College (1927)
Yes it is a Buster Keaton vehicle and yes the story is strung together with little purpose other than to show various scenes of Keaton failing (albeit hilariously) at several sports, however above all the contrivinces it is very funny.
Keaton plays a scholarly geek who loses his girlfriend because he doesn’t know how to play sports and then decides to prove to her that he can, in fact, play sports.
The baseball scenes are funny, but somewhat predictable, as in Keaton not knowing how to catch a ball or accidentally forcing other players out. The track scenes, however, are perfection. Keaton fails fantastically as everything from sprinting to long jumping and is thoroughly entertaining. The cinematography in these scenes are incredibly forward thinking, and the athletes themselves are impressive.
The film has a great final payoff, as predictable as it may be, and though this is no ‘Steamboat Bill Jr’ or ‘The Navigator’, it is a Keaton classic that continues to be referenced (where modern actors know it or not).
Grade: B+
