The High Sign (Buster Keaton, 1921)
What is the film about?
This film opens with credits which introduce the film, then, we see a train go past in which Buster Keaton falls off of it and he walks towards a carousel which is going round and round after coming in possession of a newspaper, he sits on the bench and begins to open it up to a large size, which is bigger than him himself. As he is reading the news paper, he comes across ‘HELP WANTED’, helped is needed in a shooting gallery. Buster makes his way to the shooting gallery but before hand he steals a gun off a police officer, replacing the police officers gun for a banana. Once he gets to the gallery he begins practice shooting, but it is not going his way. Meanwhile the owner of the gallery leave nod makes his way to a door which is labelled, ‘The Blinking Buzzards’, he does this motion with his hands and he granted entry into the room. And back in the gallery, Buster Keaton is trying to find a way to get the bell to ring every time he shoots, he finds dog nod a bone and he attaches a pieces of sting so every time he presses down on a plank of wood, the bone ill rise makes the dog chase after it which will set of the bell system. Buster Keaton is greeted by a man and his daughter who want him to be their bodyguard as the daughters father is in danger but the man in charge of the gallery wants Buster to kill the man, she as he makes his way to the house he devises a plan in which the man will pretend to be shot by Buster so both of them are safe but it gets down hill when the man is caught not to be dead and a chase sequence begins to lay out throughout the house which is full of trapdoors and secret rooms.
How is the story told?
The story is told in a linear structure with one event after the other taking place in the order of events, and time passing is shown through certain significant shots, this is important because it allows the audience to understand this passing of time as the story is being told.
Who are the main characters and what happens to them?
The main characters in this film are Buster himself, he plays the man who is on both sides and end up being the hero saving the man in danger and his daughter from the Blinking Blizzards who are after them. The Blinking blizzards are plotting to assassinate this man and they go by it by hiring a gun man to do the dirty work, Buster is who they hire but ultimately Buster chooses the man to save and the Blinking Blizzards don’t get away with the assassination they are defeated by Buster who runs around the house aimlessly.
How is the narrative structured?
This film is structured so one event happens after another in a chronological order, the organisation of the story is clear because of the strong focus on the end sequence as Buster is made to make decision of what side to take and deal wit the consequences of his decision.
Does the film belong to a particular genre?
This film is ultimately a comedy film, Buster Keaton, the director of this film, is commonly known for the physical comedy in his films and The High Sign conforms the stereotypes of a Buster Keaton film.
Who made the film?
This film as made by an American man named Buster Keaton, he was an American actor, as well as a comedian as well as a film director and what he was bets known for was the silent films that he produced during the 1920s. Within these films he not only directors them but he performed physical comedy and inventive stunts. Keaton was bets known for his deadpan expression as well as the elaborate visual comedy that he portrayed on the screen, this helped to define these comedy films of the 1920s.
Does the film exhibit auteur qualities?
Auteur trait of Buster Keaton: Cinematography - long shots: It is evident in this film and many other of Buster Keaton film that he used these shots to construct stunts within the mise-en-scène, these long shots allow the audience to marvel at the virtuosity and stunts throughout this film.
What do you think the filmmakers wanted to say? Does the film attempt to convey a message or ideology?
I think that Buster Keaton is trying to raise this idea of gangs and their culture and address the situation but in a humorous way that makes people understand from his films, Buster has cleverly used his position as a filmmaker to spread awareness of gangs whether this be intentionally or not. Buster Keaton wanted to say/ show how easy it is to be put in positions that you do not want to be put in. Equally, the message of the film focuses on this gang, named ‘The Blinking Blizzards’ and this is the source of how the idea/ message is conveyed and spread in this film.
Do the filmmakers use any interesting techniques to convey information to the audience?
An interesting technique that Buster Keaton uses is after the butler (undercover member of the Blinking Blizzards) tips an unknown substance secretly into Keaton's drink and he sips it, Buster then looks into the cup and he sees a reflection of a horse kicking its rear legs. This has been done in post-production and it is an effect that is extremely expressionistic and is used to inform the audience of the idea that the substance is causing Keaton to experience these weird hallucinations.
Does the film hold a significant place in film history?
This Buster Keaton film is significant becaus it was his first independent production, which contrasted with the film he made with Fatty Arbuckle. Also, this film as completed a year earlier but Buster made the decision to delay the films release because he felt that his film closely mimicked what was known as Arbuckle’s style, he thought that:
“the gags were too ridiculous and clever for their own sake"
Eventually this film was realised in 1921 on the 4th April.
How does the film reflect the social, cultural, historical, and political context in which it was produced and exhibited? How is the film representative of the institutions and technologies that made it?
How does the film represent particular individuals or groups of people?
This film is significant in its representation of gangs. The High Sign has a large focus on this group named ‘The Blinking Blizzards” who appear to be a 1920s gang. This is highly significant as the representation of gangs is very realistic to the time/ period that this film was made as the disillusionment felt by the soldiers after World War 1 did actually lead many of them to taking these violent and corrupt lifestyles by joking these types of gangs. The agreement to these gangs represented the struggles they had to re-join a conventional society after the War.
How does Keaton create humour in the film?
Keaton is known for his ability to amuse an audience and create this feeling of comedy to the audience something that is significant is that he doesn’t need a laugh in every scene. He wanted the audience to believe in his characters, which only made the comedy that much more impactful. Buster Keaton in The High Sign creates humour through these crazy stunts pulled around the house as Buster runs away from the men who are after it.
What was your personal reaction to the film?
I personally have really enjoyed these Buster Keaton films we have watched and this one was just as good as the other two i have watched, it is not the typical film I have ever leaned towards but i have really enjoyed watching them and found them very entertaining. I particularly liked this film as I was very comedic towards the ends as the chase sequence began in this confined space of a house, my personal opinion is very positive and I really enjoyed watching this film.
Do you think your reaction is typical of most spectators?
I think the reaction of typical spectators would be very similar to mine in that this is a film that was clearly very thought out and well executed and has made a historical impact on film even today.
Which sequences were particularly effective or enjoyable?
I personally really enjoyed the chase sequence in this film, as the different rooms were very effective as us as the audience were able to visually navigate themselves round the house and pick out where the different trap doors and hidden corridors etc.