Runtime: 23 minutes
Directed by: Buster Keaton/Malcolm St. Clair
Starring: Keaton, Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts, St. Clair
From: Metro Pictures Corporation
Buster Keaton is The GOAT, indeed. An obvious joke, but it is funny how the term applies 104 years later when it originally did not mean that at all. It’s been awhile since viewing any silents, and even longer since tackling any Buster Keaton. As this was highly regarded…
While the short stops instead of resolving its major plot point, otherwise I was entertained. Keaton’s character might as well have been named Bad Luck Brian. We see him experience misfortune then via circumstances, villain Dead Shot Dan made it look like Buster was the escaped convict instead of Dan. From there, multiple cops-including the father of Keaton’s love interest-are after him.
The expected slapstick, wild stunts and clever visual humor are all present. It’d be a crime to spoil too many of the gags; however, the unexpected way that Buster jumped through a particular window to avoid capture was tremendous. It’s a transom window; I’ll be specific as many probably aren’t familiar w/ that word… another highlight: all the jokes revolving around the usage of then-modern elevators. It is not my favorite short from Buster but it should still be delightful for most Keaton fans.
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