The Play House (1921)

Director:

Buster Keaton

Writers:

Edward F. Cline (writer)
Buster Keaton (writer)

Release Date:

6 October 1921 (USA)

Genre:

Short | Comedy | Fantasy

Plot:

The opening scene, a dream sequence prior to the vaudeville routines which follow, is what makes this film famous...

Plot Keywords:

Vaudeville | Dream | Dream Sequence | Sight Gag | Orangutan

Cast

Buster Keaton

...

Audience / Orchestra / Mr. Brown - First Minstrel / Second Minstrel / Interctors / Stagehand

Runtime:

22 min | Spain:18 min | USA:20 min (2005 DVD release)

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

UK:U | Canada:G (Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Spain:T

Company:

Joseph M. Schenck Productions

Trivia:

The multiple Busters on screen together were created in the camera, using a special lens with shutters to film only a portion of the scene at a time. Buster would perform one part, then the cameraman would crank the film back and open another shutter to film another part. A banjo player with a metronome helped Keaton to perform precisely at the right time for each take.

Quotes:

Interactor: Mr. Brown, I understand you had a cyclone in your town.
Mr. Brown /First Minstrel: Yes, sir, the wind blew so hard it blew a silver dollar into four quarters.
Second Minstrel: That nothing. The wind blew so hard it blew a wart off a man's nose and broke a window two blocks away.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

Brilliant editing makes this Buster's most cinematic short

During the first five minutes of this short, we see Buster assume over two dozen characters (including three pairs of audience members, conductor, six orchestra members, a stage technician and an astonishing nine minstrels all in a row.) He also manages to dance with himself on stage. The multiple exposures had to take place within the camera - accurately masking off sections of the film, then re-running it to expose parts while those already filmed are covered. Special effects had not come to the labs as yet. This brilliant knowledge of film and film editing shows why he is the greatest of all silent film comedians - he understood the craft and the art of film making.

The remainder of the film does not live up to those first five minutes. Buster pursues twins (actually the same girl-again making use of multiple exposures). There is a great impersonation of a monkey but other than that not much to amuse us. The pair of war veterans, each with one arm, clapping their remaining hands together when both liking something comes a cropper when one refuses to lend his hand to an act he doesn't care for. Other than these two inspired bits, the rest of the film is not inspired. It moves very fast and is amusing. Those first five minutes, though, and the edited screen sequence in SHERLOCK JR. are Keaton's greatest moments on film.

Kino's print is crisp and clear, using violin, piano, drum, flute accompaniment. A must-see.