Since nearly every aspect of Keaton’s story and work has been written about in some form, it is the goal of this book to present a new perspective on his early life in the entertainment business, beginning before vaudeville and moving through the Comique films, Keaton’s first foray into the industry. A microscopic approach to this early period has the goal of illuminating in great detail the formative years of Keaton’s career, in order to better understand the brilliance of his ‘independence’ and the tragedy of his years at MGM, bringing him to a place in entertainment history that celebrates the little gems and sparks of brilliance in his later creative life and career.