The Hayseed
Plot
In this silent comedy short, Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle plays a rural mail carrier who leaves his friend Buster Keaton in charge of the general store while he makes his rounds. During his deliveries, Arbuckle takes time to play hide-and-seek with Molly Malone, the store owner's daughter, much to the dismay of the local constable who also has romantic intentions toward her. The jealous constable decides to steal $300 from the store's safe while Arbuckle is away, but Buster witnesses the theft through a cleverly positioned mirror. What follows is a series of comedic misunderstandings and chase sequences as Arbuckle and Keaton work together to recover the stolen money and expose the corrupt constable, culminating in a wild pursuit through the countryside that showcases both comedians' physical comedy talents.
About the Production
This was one of the early collaborations between Arbuckle and Keaton, filmed during their peak creative partnership at Comique. The production utilized actual rural locations near Los Angeles to achieve authentic countryside atmosphere. The store set was built specifically for this film and reused in several subsequent Comique productions. The film was shot in just a few days, typical of the rapid production schedule of two-reel comedies during this period.
Historical Background
The Hayseed was produced during the golden age of silent comedy in 1919, a pivotal year in American cinema history. This period saw the transition from short one-reel comedies to more sophisticated two-reel productions that allowed for more complex storytelling and character development. The film emerged just after World War I, when American audiences were eager for escapist entertainment and comedy films were experiencing unprecedented popularity. The Comique Film Corporation, founded by Arbuckle and Joseph Schenck, was at the forefront of this comedy boom, producing high-quality shorts that showcased the talents of their performers. 1919 also marked the beginning of Hollywood's dominance in global cinema, with studios like Paramount (Comique's distributor) establishing their power in the industry. The film's rural setting and simple plot reflected a nostalgic American ideal that resonated with audiences during a period of rapid urbanization and social change. This was also the year before the scandal that would destroy Arbuckle's career, making The Hayseed part of his final wave of successful productions.
Why This Film Matters
The Hayseed holds significant cultural importance as a document of the early collaboration between two of silent cinema's greatest comedians. It represents a crucial transitional period in Buster Keaton's career, as he evolved from Arbuckle's sidekick to a star in his own right. The film exemplifies the sophisticated physical comedy style that would define the golden age of silent comedy, influencing generations of comedians and filmmakers. Its rural setting and characters reflect the American cultural fascination with country life versus city sophistication, a theme that would recur throughout American comedy. The film's preservation and continued study provide insight into early 20th century American values, gender roles, and social dynamics. The Arbuckle-Keaton partnership demonstrated in this film would directly influence Keaton's later masterpieces and the broader development of American comedy cinema. The film also serves as an important historical artifact for understanding the business practices of early Hollywood studios and the star system that dominated the era.
Making Of
The production of 'The Hayseed' exemplified the efficient workflow of the Comique Film Corporation under Arbuckle's direction. Arbuckle and Keaton had developed a remarkable working chemistry by this point, often collaborating on gags and stunts during filming. The hide-and-seek sequence between Arbuckle and Molly Malone was reportedly filmed over an entire day, with Arbuckle encouraging improvisation to capture genuine comedic moments. The store set was constructed with breakaway elements to facilitate the physical comedy, a technique Arbuckle had perfected. Buster Keaton, who was still learning the ropes of film comedy, contributed significantly to the film's sight gags, particularly the mirror sequence and his deadpan reactions to the unfolding chaos. The film was shot during the summer of 1919, taking advantage of the California countryside for exterior shots. The production team faced challenges with the outdoor lighting conditions, often having to shoot scenes quickly to maintain consistent sunlight. Despite these constraints, the film showcases the sophisticated comedic timing and physical prowess that would make both Arbuckle and Keaton legends of silent comedy.
Visual Style
The cinematography in The Hayseed was handled by George Peters, a regular cameraman for Comique productions. The film demonstrates the sophisticated visual style that characterized Arbuckle's productions, with careful composition and framing that enhanced the comedy. The use of deep focus in the store scenes allowed for multiple comedic actions to occur simultaneously, a technique that was relatively advanced for 1919. The exterior sequences took full advantage of natural lighting, creating a warm, authentic rural atmosphere that contrasted with the artificial lighting of studio-bound comedies of the era. The camera work during the chase sequences was particularly noteworthy, employing tracking shots that kept pace with the running performers while maintaining clear visibility of the gags. The innovative use of mirrors and reflections in the theft sequence showed a sophisticated understanding of visual storytelling techniques. The film's visual style balanced clarity with artistic composition, ensuring that every gag was perfectly visible while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing frame.
