the figure skater). It also features GLENN MILLER'S ORCHESTRA. It was an absolute delight of a film. John Payne is dreamy. The story is fun. The music is awesome. The skating show was a nice treat.
• 1943 This is the Army is a musical I endured. It is a 'revue' type musical with dozens of song-and-dance numbers all with a flag-waving patriotic theme. There is a loose story--weaving together two Irving Berlin shows--one from World War I and one from World War II. I could have used more story and less cross-dressing? I don't really think that was the only factor--far from it. It's just that there's only so many different "big" stage numbers of singing and dancing that you can stand before you start wanting more. Even with movies like Singin' in the Rain, I can get bored some of the time.

1950s

• 1953 By the Light of the Silvery Moon is a Doris Day movie. This is a sequel to be exact. I will go back and watch On Moonlight Bay. Both movies are set circa 1918/1919 perhaps 1920. Doris Day is almost always, always a delight. This is a great musical.
• 1954 The Glenn Miller Story is a biographical drama about Glenn Miller. Miller is played by James Stewart. His wife is played by June Allyson. It was a GREAT movie. I loved it so much.
• 1955 The Silent Partner (1955) is an episode of Screen Directors Playhouse starring Buster Keaton and Joe E. Brown. It was WONDERFUL. I absolutely loved it. He plays a character, Kelsey Dutton, a forgotten silent movie star who has fallen on hard times. He's watching his former buddy get recognized by the Academy Awards....little does he know just what the evening will bring. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one.

1970s

• 1976 Voyage of the Damned is a film about the Holocaust and/or WWII. It is based on the true story of the ship that set sail to Cuba only to be denied port. All the Jewish refugees were returned to Germany. It is long and depressing. It features dozens and dozens of characters--little time is spent with any of them.

2020s

• 2024 Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam is a Netflix documentary about Lou Pearlman, the music mogul behind Backstreet Boys, etc. I'd seen the YT original documentary a few years ago, and I thought I would revisit the subject. Plenty of interviews. Some music.
• 2025 American Murder: Gabby Petito is a Netflix documentary about the case. I had followed this case closely from several different YouTubers....and so I don't know that I learned much. But it was a refresher course for sure. I do think it suffers from trying to be three episodes.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

February Reflections

In February, I read thirty books. Of the thirty books, ten were five-star books and twelve were four-star books. Again, it was a great month for discovering books I loved.

Books Reviewed at Becky's Book Reviews

11. Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All. Chanel Miller. 2024. 160 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, Newbery Honor, mg realistic, family, friendship, light mystery]

12. Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains. Anita Yasuda. Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction picture book, 3 stars]

13. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance. Jennifer Armstrong. 1998. Random House. 144 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, nonfiction, history, biography, adventure, South Pole, survival]

14. First State of Being. Erin Entrada Kelly. 2024. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, Newbery Medal, MG Speculative Fiction, MG Fiction, Time Travel]

15. Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker's Life. James Curtis. 2022. 810 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, adult nonfiction, biography]

16. The Great Good Thing (Sylvie Cycle #1) Roderick Townley. 2001? reprinted 2025. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, mg fiction, books about books]

17. Becoming Real: The True Story of the Velveteen Rabbit. Molly Golden. Illustrated by Paola Escobar. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, nonfiction picture book, book about books, author biographies]

18. Scattergood. H.M. Bouwman. 2025. 320 pages. [Source: Library] [mg fiction, mg historical, 3 stars]

19. My Wonderful World of Slapstick. Buster Keaton with Charles Samuels. 1960. 340 pages. [Source: Library] [adult biography, adult autobiography; film-making, show business, comedy]

20. The House on the Canal. Thomas Harding. Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. 2025. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, picture book for older readers, 4 stars, nonfiction]

Books Reviewed at Young Readers

11. Noodles on a Bicycle. Kyo Maclear. Illustrated by Gracey Zhang. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, Caldecott Honor, historical picture book, picture book]

12. Gnome and Rat First Snow (Gnome and Rat #3) Lauren Stohler. 2024. [November] 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book]

13. Pasta! These Names are Fun To Say. Felice Arena. Illustrated by Beatrice Cerocchi. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars]

14. Ratnip: Lost and Found in the City. Cam Higgins. Illustrated by Allison Steinfeld. 2025. [February] 128 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book]

15. Trouble Finds Plum. Matt Phelan. 2023. 128 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book, j fiction]

16. Toto. Hyewon Yum. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book]

17. Big Changes for Plum. Matt Phelan. 2025. [January] 128 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book, j fiction]

18. Towed by Toad. Jashar Awan. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book, early reader]

19. Gnome and Rat: Time to Party. Lauren Stohler. 2024. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, early chapter book, early graphic novel]

20. Lone Wolf Goes to School. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. 2024. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy] 

Books Reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

10. Found: God's Will. John F. MacArthur Jr. 1972/1998. 64 pages. [Source: Bought] [Five stars, christian nonfiction, Christian living]

11. C.S. Lewis at War: The Dramatic Story Behind Mere Christianity. Focus on the Family Radio Theatre. Paul McCusker screenplay. 2013. Tyndale. 2 Discs. [Source: Inter-Library] [4 stars, audio book]

12. The Indigo Heiress. Laura Frantz. 2025. 416 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, christian fiction, historical romance, clean historical romance]

13. Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians. Thomas R. Schreiner. 2024. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy] [christian nonfiction, theology, bible commentary, 4 stars]

14. Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World. Melissa Dougherty. 2025. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, christian nonfiction]

15. Truth Unchanged Unchanging. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1951/1993. Crossway. 128 pages. [Source: Bought] [4 stars, apologetics, lectures, christian nonfiction, 1947]

16. Psalms for My Day: A Child's Praise Devotional. Carine Mackenzie and Alec Motyer, Illustrated by Catherine Noel Pope. 2019. 96 pages. [Source: Bought] [4 stars, devotional, children's book]

17. A Collection of Blessings. Helen Steiner Rice. 2009. 160 pages. [Source: Bought] [nonfiction, poetry, christian poetry, 3 stars]

18. Knowledge of the Holy. A.W. Tozer. 1961/1978. HarperCollins. 128 pages. [Source: Book I Bought][5 stars]

19. Good News at Rock Bottom. Ray Ortlund. 2025. [March] 160 pages. [Source: Review copy] [5 stars]

Bibles Reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

none in February, but more should be finished in March!

