weezeralfalfa Review of The Butcher Boy

The Butcher Boy (1917)

Buster Keaton's initial film appearance, as subserviant to Roscoe Arbuckle's starring role

[8/10 · 27 August 2018]

The first of 14 2 reel comedy shorts featuring Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle and Buster Keaton. Most also featured Al St. John, usually as Roscoe's nemesis. As in this film, Keaton didn't always form a functional pair with Roscoe. In fact, Keaton and Al interact more here. This film differs from most other films in this series(that I have seen). Most obviously, the action is accompanied by appropriate music, whereas the others I have seen are truly silent. Secondly, there are quite numerous explanatory placards sprinkled throughout, whereas in other films, placards are sparse. Sometimes, the placards aren't really necessary for understanding...... Keaton makes his first appearance as a customer in the general store where Roscoe and Al are employees. He does some acrobatics with the floor brooms. Then, he notices a bit of molasses on the floor under the spigot to the molasses keg. He likes its taste, so orders Roscoe to partially fill a small bucket he found. Unfortunately, Roscoe didn't notice that Keaton had placed his coin for payment in the bucket. Thus, Roscoe must try to retrieve the coin. After fishing for it doesn't work, while Keaton is looking around the store, Roscoe pours the molasses into Keaton's signature flattened pork pie hat, he left on the counter. He finds the sticky coin, and pours the molasses back into the bucket. Strangely, Keaton doesn't notice the residue when he puts his hat on, but does soon notice a strange sensation. He drops the bucket of molasses, which runs on the floor. Soon, he has his shoe stuck in it. Roscoe tries to help get it unstuck, to no avail, until he gets the idea of pouring the contents of a boiling kettle on and around the shoe. Of course, this scalds the foot, but the shoe is soon dislodged, as Keaton's pulling motion carries him sprawling out the door.......I noticed that Roscoe rolled a cigarette with one hand: not an easy trick......Roscoe and Amanda: the owner's daughter, flirt in the store. Al returns from a delivery, and sees this. He gets mad. Roscoe throws a small bag of flour at Al, hitting him in the face. He throws another. A direct hit. Now, Al is white from head to toe. Keaton happens to return just then, and accidentally gets the next one in the face. Keaton wildly swings a broom around, but misses, and they fight some more.....Amanda takes a car to Mrs. Teachem's boarding school for girls. Later, Amanda is sad that she hasn't received a letter from Roscoe. She goes outside and cries. Roscoe, disguised as a big girl, with a big white bow, and long curls, encounters Amanda, and suggests he apply to be enrolled in the school. His big baby face made him a natural as a plump tall girl. This he succeeds in. However, soon, Al also gets this idea and also succeeds in being enrolled. Soon, Al has Keaton and another sneak in a window, as accomplices in an attempt to kidnap Amanda. During the attempt, Roscoe hears the commotion, and enters the room. Pandemonium ensues, with much jumping on and off beds and pillow fighting. To heighten the scene of chaos, Amanda's room suddenly has multiple beds and roommates, who also get involved. Also, Luke the dog is confused and barking in the hall. Al is exposed as a fraud, as his costume comes off. The principal holds a gun on Keaton and his companion, when they seek safety in her room. Roscoe and Amanda run out the window, instructing Luke to stay and discourage any followers.