Buster Keaton's The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

Greetings from the

"Hollywood of Oregon"

CYAN

MAGENTA

YELLOW BLACK

Aug. 10, 2016

A special publication commemorating 90 years since the filming of Buster Keaton's 1926 masterpiece, Brought to you by the

Cottage Grove Sentinel

" l a r e n e G e h "T

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The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

A 90th Anniversary Celebration Schedule of Events, August 13, 2016 7:30pm Silent Film Organists Blaine Gale, Hunter Hale and Richard Hale.

Train Show Fri, Sat, Sun

August 12-14

8:30pm “A Snapshot In Time” (the Morelock films) which document life in Cottage Grove in the late 1930’s presented by the Cottage Grove Historical Society 9:00 pm. “The General” live score composed and performed by Oregon Composer, Mark Orton and friends

Cottage Grove Armory conducted by the Willamette Cascades Model Railroad Club.. The hours will be Friday and Saturday, August 12th and 13th 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday, August 14th 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. This will be fun for all ages, even Thomas the Train will be there.

Thank you to the following organizations: The Hollywood Theatre, Oregon Film (The Oregon Governor's Office for Film & TV), Fred W. Fields Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation, Pacific Power, NBC/Universal, Travel Oregon, The City of Cottage Grove, Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, Cottage Grove Historical Society, CEDCO, The Village Green Resort, DoubleTree Portland, DPA Microphones, Willamette Cascade Model Railroad Club

The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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'Flesh and blood movie star' and company transfixed, transformed a community

By Jon Stinnett The Cottage Grove Sentinel

F

or a while there, it must have seemed like anything was possible.

In the late spring of 1926, Cottage Grove residents had more to look forward to than the long, sunny days and cool, pleasant nights of another summer to come. News had traveled their way that one of the biggest stars of the era would film his most ambitious work yet in their little town.

“To have a sure-enough flesh and blood movie star like Buster Keaton as a resident for several months, together with a company of 65, is a novelty that residents are enjoying immensely and is also a novelty that is

attracting many from outside points to ‘The Hollywood of Oregon,’” the Sentinel exclaimed that June.

Can it be any wonder, then, that Cottage Grove and its visitors got so swept up in it all? And how exciting must it have been to have that flesh-and-blood star downtown many days, walking from their humble hotel to work just a few blocks away or to a pickup baseball game at nearby Kelly Field, working his magic for all to see, requesting only that onlookers not “cast a shadow on the picture”?

The filming of “The General” in Cottage Grove that summer fostered stories of close encounters with movie stars, of dreams realized and a town uplifted far beyond its borders,

stories that lingered for generations to come. This summer, it is the pleasure of the Cottage Grove Sentinel — which dutifully recorded many of those stories in its extensive coverage of the making of the film these many decades ago — to join in the celebration of one of the community’s proudest achievements, the making of “Cottage Grove’s own movie,” as the newspaper later called it. We sincerely hope that our special 90th anniversary publication can help to foster a love of the film and its history in a new generation and call to mind the curiosity and enthusiasm of that bygone era. For if Hollywood can come to your small town, even if for just one summer, then truly anything is possible.

Cover photo: Buster Keaton poses with "The General" for a photo that also serves as the background element that the star gives to Annabelle in the film. Photo reprinted courtesy John Bengtson. Several photos are also reprinted here by permission of the Cottage Grove Museum.

Thanks and acknowledgements

T

he making of this publication would not have been possible without the efforts and assistance of many.

Much of its text comes from 1926 editions of the Cottage Grove Sentinel, news coverage compiled for “The Day Buster Smiled,” a chronicle published by the Cottage Grove Historical Society. Many thanks are due the Historical Society for its work in this regard, and for granting permission to publish panels from its own exhibit, which will appear at the Cottage Grove Library during the month of August. Thanks also to Lloyd Williams and Holli Turpin for their contributions, and to the Cottage Grove Museum, for granting permission to publish many of the photos seen here from its collection, some of which are included in the Museum’s own photo exhibit, scheduled Aug. 12-28.

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Saturday, August 13th Music at 7:30 PM Morelock Films at 8:45 PM The General at 9:15 PM free admission Presented by the CG Historical Society, CG Chamber of Commerce and the City of Cottage Grove

The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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From the May 27, 1926 Sentinel:

Cottage Grove becomes Hollywood of Oregon for 10 week period!