Totals for 2025

2025 Totals
Books read in 2025	60
Pages read in 2025	11802
January 2025
Books read in January	30
Pages read in January	7020
February 2025
Books read in February	30
Pages read in February	4782

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

20. The House on the Canal

    

20. The House on the Canal. Thomas Harding. Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. 2025. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, picture book for older readers, 4 stars, nonfiction]

First sentence: In the middle of Amsterdam, next to a canal, stands a tall, narrow house. It was built almost four hundred years ago and has served as a home, a warehouse, a stable, and a hiding place. 

Premise/plot: The House on the Canal is a picture book for older readers. It is nonfiction picture book that is more abstract in nature which makes it perhaps more fitting for older readers. It is the history of a house--a specific place throughout the centuries. The book roughly spans five and a half centuries. [Though don't trust my math!] It is the place--which in the opening spreads is not even a physical building yet--that is front and center. It all leads up to the time when the house was a hiding place for Anne Frank and her family. The house was rich in history before it became a warehouse and hiding place. This book sheds light on the some of the more permanent things in life.

My thoughts: This book gives the "Here" treatment to the Anne Frank house. Though I wouldn't be surprised if the book was in the works long before the feature film, Here, was released. The text has an almost poetic--definitely artistic--vibe. The illustrations are quite artistic as well. Definitely detailed enough to give study for those interested in art or history.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

19. My Wonderful World of Slapstick

    

19. My Wonderful World of Slapstick. Buster Keaton with Charles Samuels. 1960. 340 pages. [Source: Library] [adult biography, adult autobiography; film-making, show business, comedy]

First sentence: Down through the years my face has been called a sour puss, a dead pan, a frozen face, The Great Stone Face, and, believe it or not, "a tragic mask." On the other hand, that kindly critic, the late James Agee, described my face as ranking "almost with Lincoln's as an early American archetype, it was haunting, handsome, almost beautiful." I can't imagine what the great rail-splitter's reaction would have been to this, though I sure was pleased. People may talk it up or talk it down, but my face has been a valuable trade-mark for me during my sixty years in show business. 

Premise/plot: My Wonderful World Of Slapstick is Buster Keaton's autobiography written just six years before his death in 1966. (So it does not cover *all* of his career, but it does cover many years of his career.) Does the book cover anything and everything? Yes and no. There are chapters in his life that remain very much PRIVATE and undisclosed. Keaton is not one to name names--for better or worse.

For example, I am almost completely certain that he never mentions his first or second wives by name. His first wife is called "his future wife" or "my wife"  or "Mrs. Buster Keaton" and the like, but never her actual name or even nickname. She does appear by name in the book, but only because she appears in his filmography because she was his costar in Our Hospitality. There was a good reason he said zip, zilch about his second marriage. (I believe she was fond of lawsuits for ANYTHING and everything, no matter how tangential to the truth). It was his beloved [third] wife, Eleanor, who gets stories.

There are periods of his life where he shares in great detail about his life--both private stories and show business-y stuff. There are periods of his life where the details are harder to come by. Which is fair, in my opinion. He does talk industry both for STAGE and FILM and television. He has stories about people in front of the camera and behind it. He does not go into great detail about his own films. He does not take himself too seriously. It's like he'd rather shift into telling asides and anecdotes than to deep dive into his own brilliance at what he does/what he did. He comes across as very grounded. He says that Charlie Chaplin's problem was that he believed everything that was being said about him, written about him, and began to take himself too seriously and as [an elite] intellectual.

"I never realized I was doing anything but trying to make people laugh when I threw my custard pies and took pratfalls. Like anyone else I enjoy being called a genius. But I cannot take it seriously. Neither does Harold Lloyd, as far as I know. The only one of us who listened and accepted the role of genius intellectual critics thrust upon him was Chaplin. Sometimes I suspect that much of the trouble he's been in started the first time he read that he was a 'sublime satirist' and a first-rate artist. He believed every word of it and tried to live accordingly."

I would have wished for a little more detail about the making of his own films, but perhaps he wanted his films to speak for themselves. Though at the time this was written, his films would not have been readily available for easy viewing. There were revivals of his films--his films being shown again in theatres, etc.,--especially in Europe. He was MUCH BELOVED in Europe, and I believe the book said Keaton was absolutely HUGE, HUGE, HUGE, MEGA-SUPER-POPULAR in Russia. [Which would make sense of the fact that so many Keaton channels on YOUTUBE are Russian.] 

It was his private stories that fascinated me. He writes in one chapter of several different practical jokes that he was in on. If I remember the story correctly, some big studio executive [or similar execs] were coming into town to meet Roscoe Arbuckle, the two came up with a great practical joke: dress Buster Keaton up as his BUTLER and let the comedy follow. He'd be the clumsiest, klutziest butler ever to see if any would recognize him--the theory being that BUTLERS ARE IGNORED--before the big finale. Arbuckle would finally "lose his temper" and let the butler have it to the astonishment of his guests. Meanwhile, Buster would slip out and return as himself--a rising star in his own right--and "meet" the guests. This was just one of many practical jokes he played. Though it was near impossible to pull the same joke twice because word would spread around town. 

It was his outlook on life--though he has repeatedly been called NOT introspective or reflective--that impressed me most. He writes,

"I think I have had the happiest and luckiest of lives. Maybe this is because I never expected as much as I got. What I expected was hard knocks. I always expected to have to work hard. Maybe harder than other people because of my lack of education. And when the knocks came I felt it was no surprise. I had always known life was like that, full of uppercuts for the deserving and undeserving alike. But it would be ridiculous of me to complain. I find it impossible to feel sorry for myself. I count the years of defeat and grief and disappointment, and their percentage is so minute that it continually surprises and delights me."

My thoughts: I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this autobiography. There was just something so grounded and matter of fact about his narrative style. He was amusing and fascinating. I imagine this book covers such a small, small, small fraction of stories he could have told.

