Buster Keaton film to grace Paramount screen

Jun. 18—ANDERSON — Before there was "Jackass" or Jackie Chan, there was Buster Keaton.

Keaton captured the hearts and stomachs of audiences during the era of silent films with his original stunts and funny antics.

"The General," which will be showing June 22 at 7:30 p.m, follows a Southern railroad engineer, Johnny Gray, who tries to recover a Confederate locomotive after it was stolen by Union spies.

Rich Jorn, executive director of the Paramount Theatre, remembered watching Keaton perform death-defying stunts on the big screen as a kid.

This film and others were a regular staple in the Jorn household as his father had a soft spot for comedy.

"It's going to be a thrill," Jorn said.

This event came about as a result of the late September screening of "Phantom of the Opera." The show featured live organist Ken Double who took audiences on a journey to yesteryear with his self-composed score.

Audience responses were overwhelmingly positive. They asked if the next film could be a comedy. Jorn and his crew were happy to oblige.

"The General" will be part of a series of silent films at The Paramount, which will include "Nosferatu" Oct. 19, and "The Kid," starring Charlie Chaplin Jan. 11.

Each of the screenings will feature Clark Wilson, house organist for the Ohio Theatre in Columbus.

Wilson will be performing on the Grande Page organ, which was designed for silent films as it literally has all the bells and whistles necessary for films.

Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at [email protected] or 765-648-4254.