Neighbors

Plot

In this comedic reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, Buster Keaton plays 'The Boy' who lives in one tenement building and falls in love with 'The Girl' (Virginia Fox) living in the adjacent building. Their families are engaged in a bitter feud that manifests as constant battles across the fence separating their properties. Despite their parents' animosity, the young lovers attempt to meet secretly, leading to a series of hilarious mishaps and acrobatic stunts. The conflict escalates when both families discover the romance, culminating in a chaotic chase sequence throughout the tenement buildings. The film concludes with the young couple finally uniting, suggesting that love can overcome even the most entrenched family rivalries.

Historical Background

Neighbors was released in 1920, during the golden age of silent comedy and just as American cinema was establishing itself as a dominant cultural force. The film emerged post-World War I when audiences were eager for entertainment that could help them forget the hardships of the war years. The tenement setting reflected the urbanization of America and the immigrant experience in major cities, making the film relatable to many contemporary viewers. This period also saw the rise of the feature film, though Keaton continued to perfect his craft in shorts before transitioning to features. The film's Romeo and Juliet theme tapped into a cultural familiarity with classic literature while presenting it in a modern, accessible format for working-class audiences.

Making Of

Neighbors was produced during a prolific period in Buster Keaton's career when he was establishing his independence as a filmmaker. The collaboration between Keaton and director Edward F. Cline was particularly fruitful, with Cline understanding how to capture Keaton's unique physical comedy style. The tenement setting allowed Keaton to explore vertical space in his gags, something that would become a signature element of his work. The production team built elaborate two-story sets that could withstand Keaton's athletic performances. The fence between the buildings became a central comedic device, with Keaton and the stunt team engineering various ways to use it for physical comedy. Virginia Fox, who played the female lead, was not only a talented actress but also capable of performing her own light stunts, which added to the film's authenticity.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Elgin Lessley featured innovative camera angles to capture the vertical comedy between the two tenement buildings. The film used wide shots to establish the physical space and allow audiences to appreciate the full scope of Keaton's stunts. The camera work emphasized the architectural elements of the sets, using the fence and building facades as framing devices. The photography maintained clarity during fast-paced action sequences, a technical achievement for the period. The lighting was naturalistic, suggesting the authentic feel of urban tenement life.

Innovations

Neighbors featured innovative set design that allowed for complex vertical comedy, with the two tenement buildings constructed to facilitate Keaton's acrobatic stunts. The fence mechanism was engineered to support various gags while maintaining the illusion of a simple barrier. The film demonstrated Keaton's mastery of spatial comedy, using depth and height to create visual humor. The production employed innovative camera techniques to capture the action across multiple levels of the sets. The stunts performed were technically demanding and required precise timing between Keaton, the supporting actors, and the camera.

Music

As a silent film, Neighbors would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. The typical score would have included popular songs of the era, classical pieces adapted for comedic effect, and original improvisation by the theater's pianist or organist. Modern restorations often feature newly composed scores by silent film specialists who create music that enhances the film's comedic timing and emotional beats. The rhythm of Keaton's physical comedy lends itself particularly well to musical accompaniment.

Memorable Scenes

• The fence sequence where Keaton attempts to cross between buildings using various comedic methods, including walking along the top and using it as a tightrope.
• The climactic chase scene where characters move between windows, fire escapes, and rooftops in a perfectly synchronized ballet of chaos.
• Keaton's innovative use of a clothesline as a means of transportation between the two buildings.
• The opening sequence establishing the feud between the two families through increasingly elaborate acts of vandalism across the fence.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised Neighbors for its inventive gags and Keaton's athletic performance. The trade papers of the era noted the film's clever use of space and the chemistry between Keaton and Fox. Modern critics recognize the film as an important early work that showcases Keaton developing his signature style. Film historians often point to Neighbors as an example of Keaton's ability to create comedy through architectural design and physical precision. The film is frequently cited in studies of silent comedy as a perfect example of how to structure a short comedy film with escalating stakes and satisfying resolution.

What Audiences Thought

Neighbors was well-received by audiences upon its release, who appreciated Keaton's increasingly sophisticated approach to physical comedy. The film's relatable setting of feuding neighbors resonated with urban audiences of the time. The Romeo and Juliet elements provided a familiar framework that helped audiences follow the story despite the lack of dialogue. Modern audiences continue to enjoy the film, with its timeless themes of young love overcoming parental opposition and its spectacular physical comedy that requires no translation across decades.

You Might Also Like