Quotes:

• At any rate it was on purpose that I started looking miserable, humiliated, hounded, and haunted, bedeviled, bewildered, and at my wit's end. Some other comedians can get away with laughing at their own gags. Not me. The public just will not stand for it. And that is all right with me. All of my life I have been the happiest when folks watching me said to each other, "Look at the poor dope, wilya?" Because of the way I looked on the stage and screen the public naturally assumed that I felt hopeless and unloved in my personal life. Nothing could be farther from the fact. As long back as I can remember I have considered myself a fabulously lucky man. From the beginning I was surrounded by interesting people who loved fun and knew how to create it. I've had few dull moments and not too many sad and defeated ones. In saying this I am by no means overlooking the rough and rocky years I've lived through. But I was not brought up thinking life would be easy. I always expected to work hard for my money and to get nothing I did not earn. And the bad years, it seems to me, were so few that only a dyed-in-the-wool grouch who enjoys feeling sorry for himself would complain of them.
• The cast for our two-reelers was always small. There were usually but three principals--the villain, myself, and the girl, and she was never important. She was there so the villain and I would have something to fight about. The leading lady had to be fairly good-looking, and it helped some if she had a little acting ability. As far as I was concerned I didn't insist that she have a sense of humor. There was always the danger that such a girl would laugh at a gag in the middle of the scene, which meant ruining it and having to remake it.
• Even when making my two-reelers I worked on the theory that the story was always of first importance. But one thing we never did when making our silent comedies was put the story down on paper. On the other hand I never would agree to start shooting until I had in my mind a satisfactory ending for a story. The beginning was easy, the middle took care of itself, and I knew I could depend on my writers and myself to come up with any gags we might need as we went along.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

18. Scattergood

Scattergood. H.M. Bouwman. 2025. 320 pages. [Source: Library] [mg fiction, mg historical, 3 stars]

First sentence: A barn is almost the best place in the world to think, if you live on a farm and have nowhere else to go. 

Premise/plot: Scattergood is historical fiction set in 1941 in Iowa. Peggy, our heroine, is coming of age at a rough time. Her cousin/best friend, Delia, has been diagnosed with leukemia and given less than six months to live. The ever-logical-and-scientific Peggy is determined to cure her friend of her disease and prove the doctors wrong. Meanwhile, Peggy is absolutely SMITTEN with a Jewish refugee, Gunther, and has started hanging around with the refugees at Scattergood--something to do with Quakers taking in refugees. Likewise, Joe, a long-time family friend is absolutely smitten with Peggy. Gunther, in due course, is smitten with another girl. In all three cases of smitten-ness, it is one-sided. The ages of all vary, but Peggy is definitely the youngest just a few months shy of thirteen when the novel opens. (The guys, I believe are around sixteen.) As the months go by, Peggy dwells on anything and everything that makes life unfair and unbearable.

My thoughts: I wanted to enjoy this one. It is set at a time period I usually almost always enjoy reading. It is a coming of age story, historical fiction--both good indicators. I just found nearly all the characters a little off-putting. Though perhaps they were meant to be?

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #8

This week I read six books. 

16. The Great Good Thing (Sylvie Cycle #1) Roderick Townley. 2001? reprinted 2025. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, mg fiction, books about books]

Read this if...

• you love reading books about books
• you don't mind books with some bittersweet sadness
• you don't mind books that think way outside the box

17. Becoming Real: The True Story of the Velveteen Rabbit. Molly Golden. Illustrated by Paola Escobar. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, nonfiction picture book, book about books, author biographies]

Read this if...

• you love The Velveteen Rabbit
• you love picture book biographies
• you love books about books

 16. Toto. Hyewon Yum. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book]

Read this if...

• you enjoy books about first experiences (starting school)
• you enjoy books about making new friends
• you are seeking out books about kids (people) with birthmarks

17. Big Changes for Plum. Matt Phelan. 2025. [January] 128 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book, j fiction]

Read this if...

• you have read the previous books in the series
• you hate change too
• you enjoy reading new early chapter books

15. Truth Unchanged Unchanging. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. 1951/1993. Crossway. 128 pages. [Source: Bought] [4 stars, apologetics, lectures, christian nonfiction, 1947]

Read this if...

• you enjoy christian apologetics
• you enjoy christian nonfiction
• you love clear gospel presentations

16. Psalms for My Day: A Child's Praise Devotional. Carine Mackenzie and Alec Motyer, Illustrated by Catherine Noel Pope. 2019. 96 pages. [Source: Bought] [4 stars, devotional, children's book]

Read this if...

• you are looking for christian children's books
• you are looking for a family devotional
• you are looking for something besides the traditional bible story book

Century of Viewing Round-UP for Week 8
1910s

• 1914 The Rounders is a Charlie Chaplin and Roscoe Arbuckle short. It is a good thing that it was not my first experience with Charlie Chaplin or Roscoe Arbuckle. I did not care for this one even a little bit.
• 1918 Out West is a Roscoe Arbuckle and Buster Keaton short. In this one, Buster Keaton is a saloon owner and Roscoe Arbuckle is a drifter...who becomes his bartender. When Wild Bill Hiccup comes to town, these two will have to make a stand....but does Wild Bill have a weakness??? 97% of this one was absolutely hysterically DELIGHTFUL. 3% was just distasteful. If you see it, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
• 1919 The Hayseed is a Roscoe Arbuckle and Buster Keaton short. In this one, Buster Keaton plays a mail man. He witnesses a crime...for which his friend is later accused, I believe...this one has an onion skit at a dance that is quite funny.

1920s

• 1920 The Garage is a Roscoe Arbuckle and Buster Keaton short. They are working at a garage as mechanics AND doubling as volunteer firemen. When several guys become interested in the same girl, mischief happens. The highlight of this one, for me, was seeing them as firemen--in a way only slapstick can accomplish.
• 1922 The Electric House is a Buster Keaton short that I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED. It begins with graduation. Three graduates get their diplomas mixed up. Buster Keaton (whose character got a degree in botany) gets hired as an electric engineer. He accepts the job because of the cute girl. Will all go well???? Or will the jealous actual electrician ruin everything???? Filming was slowed down because that staircase broke Buster Keaton's ankle.
  
