Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "The Play House" is a 1921 silent black-and-white short film written by, directed by and starring silent movie legend Buster Keaton. His regular collaborators Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts and Edward F. Cline are on board again too. The latter is his co-director, co-writer and also supporting actor. Unfortunately, I must say this is possibly the weakest Keaton film I have seen. It's really getting too much of a one-man show by now and I wish they would create realistic stories around the supporting players as well. The fact that Keaton plays a dozen different characters in this one, even females is very telling. Apart from that, some scenes of the film looked like these very early 1-minute films from the 1890s. They were okay for their time, but 25 years later it simply isn't enough anymore. The jokes and slapstick weren't particularly entertaining either. Not recommended.

MartinHafer I've seen quite a few of Buster Keaton's short comedies and I would have to say this is probably one of the best of those still in existence. And, oddly, it isn't just because this is a very funny film, but because the first ten minutes or so are absolutely amazing--having perhaps the greatest camera-work of his age. In a case of complete absurdism, Buster is shown playing every part in a musical--including each member of the orchestra, the audience (ranging from men to women to kids) and even minstrels. While this isn't politically correct, it is amazing! Then, Keaton wakes up--it's all a very complex dream. In fact, he is a stage hand and occasional actor and has a wide variety of adventures both on and behind the stage. One of the cuter bits is an act consisting of identical twins--one is in love with Buster, the other could care less. He ALWAYS seems to think the wrong one is his lady love. In another great moment, he accidentally lets a trained orangutan go and so he dons makeup and imitates a chimp to keep the act from being a bomb. And, his chimp makeup and actions are uncanny and funny!The film has so many laughs I can't even begin to list them all. Plus, amazingly fresh ideas and direction make this a must-see. Perhaps even better than wonderful shorts such as COPS!

David Lane For some reason, I find the Buster Keaton features such as "the General" and "Steamboat Bill Jr." to be well-made, yet lacking in the explosive laughter I would expect. His short films however, pack a punch with comedy. "The Playhouse" is his best work ever - a showcase of his versatility and unparalleled comedic techniques. Any musician watching his clarinet technique (gnawing on the mouthpiece) can't help but hit the floor when they watch the opening orchestra scene. Likewise, the variety of audience members he plays, this is amazing. I can't help but wonder... how long (given makeup and costumes) did this one scene take to film? There are also more Warner Brothers cartoon foreshadowing in this than most other films I've seen. For a true short film masterpiece, see this film.

Ron Oliver A BUSTER KEATON Silent Short.You can expect a lively night when the Buster Keaton Minstrels entertain at THE PLAYHOUSE.This hilarious little film is a tour de force for Keaton, who is often devastatingly funny. The amount of obvious effort that went in to making the special effects work is also impressive. Highlights: the opening minutes, with Buster playing absolutely everyone in the theater, from an old lady to a little boy, and, a little further on, Buster's peerless impersonation of a chimpanzee.Born into a family of Vaudevillian acrobats, Buster Keaton (1895-1966) mastered physical comedy at a very early age. An association with Fatty Arbuckle led to a series of highly imaginative short subjects and classic, silent feature-length films - all from 1920 to 1928. Writer, director, star & stuntman - Buster could do it all and his intuitive genius gave him almost miraculous knowledge as to the intricacies of film making and of what it took to please an audience. More akin to Fairbanks than Chaplin, Buster's films were full of splendid adventure, exciting derring-do and the most dangerous physical stunts imaginable. His theme of a little man against the world, who triumphs through bravery & ingenuity, dominates his films. Through every calamity & disaster, Buster remained the Great Stone Face, a stoic survivor in a universe gone mad.In the late 1920's Buster was betrayed by his manager/brother-in-law and his contract was sold to MGM, which proceeded to nearly destroy his career. Teamed initially with Jimmy Durante and eventually allowed small roles in mediocre comedies, Buster was for 35 years consistently given work far beneath his talent. Finally, before lung cancer took him at age 70, he had the satisfaction of knowing that his classic films were being rediscovered. Now, well past his centenary, Buster Keaton is routinely recognized & appreciated as one of cinema's true authentic geniuses. And he knew how to make people laugh...