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Charles Henry Smith(1866-1942)

  • Writer
  • Additional Crew
  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
A collection of essential films from one of the greats of cinema operating at the height of his powers...

Between 1920 and 1929, Buster Keaton created a peerless run of feature films that established him as "arguably the greatest actor-director in the history of the movies". Collected here are three key films from that era; Sherlock Jr., The General and Steamboat Bill, Jr. Together they represent a true master at his peak, and The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present all three films from stunning new 4K restorations available for the first time on Blu-ray anywhere in the world.

Sherlock Jr. (1924) - A film projectionist (and amateur detective) offers to solve the case of a missing watch, but is instead framed for the crime himself. Desperate to clear his name, the projectionist dreams of being the great Sherlock Jr., and in one of cinemas most iconic sequences, literally steps into the screen to bring his fantasies to life. 

The General (1926) - When union spies steal his locomotive (along with his girlfriend), a plucky railway engineer pursues them doggedly across enemy lines. Containing one of the most memorable chase sequences in the history of filmmaking, The General is widely considered to be Keaton's masterpiece.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) - A steamboat captain receives a telegram informing him that his son who he has not seen for many years will be coming to visit. Eagerly expecting a strapping young lad who will help him compete with his arch-rival, he is disappointed with the effete progeny that instead shows up. Best remembered for its climactic cyclone sequence in which Keaton performs a number of death-defying stunts whilst an entire town is destroyed around him, Steamboat Bill, Jr. was Buster Keaton's last independent silent comedy and also one of his finest. 

BUSTER KEATON: 3 FILMS Limited Edition Blu-ray Trailer https://youtu.be/4a9VXNW0jjE
Play trailer1:34
The General (1926)
Charles Henry Smith was born on 12 July 1866 in Germany. He was a writer and actor, known for The General (1926), Battling Butler (1926) and The Silver Lining (1921). He was married to Lillian Ashley (vaudevillian) and Beatrice Lapla. He died on 11 July 1942 in Hollywood, California, USA.
BornJuly 12, 1866
DiedJuly 11, 1942(75)
BornJuly 12, 1866
DiedJuly 11, 1942(75)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
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Known for

Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
The General
8.1
  • Writer(as Charles Smith)
  • 1926
Buster Keaton in Battling Butler (1926)
Battling Butler
7.0
  • Writer(as Charles H. Smith)
  • 1926
Jewel Carmen in The Silver Lining (1921)
The Silver Lining
  • Writer(as Charles H. Smith)
  • 1921
Jewel Carmen and Kenneth Harlan in Nobody (1921)
Nobody
  • Writer(as Charles H. Smith)
  • 1921

Credits

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IMDbPro

Writer



  • Malcolm McGregor and Sally O'Neil in The Girl on the Barge (1929)
    The Girl on the Barge
    5.8
    • dialogue
    • 1929
  • Reginald Denny and Olive Hasbrouck in Clear the Decks (1929)
    Clear the Decks
    • titles (as Charles H. Smith)
    • 1929
  • Otis Harlan, Mary Philbin, and Fred MacKaye in Port of Dreams (1928)
    Port of Dreams
    • dialogue (as Charles H. Smith)
    • 1928
  • Viola Dana, Patricia Palmer, and Roger Moore in Naughty Nanette (1927)
    Naughty Nanette
    • story (as Charles H. Smith)
    • 1927
  • Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    The General
    8.1
    • adapted by (as Charles Smith)
    • 1926
  • Buster Keaton in Battling Butler (1926)
    Battling Butler
    7.0
    • adapted by: from the 1923 stage success of the same name (as Charles H. Smith)
    • 1926
  • Jewel Carmen and Kenneth Harlan in Nobody (1921)
    Nobody
    • scenario (as Charles H. Smith)
    • 1921
  • Jewel Carmen in The Silver Lining (1921)
    The Silver Lining
    • adaptation
    • screenplay (as Charles H. Smith)
    • 1921

Additional Crew



  • Una Merkel and Chester Morris in The Bat Whispers (1930)
    The Bat Whispers
    6.3
    • dialogue director
    • production assistant (as Charles H. Smith)
    • 1930

Actor



  • Buster Keaton in The General (1926)
    The General
    8.1
    • Her Father (as Charles Smith)
    • 1926

Videos1

BUSTER KEATON: 3 FILMS [Masters of Cinema] Limited Edition Blu-ray Boxed Set
Trailer 1:34
BUSTER KEATON: 3 FILMS [Masters of Cinema] Limited Edition Blu-ray Boxed Set

Personal details

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  • Alternative names
    • Charles H. Smith
  • Born
    • July 12, 1866
    • Germany
  • Died
    • July 11, 1942
    • Hollywood, California, USA(atherosclerosis)
  • Spouses
      Lillian Ashley (vaudevillian)February 5, 1909 - July 11, 1942 (his death)
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Article

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    Immigrated to the U.S. in 1869; naturalized in 1894.

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