• 1923 The Ballonatic is a Buster Keaton short, one of his later [silent] ones. This one has a LOT of sports--hunting, fishing, etc. (There's a scene with a bear or "bear.") It's hard to tell if HE'S chasing the girl or the girl is chasing him. Definitely not my favorite of Keaton's shorts...however it does have its enjoyable moments.
• 1924 The Navigator is a Buster Keaton feature. I first watched this one in January. I loved it even more the second time around. I wouldn't be surprised if almost all his work gets moved to 5 stars by the end of the year. Two exes get stranded together aboard a ship, The Navigator.
• 1925 The Iron Mule is an Al St. John short featuring Buster Keaton in disguise. (His mother discovered at the movie theatre that he was in this short!) Al St. John was often featured alongside Roscoe Arbuckle, so many shorts feature these three. But Al St. John was teamed up with Roscoe first. (I believe both were Keystone???) This is a western and features the train from Buster Keaton's Our Hospitality.
• 1928 Plane Crazy (Mickey & Minnie) Mickey was quite the cad. Not sure that cad is exactly the right word??? Rascal might better suit. But Mickey is TROUBLE. So many red flags, run Minnie run.
• 1929 Spite Marriage is a Buster Keaton silent feature. He plays a man ABSOLUTELY smitten with a stage actress. She's absolutely smitten with her co-star. Her co-star is fickle--at the best of times--and is dangling several girls along. In a low moment, she proposes marriage to Buster's character. Will this marriage of convenience become the real deal? I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this one.
• 1929 The Barn Dance (Mickey & Minnie) Mickey and Pete the Cat compete for the attentions of Minnie. Mickey doesn't dance well. Pete does. But Mickey is persistent.
• 1929 Gallopin' Gaucho (Mickey & Minnie) Mickey and Pete the Cat are still rivals for Minnie. I think Pete the Cat kidnaps Minnie and Mickey rescues on a drunk ostrich????? Something weird like that. These early cartoons are just weird. Though I will say all three this week feature Buster-Keaton-like gags.

1930s

• 1932 The Passionate Plumber is a 'talkie' Buster Keaton romantic comedy set in Paris. He plays a plumber who invents on the side. His love interest is a rich, spoiled woman who is madly in love with a "married man." He's fixing the plumbing in her bathroom--think master suite--when this "married" lover storms in and thinks the worst, slapping him [Elmer] with a glove and declaring his intent to duel. I believe this is yet another movie where he plays a character named Elmer. I personally enjoyed despite critics then and now. I actually found myself laughing quite a lot.
• 1935 Top Hat is a delightful film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Mistaken identities is essentially the plot. She thinks that Fred Astaire's character is the husband of a close friend. (He's not.) This one features some great song and dance sequences....and the dialogue is great. 
• 1936 Grand Slam Opera is a Buster Keaton TALKIE short. In it, he plays ELMER. He's trying to make it "big" and is trying to win a radio contest--talent contest. First he has to find a talent...one that will work for the radio. He ends up trying to JUGGLE with commentary. Will he win the money???? I love this one for the SINGING and DANCING. There's a DELIGHTFUL, ADORABLE dance sequence. He's out in the hall listening to a music performance in the contest, as the band changes styles, so does his dancing. It shows his incredibly diverse talents.
• 1939 The Roaring Twenties. I don't exactly want my time back. However James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart play DESPICABLE people and I don't necessarily like spending time with characters I don't like. Still, it was a movie that I intended to watch this year if I could. I am immersing myself in the 1920s this year apparently, and I thought it would be fitting. It was recently added to Tubi (I believe for the first time???) and so I definitely had it as a priority. Anyway, this one covers from the end of world war I through the end of prohibition in the early 30s.

1950s

• 1957 An Affair To Remember is a Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr movie. I don't hate it. I don't. I don't even dislike it. There are a few scenes I do genuinely love. I just don't think this is the best two-lovers-meet-on-a-cruise story. If the music was better--say with Frank Sinatra's Strangers in the Night--then I might enjoy it more?

1960s

• 1965 HELP is one of my favorite films. (Is it really???? It is when I remember it.) I first discovered it in November 1995 in the midst of the Beatles Anthology documentary debuting on ABC. I believe it was PBS that aired Hard Day's Night and Help the same week. Both the album and the movie are SO INCREDIBLY good. I stand by that for the album for always. The movie is 100% slapstick. Which since I am in my Buster Keaton era of loving slapstick, this one was just what I wanted/needed.

1980s

• 1987 Dirty Dancing has the BEST SOUNDTRACK EVER. Okay, maybe not best soundtrack SCORE which I have a lot of opinions about. But the music carries this movie, in my opinion. I do adore it. I think I fell in love with the edited-for-television movie of my youth....but the music still saves it. Now is this one I'd binge-watch every single day for weeks, months, years???? Probably not. But still fun to revisit. And I don't *have* to watch it to enjoy the soundtrack.

1990s

• 1992 My Cousin Vinny is an R-rated court comedy. I am SO conflicted. On the one hand, I absolutely love the characters and the story. It is funny and enjoyable. On the other hand, I don't love all the curse words, in particular the f-word which is prolific.
• 1993 Babylon 5: The Gathering. This one is the pilot episode/movie. The characters aren't quite right, the make-up and costumes aren't quite there. Yet it is the place where the show gets it start. And I do adore Babylon 5.
• 1998 Babylon 5: In the Beginning. This is a prequel filmed AFTER the series. It is so dark and melancholy yet it has its moments. I definitely am glad I rewatched this one. Yes, I am planning on rewatching the series.

2020s

• 2025 Miss Scarlet season 5, I believe??? Whatever season just finished airing. I really really really LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Duke. For the first four seasons, this one was MISS SCARLET AND THE DUKE. The Duke left last season--moving to New York--because he couldn't take waiting for Miss Scarlet any longer. Inspector Drake has replaced him....and the show goes on. Each season is just six episodes. Which seems short even for British television. I liked it well enough.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

17. Becoming Real

   

 

17. Becoming Real: The True Story of the Velveteen Rabbit. Molly Golden. Illustrated by Paola Escobar. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, nonfiction picture book, book about books, author biographies]

First sentence: Long ago in London, there was a little girl who didn't go to school. Her name was Margery.
 

Becoming Real is a picture book biography of Margery Williams the author of THE VELVETEEN RABBIT. That in and of itself may convince some to pick it up. (It certainly was enough for me. I love and adore The Velveteen Rabbit. It is SO quotable, so meaning-of-life, so BEAUTIFUL, so memorable.)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how quotes from the VELVETEEN RABBIT are spread throughout the text. I love how that book is the lens through which we see her entire life play out. (If that makes sense?) It is the story of how she came to write this classic. It is building up to that time. I also love how her story--and HISTORY--give context.

