Out West (1918 film)

Out West

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle
Produced by Joseph M. Schenck
Written by Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle
Natalie Talmadge (story)
Starring Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle
Buster Keaton
Al St. John
Alice Lake
Joe Keaton
Cinematography George Peters
Edited by Herbert Warren
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates
  • January 20, 1918 (1918-01-20)
Running time
25 minutes
Country United States
Language Silent film
English (original intertitles)

Out West is a 1918 American short comedy film, a satire on contemporary westerns, starring Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, and Al St. John. It was the first of Arbuckle's "Comique" films to be filmed on the west coast, the previous five having been filmed in and around New York City. The idea for the story came from Natalie Talmadge, who was later to become Keaton's first wife. The film contains racial stereotypes and attitudes, including a scene in which a gang of rowdy cowboys make a black man, played by Ernie Morrison Sr., dance by shooting at his feet.

Plot

The story involves Arbuckle coming to the western town of Mad Dog Gulch (which the intertitles call "the toughest town in the movies") after being thrown off a train and chased by Indians. He teams up with gambler/saloon owner Bill Bullhorn (Keaton), in trying to keep the evil Wild Bill Hickup (Al St. John) away from Salvation Army girl, Salvation Sue (Alice Lake). Fatty and Buster have a series of adventures trying to beat St. John, until they discover his one weakness: his ticklishness.

Cast

Reception

Like many American films of the time, Out West was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors required a cut of the scene of arrows in man's back and their removal, man burning back with gas flames, and the shooting of the bartender.[1]

Film clip

Critical response

Variety gave the film a positive review in its January 25, 1918 issue, saying it "hits a better comedy tempo than any of his [Arbuckle's] recent productions." Keaton's comic tumbles were singled out for praise, as was Arbuckle's direction of the film: "Good camera work aids the comedy."

See also

References

  1. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald (New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company) 6 (7): 29. February 9, 1918.

External links

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