{"id":23902,"date":"2012-02-08T23:13:56","date_gmt":"2012-02-09T06:13:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=23902"},"modified":"2020-12-25T18:28:15","modified_gmt":"2020-12-26T01:28:15","slug":"battling-butler-1926","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=23902","title":{"rendered":"Battling Butler (1926)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;That jellyfish couldn&#8217;t take care of himself &#8212; let alone a wife.&#8221; <\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Poster-190x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"190\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-23903\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Poster-190x300.jpg 190w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Poster-81x128.jpg 81w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhile camping with his enabling butler (Snitz Edwards), a wealthy milquetoast (Buster Keaton) falls in love with a &#8220;mountain girl&#8221; (Sally O&#8217;Neill) who comes to believe he&#8217;s a champion prizefighter (Francis McDonald) with the same name.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Boxing<\/li>\n<li>Buster Keaton Films<\/li>\n<li>Comedy<\/li>\n<li>Mistaken or Hidden Identities<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptation<\/li>\n<li>Silent Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nWidely considered one of the &#8220;least&#8221; of Buster Keaton&#8217;s films (primarily because it&#8217;s based on a play rather than an original cinematic conceit), this nonetheless remains an enjoyable treat for silent comedy fans. Keaton, as always, is at the top of his game, consistently delighting us with one visual gag after the other: Alfred (Keaton) finding no animals available to hunt in a forest literally teeming with critters: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Hunting2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Hunting2-1024x769.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"481\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-59520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Hunting2-1024x769.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Hunting2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Hunting2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Hunting2-768x577.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Hunting2-359x270.png 359w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Hunting2.png 1239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; Alfred&#8217;s table sinking in the mud as he romances his new love interest: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-Sinking.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-Sinking-1024x764.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"478\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-59521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-Sinking-1024x764.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-Sinking-300x224.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-Sinking-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-Sinking-768x573.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-Sinking-362x270.png 362w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-Sinking.png 1239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; Alfred&#8217;s wild attempts at faux-boxing with a disheartened trainer.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Faux-Fighting.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Faux-Fighting-1024x766.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"479\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-59523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Faux-Fighting-1024x766.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Faux-Fighting-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Faux-Fighting-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Faux-Fighting-768x575.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Faux-Fighting-361x270.png 361w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Faux-Fighting.png 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been noted that Keaton was actually too physically dexterous (check out his muscles!) to be convincing as a weakling, but this simply makes his slapstick maneuvers all that much more impressive. Meanwhile, it&#8217;s refreshing to note that Keaton&#8217;s character originally intends to tell his girl the truth, but literally gets sucked into marriage before he can say a word; his deception thereafter is simply meant to save face in front of the love of his life, and one can&#8217;t really fault him for that. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Romance.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Romance-1024x768.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-59524\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Romance-1024x768.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Romance-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Romance-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Romance-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Romance-360x270.png 360w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Romance.png 1242w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> If you decide to check out the original <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1926\/08\/23\/archives\/the-screen-mr-keaton-again.html\"><em>New York Times<\/em> review<\/a>, be sure to read all the way to the end, where you&#8217;ll find a giggle-worthy final line advertising an accompanying short. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The amusing opening scenes<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Tent.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Tent.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23906\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Tent.png 512w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Tent-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Tent-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Some fun visual\/physical gags<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23905\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table.png 512w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Table-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Ring.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Ring.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"384\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-23904\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Ring.png 512w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Ring-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/Battling-Butler-Ring-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but like so many of Keaton&#8217;s films (even his &#8220;lesser&#8221; titles), it&#8217;s recommended. Listed as a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0016630\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1926\/08\/23\/archives\/the-screen-mr-keaton-again.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s3667bust.html\">DVD Savant Review (scroll down to second review)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;That jellyfish couldn&#8217;t take care of himself &#8212; let alone a wife.&#8221; Synopsis: While camping with his enabling butler (Snitz Edwards), a wealthy milquetoast (Buster Keaton) falls in love with a &#8220;mountain girl&#8221; (Sally O&#8217;Neill) who comes to believe he&#8217;s a champion prizefighter (Francis McDonald) with the same name. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Boxing Buster Keaton Films Comedy Mistaken or Hidden Identities Play Adaptation Silent Films Review: Widely considered one of the &#8220;least&#8221; of Buster Keaton&#8217;s films (primarily because&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=23902\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23902"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23902\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59525,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23902\/revisions\/59525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}