18 train carloads of equipment - Keaton company unloaded

C

ity is bustling with interest for the filming of the big picture. W.G. Gilmour, business manager, and 20 assistants arrived yesterday with the equipment for the filming of “The General”.

Actual work of laying out townsites and choosing locations will take place when Buster Keaton arrives on Sat. Entire upper story of the Service Garage building is rented for wardrobe and make-up room — and players will leave from here each day made up for the parts they are to take.

Two men are make up artists and will be employed continuously, and it is intimated that when not engaged they will be willing to give lessons to the women of the city. Some of which would like to become adept in the transformation of the human face.

Some street scenes will be taken on the old Pacific Highway, Dorena and adjacent logging roads.

Besides the business and production managers, there will be a chief of properties and location manager, wardrobe chief, construction chief, chief draftsman, chief electrician and head painter.

Eighteen cars of equipment at a cost of $6000 have arrived.

Some railroad cars, which arrived on flat cars, have now been assembled and will be used in railway scenes of the picture. Over 1200 costumes have arrived.

Many residents here have expressed determination to witness the burning of the Row River bridge when the engine will crash through it. In one way, they will be disappointed.

While the picture will show the bridge enveloped in flames, and while the engine will crash through, the bridge will not be actually burned.

It is going to be hard to get anything done in Cottage Grove while Keaton and company are here. The actors will have a large audience every day.

The arrival of leading lady Marion Mack, who reportedly enjoyed driving around the countryside unaccompanied in a new automobile, must have caused quite a stir in this once-sleepy timber town.

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The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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'Calm in the eye of a storm' Author reflects on Keaton's genius, likeability

By Jon Stinnett The Cottage Grove Sentinel In his 2000 book, “Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton,” author John Bengtson follows in the silent film star’s footsteps, searching out the secrets in places like Cottage Grove that became backdrops for Keaton’s masterpieces. It was work that required tenacity and a commitment to uncovering secrets and documenting history.

In “Silent Echoes,”

Bengtson writes of taking the BART train to U.C. Berkeley to attend a 10-week festival of Keaton’s films.

“This was truly one of the happiest, most exhilarating experiences of my life,” he writes. “Back then, I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would some day follow Buster’s trail…”

So what exactly is it about Keaton’s films and the star himself that has so captivated Bengston and others?

“It’s hard to put into a few words,” Bengtson told the Sentinel, before attempting to do just that.

“Buster Keaton was so talented, so brilliant, so clever,” he said. “There was something almost otherworldly about him.”

Keaton, he explained, had a keen ability to remain stoic under pressure, the “calm in the eye of a storm,” and the way he constructed a film was simply masterful.

“Everything was connected, and there was a reason for it all,” Bengtson said. “He told fantastic stories visually and did all his own stunts.”

Not that any of that went to Keaton’s head, however.

“He was an all-around good person,” Bengtson said. “He

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was remarkably likeable and talented in so many different ways, but he wasn’t a prima donna. Instead it was, ‘let’s play baseball.’ He wasn’t pretentious at all, and a lot of people found that very appealing.”

And if accounts from the Sentinel that summer are any indication, Cottage Grove enjoyed itself immensely while Keaton was in town.

“In a small way, the film put Cottage Grove on the map,” Bengtson said. “I don’t think you can overemphasize how big a deal this was in the 1920s to have

a Hollywood actor arrive in your small town. I can’t imagine how exciting it must have been.”

Still, the townspeople weren’t the only ones having a blast back then.

“I can’t imagine how much fun Buster must have had!”

Bengtson said. “He loved filming trains, and this was his masterpiece about a train. In a small town, he wasn’t bothered, and he could focus on filming. And here he was at the peak of his career.”

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The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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On location: The filming of "The General," then and now

Now Then As an open field next to railroad tracks, this field was used for several chase scenes. The tracks are now part of the Row River Trail north of Safeway.

The field is now the loca on of Safeway, a shopping plaza and parking lot.

East Main Street While the trees and foreground have changed in the 90 years, the lines of the hills in the background help iden fy this area of filming.

Then The river was temporarily dammed downstream to increase the water level at the film site. The bridge was build for the movie and this shot. Much of the engine was le in the river, un l WWII when scrap metal was an important commodity.

