BLACKSMITH, THE (director/writer: Buster Keaton/Malcolm St. Clair; cinematographer: Elgin Lessley; editor: Buster Keaton; music: Lee Erwin; cast: Buster Keaton (Blacksmiths Assistant), Joe Roberts (Blacksmith), Virginia Fox (Horsewoman); Runtime: 25; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Raymond Rohauer/Joseph M. Schenck; Kino; 1922-silent)
“Laugh-out-loud two-reeler.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
In this laugh-out-loud two-reeler Buster Keaton is the meek assistant to the burly and volatile town blacksmith (Joe Roberts), who doubles as a car mechanic. When a misunderstanding has the excitable sheriff arrest the blacksmith, Buster takes over the shop and after a few customers he destroys the business. He gives a horsewoman the wrong saddle, another horsewoman, Virginia Fox, he allows the horse to pick out his own shoeand smears his oily hands all over the white horse, destroys a new Rolls Royce, and wrecks a car he’s fixing. To escape the fury of the released blacksmith and irate customers, Buster flees and catches up with Virginia Fox. The horsewoman ends up marrying the inept assistant.
REVIEWED ON 10/19/2011 GRADE: B
Dennis Schwartz: “Ozus’ World Movie Reviews”
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