I remember seeing this scene for the first time and realizing that Buster was not just the silly man in the funny hat. He was a brilliant luminous actor. I was frightened for him, his ladylove, and his train. I was and always am wholly blanketed in the beautifully well-told adventure. This was amazing drama - real drama, with real human emotions, and magnificent humor. No wonder this was his favorite movie out of everything he ever did. Buster was a gorgeous genius when it came to character and story, and that mastery is best exemplified in The General.
Louise Brooks once commented to Buster about this scene, saying
“You were so terribly beautiful in its tragic lighting, Buster, so out of key with your comic character -I can’t understand why you didn’t cut that shot out of the picture.”
(Source: monocoleporter, via frostneko)
