College
1927's COLLEGE is certainly one of one of Buster Keaton's lesser vehicles, but for me it's never a waste of time to be reminded of where the later filmic clowns got their moves. As I get older I find myself less patient with imitations. Be it films, music, literature. I guess everyone copies to some extent, but seeing homages to what came before seems pointless if you can go right to the source. And Keaton, who co-directs with James W. Horne, once again creates a template for physical comedy that does a smooth dance with human drama. Keaton plays model student Ronald, whose high school graduation speech damns athletics and prizes academia. The object of his affection, Mary (Anne Cormwall) thinks he's worthless and weak for having such an attitude. She's more interested in that dolt Jeff (Harold Goodwin), who finally graduates after seven years. Nonetheless, Ronald follows her to Clayton College to try to change her mind. It is there that...
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