I love the narrative. I thought it was well done. I LOVE the illustrations as well. Both text and art complement each other perfectly. As a whole, it was a compelling read that I am already gushing about to anyone who will listen.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

16. The Great Good Thing

 

The Great Good Thing (Sylvie Cycle #1) Roderick Townley. 2001? reprinted 2025. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, mg fiction, books about books]

First sentence: Sylvie had an amazing life, but she didn't get to live it very often. What good were potions and disguises if no one came along to scare you or save you or kiss you behind the waterfall? Week after week nothing changed. Years went by. The sparkles on Sylvie's dress began to fade, and a fine dust coated the leaves, turning the green woods gray. Once in a while, it looked as though something might happen.

The Great Good Thing is a book about books, or perhaps the self-awareness of fictional characters OF their human readers. This is a book about lasting impressions and dreams. It's an odd little book that doesn't necessarily fit many molds. It does celebrates stories and storytelling and LEGACIES of stories.

Sylvie, the main character, is a fictional book character that--for better or worse, mostly for better--has a special relationship with a family of readers--a grandmother/granddaughter. She is able to "crossover" from the fictional world--the literal pages of her book--into the readers' dream world. When her book suffers a horrible fate--a fire--she is able to help the other characters transition into her readers' dream world where they exist--barely, minimally--for decades. 

The book is more abstract and philosophical than young readers may appreciate? In other words, this might 'touch' adults more than children. Though if it's read aloud by an adult who absolutely loves the story, I wouldn't be surprised if young readers catch the enthusiasm and love it as well. I just don't personally see it as a book that kids will discover on their own and absolutely fall in love with. It would need some hand-selling or "blessing."

The book has a heaviness to it which I think might vary from reader to reader to reader. It has a lot of things--directly and indirectly--to say about death.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week In Review #7

I read six books this week.

14. First State of Being. Erin Entrada Kelly. 2024. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, Newbery Medal, MG Speculative Fiction, MG Fiction, Time Travel]

Read this book if....

• You like keeping up with the Newbery Medals and Hnor books
• You enjoy so called "historical" fiction set in 1999
• You enjoy time travel elements
• You enjoy coming of age stories

15. Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker's Life. James Curtis. 2022. 810 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, adult nonfiction, biography]

Read this book if....

• You are curious to learn more about Buster Keaton--his life and films
• You enjoy biographies
• You enjoy the history of cinema and have a fondness for silent films especially

14. Ratnip: Lost and Found in the City. Cam Higgins. Illustrated by Allison Steinfeld. 2025. [February] 128 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book]

Read this book if....

• You enjoy animal fantasy written for children
• You enjoy stories with rats
• You like to keep up with new series for young readers

15. Trouble Finds Plum. Matt Phelan. 2023. 128 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book, j fiction]

Read this book if....

• You enjoy series books
• You enjoy illustrated chapter books for young readers
• You like humorous animal fantasy

13. Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians. Thomas R. Schreiner. 2024. 176 pages. [Source: Review copy] [christian nonfiction, theology, bible commentary, 4 stars]

Read this book if....

• You are looking for a weighty scholarly treatment of Paul's letter to the Galatians

14. Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World. Melissa Dougherty. 2025. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, christian nonfiction]

Read this book if....

• You are a Christian
• You want to learn how to discern right from almost right
• You want to make sense of so-called "Christian" culture and why it is at odds with the Bible

Century of Viewing Round-Up for Week 7
1910s

• 1918 Moonshine is META gold. The intertitles of this Arbuckle/Keaton short are GREAT. It has many great sequences. Definitely plays like a LIVE-ACTION cartoon complete with the gag of how many people can fit in a small car. (And the curling the barrel of a gun to shoot around the corner gag).
• 1918 Good Night, Nurse is another Arbuckle/Keaton short. It is SILLY for sure. I think my favorite bit was Keaton as woman with umbrella kicking Arbuckle! (Granted he was trying to steal her umbrella in a horrible rain storm.) Plenty of smiling Keaton bits in this one. The story was strange.

1920s

• 1920 Convict 13 is silly, surreal, and overall fun. Not a favorite, but, certainly this Buster Keaton short is enjoyable. (Loved the spanking fish scene.)
• 1920 The Scarecrow was even more enjoyable the second time around. I absolutely loved it. I cannot emphasize too much how FABULOUS the ending is. Love seeing Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely together.
  
• 1921 The Boat. I think of this one as the sequel to One Week. Was it meant to be? Maybe. Maybe not. In this one, Buster is building a BOAT for his family--which now includes TWO pork-pie hat wearing boys. Will it be smooth sailing? What do you think?!?! Is his boat Damfino aptly named? YES. I loved this one so much. Another Buster Keaton, Sybil Seely short.
  
• 1921 High Sign. Buster Keaton is irresistible. This one is purely silly but man he's adorable. Buster Keaton plays both HITMAN and BODYGUARD. And it all starts with the wanted ads...
• 1921 Hard Luck. This one was not my favorite or best Keaton short. However, it does have its bright moments--just a lot of dark ones too. The premise is that his life is so bad that he wants to end it. He rides horses and goes high diving....the ending is surreal.
  
• 1921 The Goat. Buster is THE GOAT for sure. Though why they titled the film this I'm not sure. This wonderful short--featuring some epic chases and epic trains--was a DELIGHT. And of course it all involves mistaken identities....and odd circumstances. This one is a MUST for sure.
• 1925. Go West. Just when I think I can't love a Buster Keaton film any more than I do....along comes Go West. Words cannot express how much I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this movie. Buster Keaton plays FRIENDLESS; he's homeless, jobless, and riding trains. He heads west (of course) and finds himself barreling down a hill unto a new opportunity--a ranch hand. He befriends--albeit slightly reluctantly--a cow named BROWN EYES. The two become inseparable. But what will he do when it's time for the cattle to be sold??? I want to watch this movie a hundred million times. This is the movie I "compelled" my Dad to watch. (I did have to bribe him.)
• 1926 Battling Butler. How much did I love this Buster Keaton film? So much I watched it twice. How much was I expecting to like it? Not as much. You see it's supposedly a "boxing" film. Who wants to watch a film about boxers boxing???? Certainly not me! Or so I thought. Sigh. Buster Keaton plays Alfred Butler, a rich, spoiled man thoroughly dependent on his valet. "Arrange it" is one of his refrains. His father insists on a trip to the mountains to make a man of him. On the trip--hunting and fishing--he ends up falling madly in love with "mountain girl" (that's how she's credited on screen). He proposes (not even needing the help from a love advice column). She accepts. Her family is reluctant until they learn he's Alfred Battling Butler. (He's not). The two share a name--but nothing else. He pretends to be a boxer little knowing he'd be called upon to go the distance and actually face a real boxer (though not in the ring). Will she still love him when the truth comes out??? Buster Keaton needed a double in this one...though not for the boxing....don't be silly. He needed a HAND DOUBLE for showing off the engagement ring in the box since he was missing the tip of his right index finger. (He does not use a hand double in all his films.)
• 1927 Children of Divorce is a silent film starring CLARA BOW and GARY COOPER. Who knew that Gary Cooper acted in silent movies?!?!?! This one was a melodramatic depressing downer. So I ended up wanting most of my time back. Yet I can't say that I regretted seeing BABY Gary Cooper.
• 1928 The Cameraman. Is this one Buster Keaton's most "romantic" silent film????? Maybe. Maybe not. But swoon and sigh. It was FABULOUS. Buster Keaton plays a photographer who falls madly in love with a young girl who works for a news agency? He trades in his camera for an ancient film camera, and, away he goes to try to win her heart by getting the BIG story. This one has it all--even a monkey. The BATHHOUSE scenes are not to be missed. This one is charming through and through. I definitely want to watch again-again.
• 1928 The Circus. This is my first Charlie Chaplin movie. It was DIFFERENT than Keaton for sure. Keaton almost always, always, always, always gets the girls--at least in his silent films/shorts. I suppose The Tramp will always be The Tramp and he'll never settle down and have a wife and kids? This one had some great scenes. I am not hooked on Chaplin yet, however. Still I am glad I started with this one.

