The Scarecrow (1920)

Two inventive farmhands compete for the hand of the same girl.

Directors:

Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton

Writers:

Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline

Stars:

Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline, Luke the Dog

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Buster Keaton	...	Farmhand (as 'Buster' Keaton)

Storyline

Farmhands Keaton and Roberts share a cottage full of mechanical devices for making life easy. They are rivals for the farmer's daughter. Keaton , disguised as a scarecrow, causes troubles for his rival and the farmer. When Keaton stoops to tie his shoe, the girl accepts what she thinks is his kneeling proposal.

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Plot Keywords:

farmer | scarecrow | motorcycle | toothache | horse | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Short | Family

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1920 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fågelskrämman

Filming Locations:

618 Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joseph M. Schenck Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

19 min 19 min (1995 Film Preservation print)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Keaton, being chased by a dog, jumps into a large pile of straw. Shortly after that, there's a noticeable cut because a substantial amount of straw is missing from the middle after the edit.

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Quotes

Farmhand: I don't care how she votes, I'm going to marry her!

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Connections

Featured in After Midnight (2004)

User Reviews

This Scarecrow had the smarts.

Story of two farmhand roommates, living in a flat that only Rube Goldberg could have come up with, who are vying for the attention of the farmer's daughter, while Buster's character has to fend off his roommate (Joe Roberts looking very much like Fatty Arbuckle), the girl's father, and father's dog (which actually belonged to Arbuckle). That's pretty much the plot, but the sightgags are what make the short really work. The breakfast scene, with the aforementioned Goldberg setting, is pure genius. A very good production all around and ranks as one of Keaton's best. Rating, based on shorts, 10.