Topics for this episode:
- Typewriters (replacement for computers after EMP)
- How to find north without a compass
- How to change your own spark plugs

As a fan of Buster Keaton since 1995, I have been collecting Keaton’s films on a variety of formats, going all the way back to VHS. On viewing the new Blu-ray release from Kino, I must say that I am extremely impressed for the most part. I am still comparing this new blu-ray set to other previous DVD releases.

The only downside of this particular release was that Kino was unable or otherwise did not include elements of the films that were originally provided by Lobster Films in Kino’s “Keaton Plus” DVD release. And to make things sadder still, in not using Lobster to produce this set, they missed out in the best possible source footage.

For example, in the comparison below, you can see that the DVD version of the Master’s of Cinema 2006 release actually is a better cut of “Convict 13″ than Kino’s source footage.

BUT, there are other films where the Kino version contains more information, as seen here:

Overall, though, I must say that Kino did an excellent job.

Below are screen captures comparing the new Blu-ray set, Kino’s 2001 DVD collection called “The Art of Buster Keaton,” and the Masters of Cinema Buster Keaton Complete Short Films DVD set.

The film used for comparison will be “The High Sign,” because in Kino’s new Blu-ray release, they’ve included two versions, one of the regular film, and one ‘enhanced’ version where most of the film grain and scratches were digitally removed.

Click the Blu-ray thumbnails below for a high res version.

Kino 2001 “Art of Buster Keaton”

Masters of Cinema 2006 “Buster Keaton Complete Short Films”

Kino 2011 “The Short Films Collection”

Kino 2011 “The Short Films Collection” – Enhanced version

Kino 2001 “Art of Buster Keaton”

Masters of Cinema 2006 “Buster Keaton Complete Short Films”

Kino 2011 “The Short Films Collection”

Kino 2011 “The Short Films Collection” – Enhanced version

Kino 2001 “Art of Buster Keaton”

Masters of Cinema 2006 “Buster Keaton Complete Short Films”

Kino 2011 “The Short Films Collection”

Kino 2011 “The Short Films Collection” – Enhanced version

Kino 2001 “Art of Buster Keaton”

Masters of Cinema 2006 “Buster Keaton Complete Short Films”

Kino 2011 “The Short Films Collection”

Kino 2011 “The Short Films Collection” – Enhanced version