Cops (1922)

A series of mishaps manages to make a young man get chased by a big city's entire police force.

Directors:

Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton

Writers:

Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline

Stars:

Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline, Virginia Fox

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Buster Keaton	...	The Young Man (as 'Buster' Keaton)

Storyline

Through a series of mistaken identities Buster winds up with a load of furniture in the middle of parade of policemen. An anarchist's bomb lands in his carriage. After lighting his cigarette with it, he tosses it into the ranks of police. When it explodes the police chase him all over town.

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Plot Keywords:

police | anarchist | chase | parade | furniture | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy | Family

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1922 (USA)

Also Known As:

Buster ja poliisiparaati

Filming Locations:

Arden Villa - 1145 Arden Road, Pasadena, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joseph M. Schenck Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

22 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A "goat gland specialist" was a quack who purported to treat erectile dysfunction with goat glands.

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Quotes

Opening title: [first line] Love laughs at locksmiths - Houdini

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Crazy Credits

The "THE END" text appears on a tombstone, which has Keaton's signature pork pie hat on top.

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Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons Movie (2007)

User Reviews

Keaton's Physical Prowess Was Awesome

What struck me most about this famous Buster Keaton short was not the overall entertainment value or the big chase scene at the end, but Keaton's amazing strength and physical prowess! This guy was incredible. He must have been an extremely strong, little man, an athlete with muscles like an Olympic gymnast. His feats on the ladder in this film show what I'm talking about here. He didn't use doubles in his films; this guy had not only comedic talent but astonishing physical strength and coordination.

As for the film overall, it was okay but not as super as I had hoped after reading a number of reviews saying this could be Keaton's best. Up to the last quarter of the film, nothing much happened. Virginia Fox, who I like, got second billing but her role was very minor in here.

The last five minutes of this two-reeler involve the famous chase scene where up to 100 cops wind up pursuing our hero. It was that kind of a day for "The Young Man" (Buster) when nothing, but nothing, went right for him!