The Butcher Boy

Plot

In this silent comedy short, Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle works as a butcher in a general store where chaos and comedy ensue among the customers and staff. The film follows Arbuckle as he deals with various mishaps, including emerging from a freezer wearing a fur coat and performing impressive cleaver tossing tricks. Buster Keaton makes his memorable film debut as a customer who purchases a pail of molasses, leading to classic slapstick situations. The narrative builds through a series of comedic vignettes in the store, culminating in a chase sequence involving Arbuckle, Keaton, and Al St. John. The film showcases the physical comedy talents that would make these performers legends of silent cinema.

Historical Background

The film was produced during World War I, a time when American audiences were increasingly turning to movies for escapism and entertainment. 1917 was a transitional year in cinema, as feature films were beginning to dominate over shorts, but comedy shorts remained extremely popular. The film industry was centered in Hollywood, with studios like Keystone, where Arbuckle had learned his craft, establishing the template for film comedy. The United States was about to enter WWI in April 1917, just a month after this film's release, which would soon affect film production and themes. This period also saw the rise of the star system, with performers like Arbuckle becoming major box office draws.

Making Of

The making of 'The Butcher Boy' represents a pivotal moment in comedy history. Arbuckle had just formed his own production company, Comique Film Corporation, giving him unprecedented creative control. He discovered Buster Keaton when he saw him performing in vaudeville at the Tivoli Theatre in New York. Keaton was initially hesitant to leave his successful stage career, but Arbuckle convinced him by offering $40 per week. The chemistry between the two comedians was immediate, and Arbuckle recognized Keaton's unique stone-faced persona as a perfect complement to his own more expressive style. The film was shot quickly, but Arbuckle insisted on multiple takes to perfect the physical gags, particularly the cleaver tossing sequence which required precise timing and coordination.

Visual Style

The cinematography, credited to George Peters, employs the straightforward approach typical of comedy shorts of the era, with wide shots to capture the full range of physical action. The camera work emphasizes clarity and visibility of the gags, with medium shots used for the character interactions and close-ups reserved for reaction shots, particularly Keaton's famous stone-faced expressions. The general store setting allowed for multiple levels of action, with the cinematography taking advantage of the vertical space for various comedic situations. The lighting is bright and even, ensuring that all the physical comedy is clearly visible to the audience.

Innovations

While not technically groundbreaking, the film demonstrates sophisticated use of the two-reel format to develop character and comedy beyond simple gag sequences. The cleaver tossing sequence showcases impressive practical stunt work without special effects. The film makes effective use of the general store set to create multiple comedic situations simultaneously, demonstrating advanced spatial awareness in comedy staging. The pacing of the gags and the integration of Keaton's character into the established Arbuckle format represents an achievement in comedy construction and character development.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Butcher Boy' would have been accompanied by live music in theaters, typically piano or organ. The original score would have been compiled from popular musical pieces of the era, with faster tempos for chase sequences and more playful melodies for the general store scenes. Modern restorations have been accompanied by newly composed scores, including a notable 2015 restoration with music by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, which uses authentic period-appropriate selections to recreate the original theatrical experience.

Memorable Scenes

• Arbuckle emerging from the freezer wearing a fur coat and frost-covered face
• The elaborate cleaver tossing sequence where Arbuckle juggles multiple cleavers with increasing complexity
• Buster Keaton's debut scene buying molasses and the subsequent sticky situation
• The chase sequence through the general store involving all three main characters
• The final confrontation scene with Arbuckle, Keaton, and Al St. John creating escalating chaos

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film for its inventive gags and the fresh comedic pairing of Arbuckle and Keaton. Variety noted the 'originality and freshness' of the comedy, while Moving Picture World highlighted Arbuckle's 'masterful physical comedy.' Modern critics view the film as a landmark in comedy history, with the British Film Institute calling it 'essential viewing for understanding the evolution of American slapstick.' The film is now regarded as one of the most important comedy shorts of the silent era, particularly for its historical value as Keaton's debut. Critics consistently point to the molasses scene as an early example of Keaton's unique comic genius.

What Audiences Thought

The film was enormously popular with audiences in 1917, drawing large crowds to theaters across America. Audiences were particularly delighted by the new face of Buster Keaton, whose deadpan reactions to Arbuckle's antics created immediate chemistry. The film's success led to increased demand for more Arbuckle-Keaton collaborations. Contemporary audience reports from trade papers indicate that the film generated significant laughter and applause, especially during the freezer and molasses sequences. Modern audiences at revival screenings and film festivals continue to respond enthusiastically to the film's physical comedy, demonstrating its timeless appeal.

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