Buster Keaton walks straight into trouble, numerous times, as a wayward golfer who's mistaken for an escaped convict and summarily shuffled back to prison for an afternoon date with the gallows. There, another happenstance wardrobe change sees him dressed as a guard, just in time for a well-organized (and violent) breakout attempt.
As usual, Keaton will often stumble into a tough situation and then stumble right back out again, usually left blissfully unaware of both the predicament and its solution, which makes for great, cartoony visual comedy. He's come prepared with a bushel of fresh ideas this time, largely playing on the unique scenery of a prison yard, but he also works in a series of callbacks which tie the whole fable together. That's a new thing for Buster, who'd been content to breathlessly sprint through one-off gags up to this point, and a sign of maturing talent. We don't scoff at the repetition when that elastic noose finds its way back into the scene; we remember the original goof, appreciate the inventive new application and laugh twice as hard.
Its beginning and ending might be re-heated leftovers from earlier films, but Convict 13 is a bonafide side-splitter while it's behind bars. Simple fun, clever and unpredictable, with another delightfully over-the-top (yet oddly subdued) feature performance from the burgeoning silent movie star.
As usual, Keaton will often stumble into a tough situation and then stumble right back out again, usually left blissfully unaware of both the predicament and its solution, which makes for great, cartoony visual comedy. He's come prepared with a bushel of fresh ideas this time, largely playing on the unique scenery of a prison yard, but he also works in a series of callbacks which tie the whole fable together. That's a new thing for Buster, who'd been content to breathlessly sprint through one-off gags up to this point, and a sign of maturing talent. We don't scoff at the repetition when that elastic noose finds its way back into the scene; we remember the original goof, appreciate the inventive new application and laugh twice as hard.
Its beginning and ending might be re-heated leftovers from earlier films, but Convict 13 is a bonafide side-splitter while it's behind bars. Simple fun, clever and unpredictable, with another delightfully over-the-top (yet oddly subdued) feature performance from the burgeoning silent movie star.