Technically, Buster Keaton's first written, directed and acting feature film was his earlier September 1923's "Three Ages." Buster, however, was unsure his idea of spotlighting history's different take on a love story, segmented into The Stone Age, Ancient Rome and the present day, would fly with the public. He and Metro Pictures were prepared to break the three segments into short films if the previews were negative. Judging from audiences reactions, however, the studio decided to keep "Three Ages" as one motion picture, becoming unofficially Keaton's first feature film.
Throughout the three segments, Keaton attempts to woe the Girl (Margaret Leahy) while his archival, the Villain (Wallace Beery) seems to have the inside track towards her in all three eras. The film's main appeal is to show present day devices used in the past, such as Buster's calling card made out of a thick slab of rock in the Stone Age.
Although Buster's physicality is subdued in "Three Ages," one stunt captured on film that went wrong was his leap from one building's rooftop to another. His jump from a board fell short, and he smashed into the next building's facade, before falling into the net below. He was out three days recuperating, but he gladly discovered his cameramen took his advice to never stop recording no matter what went wrong. He designed retaining the bumbling footage to add his signature fall by slamming through three awnings before grabbing a downspout, flinging into the upper floor of a firehouse before sliding down the fire pole to conclude the jaw dropping stunt.
"Three Ages" was also the first to film the just opened Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Buster used the stadium's east portico as a backdrop when his character courts his girlfriend at her home.
Throughout the three segments, Keaton attempts to woe the Girl (Margaret Leahy) while his archival, the Villain (Wallace Beery) seems to have the inside track towards her in all three eras. The film's main appeal is to show present day devices used in the past, such as Buster's calling card made out of a thick slab of rock in the Stone Age.
Although Buster's physicality is subdued in "Three Ages," one stunt captured on film that went wrong was his leap from one building's rooftop to another. His jump from a board fell short, and he smashed into the next building's facade, before falling into the net below. He was out three days recuperating, but he gladly discovered his cameramen took his advice to never stop recording no matter what went wrong. He designed retaining the bumbling footage to add his signature fall by slamming through three awnings before grabbing a downspout, flinging into the upper floor of a firehouse before sliding down the fire pole to conclude the jaw dropping stunt.
"Three Ages" was also the first to film the just opened Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Buster used the stadium's east portico as a backdrop when his character courts his girlfriend at her home.