See this is what i thought film class woulda been like in college (i went to community college....but still) the professor holding up movies that we probably have never heard of and talk about the history the plot and what he thinks are great about it and then show it to the classroom and we would debate it after with what we thought (like the youtube comments.) Great Video. Thank you.
According to James Curtis’ recent biography of Keaton, the reason Keaton disliked this film is that the story was originally a Broadway play that was bought by Keaton’s boss, Joe Schenck, without informing Keaton first and then presented to him as the next film he was going to make. Keaton hated the story since it was a farce, a form of entertainment he detested. But he accepted his marching orders and basically made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear by turning out a very imaginative film. It’s one of my favorite Keaton films.
Another great review, and more material to stoke my rediscovery of the brilliance of Buster Keaton. On a similar theme, and with risque gender stereotypes, is Siegmund Lubin's 1904 short, Meet Me At The Fountain. I have a sentimental fondness for Lubin's work, since his production company was based in my hometown of Philadelphia. Lubin's 1914 short, Back To The Farm marked the film debut of Oliver "Babe" Hardy. The rise of feminism as a theme in Seven Chances? It was the era during which the 19th amendment was passed, so inclusion as a sign of times makes sense to me. Also, were not women a force to be reckoned with in the early days of Hollywood (e.g. the Talmadge sisters)? Thank you for this review, and for shining a light on this much overlooked genius of early cinema.
Of course, Buster to the end of his life thought this was his worst film. It's royally dated by any standards, but somehow Will Smith succeeded with a remake. The chase scene is one of the best in cinema history, and Buster's touch works wonderfully throughout. Never really one of my favorites, but Seven Chances is still fun.
If you stop it at 5:28, Buster is just a blur in the air above the football scrimmage line. He cleared the whole standing defense line, and aaalmost cleared the offense line, you see the one guy looking at him and moving over. What an amazing athlete.
Does The Cameraman make your top 3 for Keaton? It's my favorite of his. Probably Sherlock Jr. and then Seven Chances round out my top 3, if I had to rank them.
I have seen it once and didn't like as it as much as his earlier ones. One Week, the General, The Navigator, Sherlock Jr and this one are probably my favorites, with the Goat and Cops being his best shorts.
Yes, there's the chase scene, which is obviously great. At the other end of the spectrum is the hat-check woman bit, which is brilliant in an entirely different way. Keaton was more than just the stunts.
Just a second, do we all notice at 5:28 there that Buster Keaton just leaped over the defensive line like it wasn't a thing? That was amazing.
See this is what i thought film class woulda been like in college (i went to community college....but still) the professor holding up movies that we probably have never heard of and talk about the history the plot and what he thinks are great about it and then show it to the classroom and we would debate it after with what we thought (like the youtube comments.) Great Video. Thank you.
According to James Curtis’ recent biography of Keaton, the reason Keaton disliked this film is that the story was originally a Broadway play that was bought by Keaton’s boss, Joe Schenck, without informing Keaton first and then presented to him as the next film he was going to make. Keaton hated the story since it was a farce, a form of entertainment he detested. But he accepted his marching orders and basically made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear by turning out a very imaginative film. It’s one of my favorite Keaton films.
great comment, very helpful. thank you.
I appreciate you are sharing silent films in your “ What Makes This Movie Great” series. 👍
thanks. labor of love!
interesting, i surely would have passed this up instead of several other Keatons i yet haven't seen, but i'll consider it now.
Another great review, and more material to stoke my rediscovery of the brilliance of Buster Keaton.
On a similar theme, and with risque gender stereotypes, is Siegmund Lubin's 1904 short, Meet Me At The Fountain. I have a sentimental fondness for Lubin's work, since his production company was based in my hometown of Philadelphia. Lubin's 1914 short, Back To The Farm marked the film debut of Oliver "Babe" Hardy.
The rise of feminism as a theme in Seven Chances? It was the era during which the 19th amendment was passed, so inclusion as a sign of times makes sense to me. Also, were not women a force to be reckoned with in the early days of Hollywood (e.g. the Talmadge sisters)?
Thank you for this review, and for shining a light on this much overlooked genius of early cinema.
you're welcome! thanks once again for a strong comment and for your support.
Of course, Buster to the end of his life thought this was his worst film. It's royally dated by any standards, but somehow Will Smith succeeded with a remake.
The chase scene is one of the best in cinema history, and Buster's touch works wonderfully throughout. Never really one of my favorites, but Seven Chances is still fun.
artists are never the greatest judges of their own work
@@LearningaboutMovies True indeed.
If you stop it at 5:28, Buster is just a blur in the air above the football scrimmage line. He cleared the whole standing defense line, and aaalmost cleared the offense line, you see the one guy looking at him and moving over. What an amazing athlete.
Could you do a review on the general and Sherlock jr next those are Keaton’s best
yes, absolutely.
Does The Cameraman make your top 3 for Keaton? It's my favorite of his. Probably Sherlock Jr. and then Seven Chances round out my top 3, if I had to rank them.
I have seen it once and didn't like as it as much as his earlier ones. One Week, the General, The Navigator, Sherlock Jr and this one are probably my favorites, with the Goat and Cops being his best shorts.
Yes, there's the chase scene, which is obviously great. At the other end of the spectrum is the hat-check woman bit, which is brilliant in an entirely different way. Keaton was more than just the stunts.
Great! But Sherlock jr.
I have not gotten to that film yet!
a doctor of what exactly, mr. matthews if i may ask?....a simple google search does not really provide any compelling results
I just found it in one second using Google. I have a website and info in all videos descriptions.