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Block_Me_Amadeus t1_j6i5lho wrote

Reply to comment by RebeccaC78 in Buster Keaton, Roscoe Arbuckle, and Al St. John, 1918. Once his deadpan persona became established, Keaton avoided smiling in front of a camera. by L0st_in_the_Stars

There is plenty of evidence that he was totally innocent of the charges. He looks "creepy" because he's wearing white pancake stage makeup with heavy eyeliner around light eyes.

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clce t1_j6jv6k7 wrote

He actually had a rather handsome charismatic baby face. I think he would also be considered charismatic in general, but much of it was his appearance. I don't think he would have been mere as successful without that. But on the other hand, he was a true comic genius both in what he came up with, but also his sense of physical movement and timing. I think he is sadly and criminally underappreciated these days

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Block_Me_Amadeus t1_j6k5jf7 wrote

I hadn't heard a lot about the actual case until I listened to a two hour deep dive podcast. He was absolutely unfairly accused and it was awful to waste his talent and his health.

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clce t1_j6k5xik wrote

I read a lengthy article about it. I don't remember the details well enough but the impression I got was that he may well have been innocent. I see nothing else in his history that would make me think he was particularly predatory. But on the other hand, a lot of rich and powerful men back then did feel pretty entitled in regards to women and I can't have or couldn't have. But as I recall, there was one or two elements about his accusers that made it sound pretty suspect.

So all I can say is, if he were innocent, it is a real shame that he lost his career and we lost great entertainer

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