S ll one of the best before and a er comparisons, this side by side, found in John Bengtson’s Silent Echo’s, clearly shows the rocks and hillside in the film.

Now The river remains, the bridge, having been built for the movie, is no longer there and water levels remain normal. Much of the site sits on private property and is not easily accessible.

Row River This infamous scene was shot in one take just upriver from the old Bohemia Mill Site, now the parking lot at the east end of the Row River Trail.

The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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Then Located on River Road this scene clearly shows the old water hose tower. This scene is described as just north of the silk creek bridge.

Now Looking North along River Road today provides a much different scene. The hose tower is gone, though a replica of it resides in All America Square on Main Street.

River Road just north of the Silk Creek Bridge

Then The Bartell Hotel was where Buster and the crew stayed during Picture courtesy of Dr. Anne Millbrooke filming. The top le picture is from a collec on of ‘behind the scene’ pictures from the me of the filming. The picture to the right was taken in 1930 and helps us see that the top picture is indeed from the front of the Bartell Hotel. No ce trim on awning and windows above the door.

Now No longer a hotel, the building remains, Picture courtesy of Dr. Anne Millbrooke housing apartments upstairs and businesses at street level. One current business, Busters Café, has embraced the historical connec on providing a fun film décor as well as delicious meals.

Co age Grove Hotel (Bartell Hotel)

The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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Then

Now

One of Buster Keaton’s favorite pas mes was playing baseball. He o en challenged locals to play against him and his crew.

Though certainly updated, Kelly Field remains a ball field to this day. Used by schools & athle c clubs, kids s ll play baseball in the footsteps of Buster.

Kelly Field,

Then

Now

Located on River Road, this barn was prominent in the movie, once call “an inanimate star in the movie”.

At the me of filming the barn was part of the Co age Grove Flour Mill.

The barn stood for many years, but was burned down in the early 2000’s. Now an open field, a feed store s ll operates at the loca on.

Old Mill Farm Store

The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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From the June 7, 1926 Sentinel:

Everyone is coming to the Hollywood of Oregon Courtesy to Spectators Seems "Traveling men, traffic officers and any others who to be Watchword of The chance to pass through the city make the movie Keaton Company With the Buster Keaton picture under way here, Cottage Grove the mecca of sight-seers from everywhere. Gathered around the city of Marietta while the camera is clicking there are enough people to populate a good-sized city, but they have to keep out of focus of the camera.

Beyond that no restrictions are being placed. On one side of the street of Marietta may be gathered spectators while on the other side a picture of 63 years ago is being filmed. Automobile agents have flocked here in the hope of getting the advertising that would come from selling a car to Buster or his lady, Marion Mack.

their first objective. Business can wait, and anyway those with whom they may wish to transact business are more likely to be found “on the set” than behind their counters or in their offices."

The groups of spectators crowded around do not fluster the movie actors. If the crowds jam in too close, Production Manager Gabourie, or location Manager Jackson, or some other official, or Buster himself courteously requests, “Will you please stand back so as not to cast a shadow on the picture?”

Two hours may be taken to get the proper setting and action for a single short scene that may be

later eliminated, and time is costing somewhere near $400 an hour, about $7 a minute, or 12 cents a second.

Each piece of acting is being filmed several times, sometimes six times.

A piece of poor acting doesn’t spoil an act. All that is necessary is to take it over. Taking a movie is like conducting a rehearsal, and participants haven’t much to memorize.

What they said may be thought of later by those who write the titles.

A Georgia summer climate has prevailed, as though Nature was helping to make everything realistic.

Tuesday afternoon a stiff breeze toppled over the drug store building and spectators expected to hear a great crash of bottles and glassware.

Not even a window was broken, however, for there was no glass to be broken, although that will not be noticeable in the finished film. The building was replaced within a short time.

Traveling men, traffic officers and any others who chance to pass through the city make the movie their first objective. Business can wait, and anyway those with whom they may wish to transact business are more likely to be found “on the set” than behind their counters or in their offices.

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The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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From the June 17, 1926 Sentinel:

Interest Still Keen in Production of Buster Keaton Film Pictures Continue to Attract Hundreds; Row River is Scene of Work Now. The interest of Cottage Grove people is still focused on the filming of Buster Keaton’s Civil war picture, “The General,” and although this week many of the scenes have been enacted at points several miles distant from the city, crowds of eager spectators have continued to follow the cameras about. Nor is interest centered in Cottage Grove anymore. Hundreds have come from all parts of Lane county and distant points in the state to see their first motion picture taken.

