Length: 56 minutes
Director: Buster Keaton
Cast: Buster Keaton, T. Roy Barnes, Snitz Edwards, Ruth Dwyer, Frances Raymond, Erwin Connelly, Jules Cowles
Eric's Impressions: Much like his contemporary Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton is best remembered for his comedic antics on screen. Especially in action sequences, the genius of each is on full display. Another common trait in many of their films that is sometimes missed is that these comedies actually have feelings. This movie fits that mold with crazy and unnerving gags intermixed with a beautiful love story. You might not laugh as loudly as you do watching his other movies, but your appreciation of all that Keaton brings to the screen will grow even deeper.
Natalie's Impressions: This is the only Keaton film I have seen where I did not laugh from beginning to end. In fact, the first half of the film was not really funny at all. I don't even know if it was supposed to be funny. The premise of the film is certainly amusing but the plot didn't really thicken and climax until the end, which had more scenes with Keaton doing crazy physical stunts, like all his other films. The boulder-dodging scene is very memorable although I have to think they either sped up the camera to make it seem like he was really running that fast and that they didn't use real boulders made of rock. Either way, it was still a scene that required great skill.
COUNTDOWN: Just 981 movies to go!
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