College Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

College Blu-ray Movie Review

Losing some control of the creative independence he fought so hard to achieve, Buster Keaton makes the best out of 1927’s “College,” his follow-up to “The General.” While Harold Lloyd raised hell on campus in “The Freshman,” Keaton takes a slightly sillier route to laughs, looking to define the experience of higher education, from dorm life to employment to sporting glory. The athletic elements of “College” give it a special energy, with Keaton making light of baseball and track events using his natural buoyancy, allowing the movie to achieve a welcome personality.

College Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

This "2K restoration" from Lobster Films carries "College" far during the AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation, though limitations are discovered along the way. The viewing experience is largely refreshed to satisfaction, but minor elements of flicker and speckling are detected, and more pronounced chemical damage is occasionally encountered. Detail is valuable for the feature's sporting follies, permitting a scan of choreography, and facial response is clear enough to enjoy. Delineation isn't problematic.

College Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For the 2.0 LPCM sound event, listeners can choose between scores by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra and John Muri (organ). Much like the "Steamboat Bill, Jr." audio experience, Muri's score isn't quite as precise as the orchestra option, though both selections are capable of supporting the action of "College," emphasizing character beats and scene tonality.

College Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features Rob Farr.

• Introduction (4:29, HD) reunites with Lobster Film rep Serge Bromberg, who discusses the triumphs of "College," hoping to boost its reputation as one of Keaton's less interesting features.

• Lillian Gish Introduction (4:18, SD) is another episode of "The Silent Years," with the celebrated actress sharing her personal excitement for Keaton's career and his work on "College," also presenting a gentle warning about the effort's blackface content.

• Tour of Filming Locations (9:57, SD) is hosted by John Bengston, author of "Silent Echoes," and he takes viewers around L.A., using photographs to showcase where the production set up shop.

• "The Scribe" (29:31, HD) is a 1966 short about construction safety, produced by the Construction Safety Association of Ontario, Canada. It's a fine collection of Keaton comedy, refusing to let age slow him down, and it's also the actor's final performance.

• "Run, Girl, Run" (18:27, HD) is a 1928 short starring Carol Lombard.

College Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's a hurdle to cross with "College," which includes a major sequence performed in blackface. It's not pretty, but it's not a deal-breaker, requiring viewers to understand the age of the production. Beyond racial insensitivity, there's plenty to like about "College," which showcases Keaton in one of his most playful performances.