Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Hard Luck (1921)

Hard Luck (1921) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 3 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   359 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Writers:
Edward F. Cline (writer)
Buster Keaton (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Hard Luck on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 March 1921 (USA) more
Genre:
Short | Comedy
Plot:
Out of work, Buster tries various ways to commit suicide. At last he tries "poison" from a bottle containing booze... more | add synopsis
User Comments:
Strange, Bizarre, Insane! more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Buster Keaton ... Suicidal Boy
Virginia Fox ... Virginia
Joe Roberts ... Lizard Lip Luke
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
USA:22 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Silent

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:
Featured in Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (1987) (TV) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
10 out of 13 people found the following comment useful:-
Strange, Bizarre, Insane!, 2 September 2006
8/10
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States

This was an odd Buster Keaton in that the story totally changed directions multiple times, out of nowhere. The strange 22-minute movie begins with Buster trying to kill himself in various forms. Obviously, he doesn't succeed and the reasons why are funny. It may morbid to some but I found this part very clever and the best part of the film.

All of sudden, he's obtained the job of hunting for an armadillo for a local zoo and while he's doing that, he winds up in a country club where they are having a fox hunt. There are numerous sight gags involving Buster trying to mount the horse, many times while the horse is moving.

Later, some gigantic outlaw, "Lizard Lip Luke," and his gang appear and are robbing this place where Keaton and a girl he likes are located, and our hero, thanks to some inventive thinking, gets rid of the gang. He thinks that entitles him to marry the girl but she tells him, "I'm already married." Huh?

Then the movie ends on a really bizarre note as Buster ambles over to a nearby swimming pool and climbs the ladder to perform a high dive. Unfortunately we don't see much of this scene because most of the footage has been lost forever. However, Kino Video, which put this long-lost film on DVD, is nice to explain in advance - and during that last scene - what we missed.

I can see where some people might label this an "unven" Keaton short, since the story is so disjointed, but that's part of the charm: you never know what's coming next. There are some really unique sight gags in here - strange even for silent comedies. This film is pure insanity!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Hard Luck (1921)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Balloonatic The 'High Sign' Daydreams The Frozen North One Week
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Short section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.