The Play House (1921)

After waking up from his wacky dream, a theater stage hand inadvertently causes havoc everywhere he works.

Directors:

Edward F. Cline (as Eddie Cline), Buster Keaton (as 'Buster' Keaton)

Writers:

Buster Keaton (as 'Buster' Keaton), Edward F. Cline (as Eddie Cline)

Stars:

Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline, Monte Collins

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Buster Keaton	...	Audience / Orchestra / Mr. Brown - First Minstrel / Second Minstrel / Stagehand (as 'Buster' Keaton)

Storyline

Portraying more than twenty characters at once--including lively stage actors, an attentive audience, an orchestra, and an entire nine-member minstrel act--Buster Keaton pushes the boundaries of technical artistry and film trickery, in a time when effects really were special. With this in mind--after waking up from a delightful vaudeville dream sequence--Buster realises that he still is the play house's humble general factotum, and he must keep the show up and running amid delusion and disorder, identical twin sisters, Zouave guards, and a rampant orangutan on the loose. But, can a mere gopher yearn for recognition, and perhaps, love?

---

Plot Keywords:

stage | dream | mirror | surrealism | dream sequence | 

---

Genres:

Short | Comedy | Fantasy

---

Details

Country:

USA

Release Date:

6 October 1921 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Playhouse

Company Credits

Production Co:

Joseph M. Schenck Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

23 min 20 min (DVD) 23 min (1995 Film Preservation Associates print)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Buster Keaton used a hand double in the shot where he writes, to avoid showing his right hand with the missing index fingertip.

---

Goofs

Elegant Elderly Lady Buster Keaton is wearing long evening gloves, but when she reaches down to pick the lollipop off her lap, she is not wearing gloves.

---

Quotes

Presenter of "The Mermaids": This young lady can stay under water longer than the bottom of a river.

---

Connections

Featured in Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (1987)

User Reviews

Welcome to the Buster Keaton Show

For some reason, I find the Buster Keaton features such as "the General" and "Steamboat Bill Jr." to be well-made, yet lacking in the explosive laughter I would expect. His short films however, pack a punch with comedy. "The Playhouse" is his best work ever - a showcase of his versatility and unparalleled comedic techniques. Any musician watching his clarinet technique (gnawing on the mouthpiece) can't help but hit the floor when they watch the opening orchestra scene. Likewise, the variety of audience members he plays, this is amazing. I can't help but wonder... how long (given makeup and costumes) did this one scene take to film? There are also more Warner Brothers cartoon foreshadowing in this than most other films I've seen. For a true short film masterpiece, see this film.