1940s

• 1944 Since You Went Away is an emotional war drama starring Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, and Shirley Temple. A wife and daughters struggle with life on the homefront during World War II. Many changes come their way and they open their home to a boarder--a retired officer. This one was LONG nearly three hours. It was written by Selznick and the music score was by the same one who did Gone With the Wind. This one definitely feels classically epic.

1950s

• 1957 Desk Set is a Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn romantic comedy set at an office. Need I say more? Maybe. Maybe not. If you love these two, I probably won't need to sell you on it. This one does have a slightly slower plot, perhaps. But I thought it was worth it in the end. It definitely has a LONG Christmas scene if you're looking for almost Christmas-y movies to watch in the Fall.

2010s

• 2010 Inception is one of my all-time favorite movies. The more I see it, the more I love it. Of course, the more you see it, the more you understand it. Minimum of two views to "get" it. The soundtrack is all kinds of wonderful.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

15. Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker's Life

  

15. Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker's Life. James Curtis. 2022. 810 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, adult nonfiction, biography]

First sentence: The man in the pork pie hat is unhappy. His head down, arms akimbo, he paces grimly as a documentary crew captures him on film.

Premise/plot: What you see is what you get: James Curtis' delivers a biography of the legendary 'larger than life' film star Buster Keaton. In some ways, there was not a hat Buster Keaton didn't wear. He did all the jobs--quite literally--in the film business. And, of course, he's quite famous FOR his hats. It IS a full biography--mainly. Starting with his parents upbringing and subsequent marriage through his death and legacy. There's also a strong focus on his entertaining--his work on stage, on film, behind the cameras, in front of the cameras, etc. Some films get their own chapters, I believe. Though many aspects of his life--his work--is covered, the book is never gossip-y or frivolous. It is a serious book about a legendary, one-of-a-kind comic. It is PACKED with details about his silent films especially. Less so, perhaps, with his later work. But I think overall, this one will DELIVER exactly what readers want most, to learn more about the man whose creative genius gave the world unforgettable, incredible FILMS (and shorts). So if the book perhaps focuses a little more on his 'golden era' if you will, I'll allow it.

My thoughts: Yes, the book is LONG, LONG, LONG. However, it was a joyous journey. I began my deep dive into anything-everything Buster Keaton in January. It was a slow start, perhaps, two to three films a week. Nice, steady pace. By the end of January, I was gloriously in all the way and watching almost exclusively Buster Keaton related movies. In some cases, rewatching again, again, again.

As I read through the book, I'd peek to the next chapter to see which film(s) I'd need to see. I think SEEING the films (features, shorts, whatever) BEFORE reading the chapter(s) made a difference. It made me appreciate the book more, encouraged me to go back and watch the film again, and in general made me a nuisance to anyone within reach. DID YOU KNOW THAT....

I found it a fascinating read. I do wish, however, it had MORE PICTURES and LARGER PICTURES. I wouldn't mind it being a thousand pages long (instead of 800) if it meant MORE pictures of Buster.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

14. First State of Being

   

14. First State of Being. Erin Entrada Kelly. 2024. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, Newbery Medal, MG Speculative Fiction, MG Fiction, Time Travel]

First sentence: Peaches, Michael Rosario thought. That's what we need. His mother loved peaches. If the world came to a standstill at midnight on January 1, 2000, at least she would have two things she cherished: peaches and Michael.

Premise/plot: The year is 1999. Michael Rosario, the narrator, struggles with worry and anxiety. His biggest anxiety at the moment is the end of the world, aka Y2K. He is secretly hoarding food and supplies. Since he doesn't have money to pay--he's a kid, after all, just twelve--he's picked up the habit of shoplifting. His second biggest anxiety is that his mom will lose another job--just like before. Right now they are living paycheck to paycheck, he fears what would happen....if. There are so many 'ifs' of the future. He does have friends in the apartment complex, and, I believe he's friends with some--at least one--of the adults as well. But it is his new friend, Ridge, a friend who claims to be from the FUTURE and even has a book in hand that details historical events, who may just change his perspective and help him come into 'the first state of being' (aka living IN the moment, IN now).

 My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I am so glad I finally read it. It had been on my want to read list for months. It recently won the Newbery Medal. I thought the premise of a time traveler was interesting. It is more usual, more typical, to read books from the point of view of the time traveler, that is not the case here. Michael is tempted--incredibly tempted--by trying to find out anything, everything, something--about the future. Here is his opportunity to KNOW what the future holds...but would knowing change things for the better or the worse? And what if the theories of how damaging knowing could be if it leads to changes.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #6

I read nine books this week.

11. Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All. Chanel Miller. 2024. 160 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, Newbery Honor, mg realistic, family, friendship, light mystery]

Read this book if...

• You enjoy coming of age novels with strong friendship themes
• You enjoy books set in New York City
• You enjoy books about race/racism
• You enjoy books with LIGHT mysteries (missing socks)
• You enjoy reading Newbery Honors
  

12. Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains. Anita Yasuda. Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction picture book, 3 stars]

Read this book if...

