Films/DVD Asylum

Re: Two-part film trivia question for all my fellow film bufs:

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In Reply to: Two-part film trivia question for all my fellow film bufs: posted by AuPh on February 13, 2002 at 10:44:19:

I haven't watched the X-Files in years, but I remember that episode, in part because I recognized the name Clyde Bruckman. He was a screenwriter for early Hollywood comedies by Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Laurel & Hardy, and W.C. Fields. He was also listed as director on many of their movies, but it is generally accepted that he really just stood by while the stars created the film.
As I recall, he committed suicide with Buster Keaton's gun. Didn't Boyle's character also kill himself in the X-Files episode?
Ted

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Congratulations Ted, you got it! - AuPh 15:52:25 02/13/02 (0)
As I recall, in the X-Files episode Boyle allowed himself to be shot or stabbed by the killer; in essence it was a suicide since he forsaw the outcome and did nothing to stop it. The other similarity between the Bruckman of fiction and the real Clyde Bruckman is that neither found solace or prosperity in their gift.
The real Clyde Bruckman was a top gag writer in the 20's who received a co-directing credit from Keaton and was immediately hired by Harold Lloyd to direct one of his pictures. However, marital problems combined with the new responsibilities unnerved him and he turned to alcohol; he continued to work, but his fortunes declined over the years. As you're probably aware, in Hollywood appearances are everything. So, in 1953 when Clyde Bruckman had lunch at an expensive restaurant and was handed a bill that he couldn't pay he calmly walked into the men's restroom and shot himself with the gun Buster Keaton had loaned him.
Audiophilander

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