Innovations
The Hayseed featured several technical innovations for its time, particularly in its use of location shooting and sophisticated gag construction. The film's mirror sequence, where Buster witnesses the theft through a reflection, demonstrated advanced understanding of spatial relationships and visual storytelling. The production employed early forms of multiple camera coverage for complex action sequences, allowing for more dynamic editing of the chase scenes. The breakaway props and specially constructed set pieces for physical comedy represented significant advances in production design for comedy films. The film's seamless integration of location shooting with studio work showcased the growing sophistication of film production techniques in the late 1910s. The timing and coordination required for the film's elaborate physical gags represented a high level of technical achievement in choreographing complex action sequences. The film also demonstrated early mastery of continuity editing, maintaining clear spatial relationships during rapid movements and chase sequences.
Music
As a silent film, The Hayseed would have been accompanied by live musical performances during its original theatrical run. Typical scores for Arbuckle comedies included popular songs of the era, classical pieces, and specially composed mood music. The general store scenes would likely have featured light, jaunty tunes to match the playful atmosphere, while the chase sequences would have been accompanied by frantic, upbeat music to heighten the excitement. The romantic interludes between Arbuckle and Molly Malone would have been underscored with sentimental melodies common to the period. The constable's sneaky theft would have been accompanied by sneaky, staccato musical phrases typical of villainous scenes in silent cinema. Modern restorations and screenings of the film typically feature newly composed scores by silent film accompanists or period-appropriate compiled scores using authentic music from 1919.
Did You Know?
- This was one of the first films where Buster Keaton received prominent billing alongside Arbuckle, marking the beginning of Keaton's rise to stardom
- The hide-and-seek sequence was largely improvised by Arbuckle and Malone, showcasing Arbuckle's talent for spontaneous comedy
- The film's title 'The Hayseed' was a common term for a country person or rural dweller in early 20th century America
- The constable character was played by Arbuckle regular Al St. John, who was actually Arbuckle's nephew
- The mirror gag where Buster witnesses the theft was considered innovative for its time and became a frequently copied technique in later comedies
- This film was part of a series of Arbuckle-Keaton collaborations that would eventually total 17 films between 1917-1920
- The $300 stolen in the plot would be equivalent to approximately $4,800 in 2020 currency
- Molly Malone was one of the few actresses who appeared in multiple Arbuckle-Keaton films during this period
- The film's chase sequence utilized actual country roads, creating more realistic and dangerous stunts than typical studio-bound comedies
- This was one of the last films before Arbuckle's contract with Paramount was renegotiated, giving him more creative control
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception for The Hayseed was overwhelmingly positive, with trade publications praising the chemistry between Arbuckle and Keaton. The Moving Picture World noted the film's 'rollicking good humor' and 'excellent comic timing,' while Variety highlighted the 'ingenious gags' and 'superior production values' typical of Comique releases. Critics particularly praised the film's pacing and the seamless integration of physical comedy with plot development. Modern critics and film historians regard The Hayseed as an exemplary Arbuckle-Keaton collaboration, noting how it showcases both performers' unique comedic styles working in harmony. The film is often cited in studies of silent comedy as a prime example of the two-reel format at its most effective. Contemporary film scholars appreciate the film for its historical value in documenting the evolution of both Arbuckle's and Keaton's comedic personas, with many considering it among the strongest of their collaborative works.
What Audiences Thought
The Hayseed was extremely popular with contemporary audiences, drawing large crowds in theaters across America as part of Arbuckle's consistently successful series. Moviegoers of the era particularly enjoyed the film's rural setting and relatable characters, which provided a comforting contrast to the rapid modernization occurring in American society. The chemistry between Arbuckle and Keaton was a major draw, with audiences responding enthusiastically to their contrasting comedic styles - Arbuckle's exuberant clowning perfectly complemented by Keaton's stoic deadpan reactions. The film's chase sequences and physical gags generated significant laughter and applause in theaters, with many audience members requesting repeat viewings. The film's success contributed to the growing popularity of both comedians, helping establish Keaton as a star in his own right. Modern audiences who view the film through retrospectives and silent film festivals continue to appreciate its timeless humor and the remarkable physical comedy skills of its performers.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Mack Sennett's Keystone comedies
- Charlie Chaplin's character development
- Harold Lloyd's everyday man comedy
- Stage farce traditions
- Vaudeville comedy routines
This Film Influenced
- The 'General Store' comedy subgenre
- Later Keaton solo films like 'The General'
- Laurel and Hardy's rural comedies
- The Three Stooges' store-based shorts
- Modern physical comedy films