• You enjoy nonfiction picture book biographies
• You have an interest in outdoors adventures and sports (mountain climbing)
• You have an interest in conservation activists
• You enjoy reading Caldecott Honors

13. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and the Endurance. Jennifer Armstrong. 1998. Random House. 144 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, nonfiction, history, biography, adventure, South Pole, survival]

Read this book if...  

• You enjoy nonfiction books for middle grade (on up)
• You enjoy adventure/survival stories
• You enjoy history and biography
• You have an interest in Antarctic explorers/exploration
• You love a compelling nonfiction narrative

11. Noodles on a Bicycle. Kyo Maclear. Illustrated by Gracey Zhang. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, Caldecott Honor, historical picture book, picture book]

Read this book if...

• You enjoy historical picture books
• You enjoy books set in other countries [Japan]
• You enjoy learning about other cultures
• You enjoy reading Caldecott honors
• You enjoy fantastic storytelling

12. Gnome and Rat First Snow (Gnome and Rat #3) Lauren Stohler. 2024. [November] 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book]

Read this book if... 

• You enjoyed the first (or second) Gnome and Rat book
• You enjoy early chapter books
• You enjoy early graphic novels
• You enjoy humorous graphic novels

13. Pasta! These Names are Fun To Say. Felice Arena. Illustrated by Beatrice Cerocchi. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars]

Read this book if...  

• You like silly books that beg to be read aloud
• You enjoy noodles!

10. Found: God's Will. John F. MacArthur Jr. 1972/1998. 64 pages. [Source: Bought] [Five stars, christian nonfiction, Christian living]

Read this book if...

• You are looking for GOOD, solid advice on how to better live the Christian life
• You are looking for quick reads with substance

11. C.S. Lewis at War: The Dramatic Story Behind Mere Christianity. Focus on the Family Radio Theatre. Paul McCusker screenplay. 2013. Tyndale. 2 Discs. [Source: Inter-Library] [4 stars, audio book]

Read this book if...

• You have an interest in C.S. Lewis
• You have an interest in British RADIO during World War II
• You enjoy audio plays

12. The Indigo Heiress. Laura Frantz. 2025. 416 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, christian fiction, historical romance, clean historical romance]

Read this book if... 

• You have a weakness for Scottish men [and their accents]
• You enjoy historical romance [clean historical romance]
• You enjoy christian historical romance
• You enjoy MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE stories
• You don't mind a little melodrama

 Century of Viewing Round-Up for Week #6

1910s

• 1917 Coney Island is a short starring Roscoe Arbuckle and Buster Keaton. If I hadn't already been long gone, way past head over heels, truly madly deeply in love with Buster Keaton BEFORE watching this one, it would send me there. This one has a lot of mischief--as Roscoe is trying to escape his wife...and everyone (including Roscoe) is after Buster's girl. (The girl does seem like she just wants a ticket to the amusement park.) BUSTER AS LIFEGUARD.
• 1917 His Wedding Night is another short starring Roscoe Arbuckle and Buster Keaton. This one has Buster Keaton in the role of a delivery boy. Sounds like a small part, except, for Buster there are no small parts. The bride-to-be asks HIM to model the wedding gown, and, well the VILLAIN kidnaps Buster by mistake. EVERYONE is fooled even the groom himself. It's silly. Buster laughs and smiles. It's nice enough. The story isn't the best. But BUSTER.
• 1917 Oh, Doctor! This is another Roscoe Arbuckle and Buster Keaton short. In this one, the comedy duo play father and son. Buster is dressed up as a kid. Roscoe plays a HORRIBLE doctor who gets duped by other horrible people. Probably my least favorite short I've seen so far this year. 
• 1917 The Rough House is another Arbuckle/Keaton short. Buster Keaton plays a handful of different roles in this one. It is not my favorite or best. I'm not sure if Oh Doctor or The Rough House is my least favorite. Still I don't regret watching it because it does have Buster!
• 1918 The Cook. Yes, I watched The Cook in January. Yes, The Cook factors into my zealous obsession of sorts with Buster Keaton. This one is in some ways broken into three acts: Buster as waiter/dancer; Buster and friends eating spaghetti; and the friends all hanging out on the beach. Two out of three are PERFECTLY PERFECT. Not sure why the beach scene stuff is part of it??? But still, one not to be missed.
• 1918 The Bellboy is another Arbuckle/Keaton short. In this one the two play bell boys at a less than luxurious resort. The two share an interest in the manicurist. This one is funny...zany even. Plenty of stunts and antics. I think this was the short where I started to better appreciate Arbuckle.
• 1919 Backstage is another Arbuckle/Keaton short. In this one the back-stage help is forced to become THE ON STAGE talent on very quick notice. There's a villain [boo, hiss] but thank goodness for Buster's quick thinking! This one was HILARIOUS. And I absolutely loved so many things about it.

1920s

• 1920 The Scarecrow stars Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely. In this one, Buster Keaton plays a farmhand in a "like triangle" with the farmer's daughter, I believe. Two farm hands (living together) are in pursuit of the same girl. This one also BORROWS Luke the Dog from Roscoe Arbuckle. The ENDING OF THIS ONE WAS SO WONDERFULLY SILLY.
• 1920 Neighbors is a Buster Keaton short. He is truly, madly, deeply in love with the girl next door. The parents of BOTH object--violently, as in get the cops involved violent. Will these two ever get married?
• 1922 My Wife's Relations. This is a Buster Keaton short. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. Buster Keaton is FALSELY "accused" if you will of breaking a window. A woman literally drags him before a judge to tattle on him. The judge--who only speaks POLISH--thinks they are a couple wanting to get married. YES, the pair finds themselves married to one another...for better or worse. She takes him home to her large Irish family--multiple generations. This one never stops. Every single scene had me at hello. It was HILARIOUS. I loved every single second. I watched it THREE  times in two days.
  
