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Out West (1918 film)
Encyclopedia
Out West is a 1918 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 story involves Arbuckle coming to the western town of Mad Dog Gulch (which the intertitle
s 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.
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."
Fatty Arbuckle
Roscoe Conkling "Fatty" Arbuckle was an American silent film actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter. Starting at the Selig Polyscope Company he eventually moved to Keystone Studios where he worked with Mabel Normand and Harold Lloyd...
, Buster Keaton
Buster Keaton
Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face".Keaton was recognized as the...
, 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
Natalie Talmadge
Natalie Talmadge was an occasional silent film actress who was more well-known as the sister of her movie star siblings Norma and Constance Talmadge until her marriage to silent film actor and comedian Buster Keaton....
, who was later to become Keaton's first wife.
Plot
Intertitle
In motion pictures, an intertitle is a piece of filmed, printed text edited into the midst of the photographed action, at various points, generally to convey character dialogue, or descriptive narrative material related to, but not necessarily covered by, the material photographed.Intertitles...
s 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
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
girl, Salvation Sue (Alice Lake
Alice Lake
Alice Lake was an American film actress. She began her career during the silent film era and often appeared in comedy shorts opposite Roscoe Arbuckle.-Career:...
). 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 - Train Rider, Bartender
- Buster KeatonBuster KeatonJoseph Frank "Buster" Keaton was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face".Keaton was recognized as the...
- Sheriff, saloon owner - Al St. JohnAlfred St. JohnAl St. John in his persona of Fuzzy Q. Jones basically defined the role and concept of "comical sidekick" to cowboy heroes from 1930 to 1951. St...
- Wild Bill Hickup - Alice LakeAlice LakeAlice Lake was an American film actress. She began her career during the silent film era and often appeared in comedy shorts opposite Roscoe Arbuckle.-Career:...
- Salvation Army Woman - Joe KeatonJoe KeatonJoe Keaton was an American vaudeville performer and silent film actor. He was the father of actor Buster Keaton.-Information:...
- Man on train - Ernie Morrison Sr.
Critical response
VarietyVariety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
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
- List of American films of 1918
- Fatty Arbuckle filmographyFatty Arbuckle filmographyThese are the films of Roscoe Arbuckle. Films marked with a diamond were directed by and featured Arbuckle. He used the name William Goodrich on the films he directed from 1924 onwards.----...
- Buster Keaton filmographyBuster Keaton filmography- Starring Roscoe Arbuckle, featuring Buster Keaton :- Starring Buster Keaton :- Starring Buster Keaton, for Educational Pictures :- Starring Buster Keaton, for Columbia Pictures :- Starring Buster Keaton, for independent producers :...