The Frozen North (1922)

Buster plays a bumbling villain in this parody of melodrama.

Directors:

Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton

Writers:

Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton

Stars:

Buster Keaton, Joe Roberts, Sybil Seely

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Buster Keaton	...	The Bad Man
Joe Roberts	...	The Driver
Sybil Seely	...	The Wife
Bonnie Hill	...	The Pretty Neighbor
Freeman Wood	...	The Neighbor's Husband
Edward F. Cline	...	The Janitor

Storyline

This satirical parody of William S. Hart's melodramatic films finds Buster in the frozen north, "last stop on the subway." He uses a wanted poster as his partner in robbing a gambling house. When he thinks he spies his wife making love to another man he shoots them both only to learn it isn't his cabin after all.

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Plot Keywords:

silent film | physical comedy | keep off the grass sign | written and directed by cast member | alaska | 

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Genres:

Short | Comedy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1922 (USA)

Also Known As:

A fagyos észak

Filming Locations:

Truckee, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

First National Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

17 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Keaton actually satirizes two of his famous contemporaries in this short: William S. Hart, of course, but also 'Erich Von Stroheim'. Near the end of the film, his female "victim" briefly visualizes Keaton dressed in the kind of elaborate, middle-European dress uniform (complete with monocle) favored by Von Stroheim during his "man-you-love-to-hate" phase.

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Goofs

Knife is pulled twice on The Bad Man in the fight at the end of the film.

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Connections

Spoofs Foolish Wives (1922)

User Reviews

One for silent movie buffs

I like this movie, even if it isn't one of his best. We liked 'Bad' Buster simply because it went against the grain. It has lots of clever ideas and tons of references to the movies of the day, the scene where a tear trickles melodramatically down his cheek is a dig at William S Hart,a western actor who always seemed to have a scene where he cried, Hart didn't find the joke funny even if the audiences of the day did. If you are into silent movies then this film will hit it's mark, but, it's enjoyable anyway.