• 1922 Cops. I am just going to have to divide this one into two parts. As far as STUNTS and action sequences go, it is worth the hype. Chances are if you've seen a montage of Buster Keaton's stunts, you've seen all the best highlights of Cops. Scene after scene after scene you see Buster performing incredible stunts. BUT. I absolutely hated the story so much. Well, that's not fair. THE ENDING WAS THE WORST. Like, a chase scene is *only* good as far as I'm concerned if he's not caught. It might not be a popular opinion, but I did NOT care for Cops at all. Well, I can definitely appreciate the stunts and some sequences. But that ending is HORRIBLE.
• 1923 Three Ages is a feature-length Buster Keaton film. Three "timeless" love stories are woven together. The ages are the stone age, the Roman empire, and the modern world (1920s). Buster is in love in all three, the family opposes him as suitor, and another rival is preferred. This one has a HILARIOUS scene where Buster is reacting to crab on his plate. Is it the best Buster Keaton feature? NO. Of course not. But I enjoyed elements of it. 
• 1926 The General. Is The General *still* my favorite Buster Keaton feature film. Probably. Definitely. Perhaps. I may just have to watch it 89 more times to be certain. (You think I'm joking, but I'm not. I've already watched it three times--twice in January, once in February.) The plot: Johnnie Gray, a train engineer, wants to enlist in the Confederate army after Ft. Sumter is fired upon. However, he's rejected as a soldier to his own dismay and that of his girl (one of his two loves) and the girls' family. Dejected, he continues on with his regular work UNTIL one day when spies kidnap the two things he loves most--his train, THE GENERAL, and his girl, Annabelle.
  

1930s

• 1930 Free and Easy. Buster Keaton feature film. OH MY HEART. I am so conflicted. On the one hand, the ending is SO sad. I could almost taste tears sad. So much was conveyed without saying a single word. [Buster is great at that.] Back to the plot itself,  it starts in KANSAS. Buster plays an agent accompanying a young, beautiful woman who hopes to become a Hollywood star. Elvira is joined by her protective, domineering mother. As the story unfolds, it seems EVERYONE including Elmer (Buster) and her mother have star potential and gets work in movies....except for her. She falls in love with a [boo, hiss] guy who is a WOLF I tell you. This one has some great scenes in it. It's a movie about making movies. It stars Buster Keaton. It is a MUSICAL with song and dance numbers. How could I not love this one. Yet, it caused me to yell at the tv. I fully expected Elvira to come to her senses and see how much Elmer loved her--in every way that mattered. The song YOU DON'T KNOW ME comes to mind. I definitely want to rewatch this one a couple of times at least before returning to the library. (Let's be honest, unless a hold comes in, it will be living here for a while.)
• 1934 Le Roi des Champs-Elysees. Missing is Buster's wonderful voice: it's dubbed into French. This is a FRENCH movie never released in the United States. I was able to watch with English subtitles. Buster plays two roles in this one. A LOVABLE BUT CLUMSY fellow who can't seem to get anything right (though he lands a role in a play) and a GANGSTER JUST RELEASED FROM PRISON. This one perhaps suffers from being unevenly paced. But the last half of the movie was all kinds of fabulous. Once the plot unfolds and the action begins, I was definitely enjoying it!!!
• 1938 Vivacious Lady stars Jimmy Stewart and Ginger Rogers. He marries her [a New York City show girl [performer]] on a whim and takes her home to meet his family...or does he. Will he ever tell his uptight family about his WIFE? This one features a fight-scene between his wife and his supposed girlfriend. The writing is great. It's definitely an enjoyable romantic comedy.

1940s

• 1940 His Ex Marks the Spot. Buster Keaton plays a man [ELMER, I believe] in a difficult position. His current finances are being DRAINED by his having to pay alimony to his ex-wife. His current wife is MAD, MAD, SUPER MAD at their current situation. She's suffering because of the alimony payments. The ex has it "better" than the current wife. To stop the payments, he decided to ask his ex-wife and her boyfriend to move in with them. This of course leads to many opportunities for comedy.
• 1940 The Villain Still Pursues Her is a parody/comedy. It parodies old-fashioned morality tales that warn of the dangers of alcohol. Edward Middleton falls prey to a mustached villain--the trickery occurs on his wedding day, no less. As his life crumbles, a faithful family friend WILLIAM DALTON (BUSTER KEATON) stands by and watches over the family. I can't say that I loved this one. But Buster Keaton's role was fabulous and the joy of the picture. It was silly and over the top. But fun nevertheless--like the pie throwing scene.
  

1950s

• 1950 The Jackpot. James Stewart's character learns the hard way that free is not always "FREE" when he wins a radio quiz show and his entire world collapses as a result. Also features Barbara Hale before her time on Perry Mason.

1960s

• 1962 Panic in Year Zero is a realistic take on WHAT a nuclear attack might look like--if it happened in the early 60s. It stars Frankie Avalon in a SERIOUS role. I didn't know he did anything other than beach romances. It is heavy subject handled well. I definitely thought it was a great drama. It has a great line that goes something like this: "I went looking for the worst in others and I found it in myself instead..." It's been about six or seven days since I watched it but relatively close to that.

1990s

• 1993 Benny and Joon is a movie I absolutely LOVE AND ADORE. And now I am seeing Buster Keaton everywhere. Literally. The movie starts off with Sam (Johnny Depp's character) reading a book about Buster Keaton. Later a cardboard cutout of Buster appears at a VIDEO STORE scene. And then, of course, there's SAM'S HAT and his hat tricks. Yes, Sam's character isn't solely inspired by Buster Keaton. There are other influences as well, but still. But I've loved this one since 1993/1994--long, long, long before I had any interest in Buster Keaton. It's a FANTASTIC love story with a GREAT THEME SONG. (500 Miles).
• 1993 Groundhog Day is a Bill Murray film that I could watch again-again-again. I do love this time-loop movie that goes from shallow to meaning of life. Highly recommended.

2020s

• 2024 Virgin River, season 6. BOY DID I STRUGGLE WITH THIS SEASON. Well, actually the last two seasons???? I'm at the point where I don't remember why I ever started this show but I've invested so much time in the two main characters getting together that I hate to dump the series. This season was all about the WEDDING.
• 2024 Here. Here is a premise-driven movie starring Tom Hanks (and others like Paul Bettany and Robin Wright). The main character is a PLOT of land, literally. All the action occurs at the exact same spot through the ages. I would say about 80 percent of the plot follows three generations of one family. A young couple moves into the house [shortly] after World War II. They raise their family there. Their son, Richard, raises his family there. This movie--intentional or not--brings to mind the book of ECCLESIASTES. There is *nothing* new under the sun. And this movie captures thousands of snapshots of humanity, of family, of life at its best and worst. It hits REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hard in places. And it doesn't shy away from the darker emotions. And relationships are raw. These aren't people behaving at their absolute best. These are private moments.

 

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