The 'High Sign' (1921)

A drifter at an amusement park finds himself both the bodyguard and hit man of a man targeted by a criminal gang.

Directors:

Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton

Writers:

Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton

Stars:

Buster Keaton, Bartine Burkett, Charles Dorety

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Buster Keaton	...	Our Hero (as 'Buster' Keaton)

Storyline

Buster is thrown off a train near an amusement park. There he gets a job in a shooting gallery run by the Blinking Buzzards mob. Ordered to kill a businessman, he winds up protecting the man and his daughter by outfitting their home with trick devices.

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Plot Keywords:

amusement park | drifter | shooting gallery | bodyguard | train | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 April 1921 (USA)

Also Known As:

El guardaespaldas

Filming Locations:

Venice Pier, Ocean Walk Front at Washington Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joseph M. Schenck Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

21 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Buster Keaton's first independent two-reeler. He didn't consider it to funny enough and had it shelved upon its completion in 1920. It was released the following year when his film output was slowed by a broken leg.

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Quotes

Leader of Buzzards: Do you know the nature of an oath?
Our Hero: Yes. I play golf.

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Connections

Referenced in The Popcorn of Doom (2003)

User Reviews

One of Keaton's funniest shorts

This Metro short is one of Keaton's most inspired. Two long sequences, involving respectively a shooting gallery and a house full of trap doors are the two outstanding items here, but it is full of inventiveness.

Gems include: the ever unfolding newspaper, the set up with the dog and bone to make the gong ring, painting a hook and then hanging his jacket and hat on it; and the minute long sequence told in full view of all rooms of a two story house with non stop action where Buster is chased through an ingenious series of false and trap doors. Although it only lasts a minute, this seems to go on wonderfully for much longer.

Totally inspired madness. Kino's print offers a full orchestral score and sound effects.

Don't miss this one.