Keaton took readily to the cinema, working with fellow comedian Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle before moving out on his own. He made a series of shorts and features where he was the main creative force on and off screen.

Eventually alcoholism, marital problems and a loss of control of his films led to a downturn in his career. His third marriage in 1940 was happy and lasting, though, he kept working and his films were rediscovered in the 1950s. He was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1959.

His movies are inventive, full of spectacular and often dangerous stunts, and best of all, still funny. Sherlock Jr (1924) is a good introduction to his work: well under an hour, it's about a lovelorn theatre projectionist studying to be a detective.

It's renowned for its surreal film-in-a-film sequence and some of Keaton's most amazing stunts: in one involving gushing water, he fractured his neck but didn't find out until nine years later, by which time he had already made many other films.

A feature with a real historical feel is the seriocomic The General (1926), in which Keaton plays an engineer trying to recover his train - The General of the title - during the US Civil War. It's based loosely on a true story and while it was not greeted with rapture on initial release, its reputation has grown.

Also based on a true story is Our Hospitality (1923), about a young man caught up in the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Keaton - who, as usual, did his own stunts - nearly drowned during production during the river scene.

The Playhouse (1921) is a technically impressive short in which Keaton plays all the audience members and performers at a variety show. It's one of many he made.

All of these films, among others, can be found on YouTube to watch for free and there are also compilations of his stunts for the impatient. Keaton's work remains wonderfully inventive and funny.