Our Hospitality/Sherlock Jr Details

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A Truly Classic Double

'Our Hospitality' (1923) concerns a feud between two Southern families that has been going on for so many years that the reason for the feud has been lost to the mists of time. After the prologue, some twenty years have passed and Keaton (the only son of one of the two families),is living in New York. However, on hearing that his father's estate must be laid-claim he returns to his birthplace. Around twenty minutes are taken up with Keaton's journey on an early train (clearly road-testing stunts that will be expanded and improved for 'The General', four years later). On-route Keaton meets a young girl who is also returning to her homestead and of course -unbeknownst to him- she is the daughter of the other family involved in the feud. The device for getting Keaton back to his hometown is just that; after watching the old house begin to collapse leaving Keaton nothing, the real plot kicks in. The young lady has invited Keaton over and unaware of his true identity, the girl's father states that he is happy to show her young beau his 'hospitality'. Once Keaton is at the house and the truth is revealed to all but the girl an hilarious sequence begins. The Father and his sons will not harm Keaton in their house because he is their guest but the moment he crosses the thresh-hold they have their guns at the ready. Once out of the house, begins one of the most famous (and now cliched) stunts in film. Keaton makes his getaway on a boat which is heading toward a waterfall. He manages to grab a branch and scramble his way to safety but to wtach the event is phenomenally impressive. Then, just as the 20s audience caught their breath the girl of course had to begin heading down-river to certain death. The stunt that sees Keaton save the girl has superbly executed timing and truly demonstrates his agility. This wonderful film is film second only to 'The General' in Keaton's catalogue and a true American silent film great. 'Sherlock Jr' (1924) is a very experimental film. Some of the effects are amazing, in particular one which sees characters walking out of a cinema projection screen and Keaton's stunt-ride on a bicycle is quite thrilling. This was the shortest film that Keaton made and it is an intriguing gem. Well worth a look.