Length: 74 minutes
Director: John G. Blystone, Buster Keaton
Cast: Joe Roberts, Ralph Bushman, Craig Ward, Monte Collins, Joe Keaton, Kitty Bradbury, Buster Keaton Jr., Buster Keaton, Natalie Talmadge
Eric's Impressions: The Keaton-Chaplin comparisons will never die as these two comedic and cinematic pioneers were constantly one-upping each other throughout the silent era. I will admit that I have always preferred Chaplin and probably always will, but as of late, my appreciation of Keaton's genius grows with each new viewing of his works. In this movie, the action in the bicycle and train sequences - all performed by Keaton himself - stand right up there with anything stunt legends like Jackie Chan have done on film. The storyline of feuding families works, but it's the antics of Keaton that make you want to watch his movies over and over.
Natalie's Impressions: Whether Keaton is rescuing a damsel in distress from plunging to the death over a waterfall or trying to escape his murderous hosts while simultaneously wooing his love interest, his facial expression characteristically remains stoic, in contrast to fellow physical comedy actor Charlie Chaplin. It is undeniably impressive that Keaton performed all his own stunts for all his films, even breaking his neck during the making of Sherlock, Jr. but what I find even more unique is the fact that his facial expression never- and I mean never- changes. He might raise an eye brow or furrow his brows once in a while but the mouth is forever frozen in a straight line even when he is head over heels in love. He is truly one of a kind.
COUNTDOWN: Just 987 movies to go!
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