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
Running time
 25 minutes
Country United States
Language Silent film
English (original intertitles)

Out West is a 1918 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.

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

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

External links