The Goat
Plot
The Goat follows Buster Keaton as a down-on-his-luck man who can't catch a break. After being rejected for a job, he visits a mission for a free meal but flees upon discovering a wanted poster for 'Dead Shot Dan,' a dangerous criminal who bears an uncanny resemblance to him. Coincidentally, the real criminal has just escaped from prison, leading to a series of mistaken identity mishaps where Buster is pursued by both law enforcement and the criminal's enemies. Through a series of elaborate chase sequences and comedic misunderstandings, Buster finds himself at the police station where he's again mistaken for the criminal. The real Dead Shot Dan eventually appears, leading to his capture, while Buster receives the reward money and wins the affection of the police chief's daughter, Virginia Fox.
About the Production
The Goat was filmed during a particularly productive period in Keaton's career when he was producing approximately one two-reel comedy every month. The film showcases Keaton's trademark physical comedy and elaborate chase sequences. The famous scene where Keaton hangs from a moving train was performed by Keaton himself without a stunt double, demonstrating his commitment to authentic physical comedy.
Historical Background
The Goat was released in 1921 during the Golden Age of silent comedy, when audiences were flocking to theaters to see the latest works of Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd. This was also a period of significant social change in America, with the country transitioning from World War I to the Roaring Twenties. The film's themes of mistaken identity and the little guy against the system resonated with audiences dealing with rapid industrialization and urbanization. 1921 was also the year that Warren G. Harding became President, and the film industry was consolidating its power in Hollywood with the establishment of major studio systems.
Why This Film Matters
The Goat represents a perfect example of Keaton's sophisticated approach to physical comedy, elevating slapstick beyond simple gags to create complex narrative situations. The film's influence can be seen in countless later comedies that use mistaken identity as a central plot device. Keaton's deadpan expression and athletic grace in The Goat helped establish him as a major alternative to Charlie Chaplin's more sentimental style of comedy. The film's technical innovations, particularly in its chase sequences, pushed the boundaries of what could be achieved in action comedy and influenced generations of filmmakers from Jackie Chan to the Coen Brothers.
Making Of
The Goat was produced during Keaton's golden period of short film production at his own studio in Hollywood. Keaton had complete creative control over his films during this time, allowing him to perfect his unique blend of physical comedy and technical innovation. The film's elaborate chase sequence required careful coordination between multiple camera units and was filmed over several days. Keaton's commitment to authentic stunts meant he performed the dangerous train-hanging sequence himself, a practice that would eventually lead to serious injuries in later films. The collaboration with regular cast members Joe Roberts and Virginia Fox created a comfortable working environment that allowed for improvisation and refinement of gags during filming.
Visual Style
The cinematography in The Goat was handled by Elgin Lessley, Keaton's regular cameraman who understood his unique visual needs. The film employs innovative camera techniques including tracking shots during chase sequences and carefully composed long shots that showcase Keaton's physical comedy. Lessley developed special techniques for filming Keaton's stunts, including multiple exposure effects and precise camera movement synchronized with the action. The film's visual style emphasizes clarity and spatial relationships, essential for understanding the complex physical gags. The cinematography also makes effective use of depth of field to create layered comedy, with action happening simultaneously in foreground and background.
Innovations
The Goat showcases several technical innovations that were ahead of their time. The film's chase sequence required complex coordination between multiple camera units and carefully timed stunt work. Keaton and his team developed new techniques for filming action scenes, including the use of camera mounts on moving vehicles to create smooth tracking shots. The film also features innovative editing techniques that create rhythm and pace in the comedy sequences. The famous train sequence required precise timing and engineering to ensure safety while maintaining visual impact. These technical achievements helped establish new standards for action comedy in cinema.
Music
As a silent film, The Goat was originally accompanied by live musical performances in theaters. Typical accompaniment would have included a piano or small orchestra playing popular songs of the era along with classical pieces. Modern restorations have been scored by various composers, including the Alloy Orchestra and others who specialize in silent film music. The music generally follows the action closely, with frantic chase music during pursuit scenes and romantic themes for scenes with Virginia Fox. The absence of dialogue makes the musical accompaniment particularly important in establishing mood and emphasizing comedic moments.
Famous Quotes
No dialogue in this silent film, but the intertitle 'Wanted: Dead Shot Dan - Dead or Alive' became iconic
The intertitle 'The Goat' at the beginning with its multiple meanings
Police chief's intertitle: 'We've got him this time!'
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence where Buster discovers his doppelgänger on the wanted poster
- The elaborate chase through the city streets with Buster being pursued by multiple parties
- The famous train sequence where Buster hangs precariously from the side of a moving train
- The climactic police station scene where both Buster and the real criminal arrive simultaneously
- The final scene where Buster receives the reward and gets the girl
Did You Know?
- The title 'The Goat' refers to the slang term 'goat' meaning someone who takes the blame for others' mistakes
- The wanted poster gag was inspired by a real incident where Keaton was mistaken for someone else
- Joe Roberts, who played Dead Shot Dan, was a regular collaborator with Keaton and appeared in 16 of his films
- The film's famous train sequence required Keaton to actually hang from the side of a moving train
- Virginia Fox, who played the female lead, married director Sam Warner the following year
- This was one of the few Keaton films where he plays a character who is genuinely down on his luck rather than simply finding himself in comical situations
- The film was shot in just a few days, typical for Keaton's efficient production schedule
- Keaton performed nearly all his own stunts, including falling from heights and being dragged through mud
- The police station set was reused in several other Keaton productions due to budget constraints
- The Goat was part of a distribution deal with First National that paid Keaton $150,000 per year for eight shorts
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics praised The Goat as one of Keaton's finest shorts, with Variety noting its 'laugh-a-minute' pace and 'ingenious' plot construction. Modern critics have recognized it as a masterpiece of silent comedy, with the American Film Institute including it in their list of classic comedies. Critics particularly praise the film's tight construction and the way each gag logically flows into the next, creating what film scholar David Robinson called 'a perfect little machine of comedy.' The film is often cited as an example of how Keaton could take a simple premise and develop it into a complex, satisfying narrative through pure visual storytelling.
What Audiences Thought
The Goat was enormously popular with audiences in 1921, playing to packed houses as part of Keaton's successful short film series. Contemporary audience reports indicate that the film received enthusiastic applause and laughter, particularly during the climactic chase sequence. Modern audiences continue to appreciate the film's timeless humor, with The Goat regularly screening at film festivals and revival theaters to enthusiastic response. The film's accessibility and universal themes have helped it maintain its appeal across generations, making it one of Keaton's most consistently popular shorts.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Charlie Chaplin's early shorts
- Mack Sennett comedies
- Harold Lloyd's daredevil comedy style
- Fatty Arbuckle's visual gags
- Max Linder's character-based comedy
This Film Influenced
- Buster Keaton's later feature films
- The Three Stooges shorts
- Jackie Chan's action comedies
- The Coen Brothers' 'Raising Arizona'
- Peter Sellers' 'The Pink Panther' series
- Rowan Atkinson's 'Mr. Bean' series
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Film Restoration
The Goat is well-preserved and available in high-quality digital restorations. The film survived the silent era losses that destroyed many works from this period. Multiple 35mm prints exist in archives including the Library of Congress and the Museum of Modern Art. The film has been digitally restored by several organizations including Kino Lorber and the Cohen Film Collection, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The restoration work has cleaned up damage while preserving the original film's visual quality and pacing.