Doughboys
"Buster's in the Army Now!"
Plot
Elmer Stuyvesant, a wealthy and pampered socialite, attempts to hire a new chauffeur but accidentally signs enlistment papers for the United States Army during World War I. His motivation for staying in the service shifts when he encounters Mary, a beautiful girl he had previously met, who has joined the war effort as an entertainer for the troops. Elmer finds himself under the command of Sergeant Brophy, a tough-as-nails career soldier who becomes his romantic rival for Mary's affections. As the unit is shipped off to the trenches of France, Elmer must navigate the absurdities of military life, his own incompetence as a soldier, and the constant threat of enemy fire. The climax involves Elmer accidentally wandering into no-man's land and inadvertently becoming a hero through a series of slapstick maneuvers that help his battalion capture a German stronghold.
About the Production
This was Buster Keaton's second 'talkie' and marked a significant transition in his career under the MGM studio system. Unlike his independent silent films, Keaton had to work from a rigid script, though director Edward Sedgwick allowed him some room for physical improvisation. The film was shot simultaneously in multiple languages (Spanish, French, and German) to cater to international markets, with Keaton phonetically learning his lines for the foreign versions titled 'De frente, marchen' and 'Wir schalten um auf Hollywood'.
Historical Background
Released in 1930, 'Doughboys' arrived during the early years of the Great Depression and the 'Pre-Code' era of Hollywood. It also came during a wave of World War I nostalgia and reflection, following serious dramas like 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (1930). The film provided a comedic counterpoint to the grim realities of war that were being explored in literature and cinema at the time, allowing audiences to laugh at a conflict that had ended only twelve years prior.
Why This Film Matters
The film is a primary example of the 'MGM-era' Keaton, which is often debated by film historians. While it lacks the total creative control of his 1920s masterpieces like 'The General', it demonstrates how a silent film icon adapted his physical comedy to the requirements of the 'Talkies'. It also solidified the 'mismatched buddies' trope in military comedies, a formula that would be used for decades by acts like Abbott and Costello and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
Making Of
The production was characterized by the tension between Buster Keaton's improvisational genius and MGM's desire for structured, dialogue-heavy scripts. Director Edward Sedgwick, a close friend of Keaton, acted as a buffer between the star and the studio heads. Keaton reportedly spent much of his downtime on set playing baseball with the crew, a lifelong passion that often distracted him from the rigid shooting schedules. The film also utilized early sound-on-film technology, which required the actors to stay close to hidden microphones, somewhat limiting the expansive physical movements Keaton was known for in the silent era.
Visual Style
The cinematography is functional and typical of early sound films, utilizing static shots to accommodate the bulky sound equipment. However, the outdoor 'trench' sequences feature some impressive tracking shots that give a sense of the scale of the battlefield, and the lighting in the nighttime sequences in France is notably atmospheric for a comedy.
Innovations
The most significant technical achievement was the 'Multi-Language Version' (MLV) production process. Before dubbing became standard, MGM had Keaton film the same scenes multiple times, speaking his lines phonetically in Spanish and German to ensure the film could be sold globally without losing the star's voice.
Music
The soundtrack features several musical numbers performed by Cliff Edwards on the ukulele, including 'Sing (It's Good for Ya)'. The use of sound effects for comedic timing—such as whistles, explosions, and the clatter of mess kits—was innovative for 1930 and helped bridge the gap between silent slapstick and sound comedy.
Famous Quotes
Sergeant Brophy: 'What's your name?' Elmer: 'Elmer. What's yours?'
Elmer: 'I didn't want to join the army, I just wanted a chauffeur!'
Sergeant Brophy: 'You're in the army now, not a country club!'
Memorable Scenes
- The enlistment scene where Elmer accidentally signs his life away while trying to complain about his car.
- The 'Left-Right' drill sequence where Elmer's inability to follow simple commands leads to a chaotic pile-up of soldiers.
- The scene where Elmer tries to cook a meal in the trenches using a variety of non-edible military supplies.
- The climactic sequence where Elmer uses a series of wine bottles and a player piano to distract and capture German soldiers.
Did You Know?
- Buster Keaton was actually a veteran of World War I in real life, having served in the 40th Infantry Division in France, which added a layer of personal irony to his performance.
- The film's title 'Doughboys' was a popular slang term for American infantrymen during World War I.
- Cliff Edwards, who plays 'Porky', was a famous ukulele player known as 'Ukulele Ike' and later became the voice of Jiminy Cricket in Disney's Pinocchio.
- The film features a rare moment where Buster Keaton smiles on camera, a departure from his 'Great Stone Face' persona, though it was done in a mocking context.
- MGM executives were reportedly thrilled with the film's financial success, which outperformed many of their more prestigious dramas that year.
- The 'Spanish' version of the film featured a different supporting cast but kept Keaton as the lead.
- During the mess hall scene, the physical comedy involving the tray was a routine Keaton had perfected during his years in Vaudeville.
- The film was one of the top-grossing comedies of 1930, proving that Keaton could still draw a massive audience in the sound era.
- Keaton's character name, Elmer, was a name he frequently used for his more 'hapless' personas in the early 1930s.
- The trench sets were considered quite elaborate for a comedy and were reused in other MGM war productions.
What Critics Said
At the time of release, Variety praised the film as a 'riotous laugh-maker' and noted that Keaton's voice translated well to the screen. Modern critics are more divided; many appreciate the film as one of Keaton's best sound efforts, while purists lament the loss of his silent-era autonomy. However, the 'cannonball' and 'drill' sequences are still cited as masterclasses in physical timing.
What Audiences Thought
The film was a massive hit with 1930s audiences, who were eager to see how the 'Great Stone Face' would handle dialogue. It was one of the most profitable films of the year for MGM, particularly in the Midwestern United States and in international markets where the multi-language versions were screened.
Awards & Recognition
- Photoplay Magazine Medal of Honor (Nominated/Shortlisted)
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The Big Parade (1925)
- Shoulder Arms (1918)
- Vaudeville slapstick traditions
This Film Influenced
- Buck Privates (1941)
- At War with the Army (1950)
- Stripes (1981)
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Film Restoration
The film is well-preserved and exists in its entirety. It has been released on DVD and Blu-ray as part of various Buster Keaton collections by Warner Archive and other specialty labels.