A large number of the scenes

taken this week were made on Row river, where the natural scenery along this stream lends itself perfectly for reproduction of Tennessee and Georgia landscapes. Parts of the work at Dorena was completed Saturday and followed by scenes at Wildwood, where another movie town called “Kingston” had been erected.

Cloudy weather early in the week prevented some of the camera work at Kingston, but the weather since Monday has been ideal and filming has gone forward at a rapid rate. Officials of the company have stated satisfactory progress is being made with the picture and they have expressed themselves as being well pleased The stars of the picture — Buster with his beloved engine, The General. with all the locations.

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The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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From the June 14, 1926 special edition of the Sentinel:

Film Fans Converge on Kingston Culp Creek, Ore., June 14 - (Special) - Today, the order was “On to Kingston.” The same order, perhaps, rang over the rugged hills of Tennessee some 60 odd years ago; but today it was on the picturesque banks of the Row river. Kingston is the Keaton movie town just above Wildwood, some two and one half miles above Culp Creek, on the O.P.&E. railway.

Here a depot and a dwelling — a facsimile of an historic Civil war town in Tennessee, was erected. The Keaton company was transported to the scene from headquarters in Cottage Grove on its own trains, one a freight train of Union and Confederate soldiers, the other a passenger train transporting other actors.

The early morning looked hardly favorable to good “shooting,” but as the day wore on the sky cleared somewhat and several scenes were taken.

It is understood that the work now in hand at Kingston will be continued tomorrow, conditions being favorable. Many people from the several secLarge crowds attended the filming at many of its locations, with the only directive being that tions of the country motored to the place to view they not "cast a shadow on the picture." the filming, some of them from Eugene.

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The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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From the Jan. 24, 1927 Sentinel:

'The General' to Show Five Days at Arcade Cottage Grove’s Own Picture Has Thrilling Scenes; Committee Approves.

Cottage Grove’s own movie, “The General,” which Buster Keaton filmed here last summer, will open for a fiveday showing starting Tuesday at the Arcade Theater. It is expected that a large number will attend from the surrounding country.

A chamber of commerce committee, which saw the picture in Portland as guests of the Majestic theater, reported being favorably impressed with the comedy and with the way Cottage Grove scenery showed up. The film is still showing in Portland.

One of the outstanding scenes of the picture is that showing a locomotive crashing through a burning trestle.

Thousands were attracted to Culp Creek the day that this was taken.

Many papers in the country have claimed that this scene was taken in miniature. One ingenious writer even told how the locomotive was lowered on cables to prevent it from being damaged in the crash. Thousands in this territory will bear witness to the authenticity of this thrilling scene.

Many residents of this city took part in the picture and these are looking forward to seeing how they appear on the silver screen.

Matinees will be held each day of the engagement, the Arcade theater management states.

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The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

Page 15 Aug. 12, 1926

When Buster Came to Town

By Jack Howard, Sr. We’re not afraid that he’ll retort, Because we call him “common sort;” The which, we mean, he doesn’t think That he’s the only living gink, When Buster comes to town.

‘Twas something like a gala dayThe green o’trees was in full sway; ‘Twas on a morning back in June, And all the birds were in full tune, When Buster came to town.

We country folks are slow to fall, For those who seldom ever call; And so it’s hardly a surprise, Because we slowly made a rise, When Buster came to town.

We’ll miss im when he’s gone again, From this old spot of sun and rain; But he’ll remember us, you bet, Because he has opinion set, When Buster came to town.

But, sure as fate, we know him now, A clever sport – a perfect “Wow”; For he sure is some likely lad, No matter in what duds he’s clad, When Buster comes to town.

r e t h g Lau

That we are square and fell for him, Nor never criticize a whim; And did our best to smooth his way, From scene to scene of his movie

play, When Buster came to town.

He’s promised that he’ll come again, When Old Sol laughs through smoke and rain; And we will shake his baseball mitt, And indicate that he’s a hit, When Buster comes to town.

So then we’ll reckon time from now, Until with silvered heads we bow; And base our facts upon “the time” We heard the engine whistle chime When Buster came to town.

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The General 90th Anniversary Keepsake Program

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