Out West (1918 film)
| Out West | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle |
| Written by | Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle Natalie Talmadge (story) |
| Produced by | Joseph M. Schenck |
| Starring | Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle Buster Keaton Al St. John Alice Lake Joe Keaton |
| Cinematography | George Peters |
| Edited by | Herbert Warren |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 25 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent film English (original intertitles) |
Out West is a 1918 American short comedy film, a satire on contemporary westerns, starring Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, and Al St. John. It was the first of Arbuckle's "Comique" films to be filmed on the west coast, the previous five having been filmed in and around New York City. The idea for the story came from Natalie Talmadge, who was later to become Keaton's first wife. The film contains racial stereotypes and attitudes, including a scene in which a gang of rowdy cowboys make a black man, played by Ernie Morrison Sr., dance by shooting at his feet.
Plot
The story involves Arbuckle coming to the western town of Mad Dog Gulch (which the intertitles call "the toughest town in the movies") after being thrown off a train and chased by Indians. He teams up with gambler/saloon owner Bill Bullhorn (Keaton), in trying to keep the evil Wild Bill Hickup (Al St. John) away from Salvation Army girl, Salvation Sue (Alice Lake). Fatty and Buster have a series of adventures trying to beat St. John, until they discover his one weakness: his ticklishness.
Cast
- Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle as Train Rider, Bartender
- Buster Keaton as Sheriff, saloon owner
- Al St. John as Wild Bill Hickup
- Alice Lake as Salvation Army Woman
- Joe Keaton as Man on train
- Ernie Morrison Sr.
Reception
Like many American films of the time, Out West was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors required a cut of the scene of arrows in man's back and their removal, man burning back with gas flames, and the shooting of the bartender.[1]
Critical response
Variety gave the film a positive review in its January 25, 1918 issue, saying it "hits a better comedy tempo than any of his [Arbuckle's] recent productions." Keaton's comic tumbles were singled out for praise, as was Arbuckle's direction of the film: "Good camera work aids the comedy."
See also
References
- ^ "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (7). New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company: 29. February 9, 1918.
- "Out West" (film review) in Variety Weekly. January 25, 1918.
External links
- The short film Out West is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.
- Out West at IMDb
- Out West at AllMovie
- Out West on YouTube
- Out West at the International Buster Keaton Society