"Our Hospitality" is built around a long standing feud somewhere in the early 19th century south, between the Canfields (Hatfields) and the McKays (McCoys).
Buster Keaton plays Willie McKay who was raised in New York after his father had been killed by a Canfield. One day he receives a letter informing him that he has inherited the McKay "estate". In a wild 1830 train ride south he meets a girl (Natalie Talmadge) with whom he strikes up a friendship. On arrival at their destination, she invites him to her home for dinner.
McKay discovers, much to his dismay, that the girl he met on the train is actually a Canfield. Her father (Joe Roberts) and her two brothers (Ralph Bushman, Craig Ward) want to kill poor Willie but are prevented from doing so by a family "code" which guarantees any guests in their home, "Our Hospitality".
Of course the Canfields try to trick Willie into going outside and he continually foils their efforts. When Willie finally does escape in a woman's dress the fun really starts which culminates over a cascading waterfall where the hero rescues the heroine.
There's some really funny stuff in this film. The train ride over "bumpy" tracks which includes the engine winding up behind the coaches is hilarious. The cat and mouse games at the Canfield mansion keep the action and comedy flowing. The final chase down the rapids contains some incredible stunts performed by Keaton. If I have a criticism about this film it's over the prologue which sets up the feud aspect and shows McCay senior being shot. Entirely unnecessary, especially in a comedy. The whole thing could have bee explained through a few title cards or a scene between Willie and the aunt who raised him.
The engineer of the train is played by Buster's father Joe who had some alcohol problems that had forced the Keaton family act to fold five years earlier. Although his part was small, you can see some of the mannerisms that Buster used during his career. For example, watch the scene in which Keaton Sr. is standing almost in silhouette on his engine. You would swear that it was Buster.
Buster's wife of the day, Natalie Talmadge plays the girl and his son Buster Jr. plays the 1 year old Willie in the prologue.
Buster Keaton plays Willie McKay who was raised in New York after his father had been killed by a Canfield. One day he receives a letter informing him that he has inherited the McKay "estate". In a wild 1830 train ride south he meets a girl (Natalie Talmadge) with whom he strikes up a friendship. On arrival at their destination, she invites him to her home for dinner.
McKay discovers, much to his dismay, that the girl he met on the train is actually a Canfield. Her father (Joe Roberts) and her two brothers (Ralph Bushman, Craig Ward) want to kill poor Willie but are prevented from doing so by a family "code" which guarantees any guests in their home, "Our Hospitality".
Of course the Canfields try to trick Willie into going outside and he continually foils their efforts. When Willie finally does escape in a woman's dress the fun really starts which culminates over a cascading waterfall where the hero rescues the heroine.
There's some really funny stuff in this film. The train ride over "bumpy" tracks which includes the engine winding up behind the coaches is hilarious. The cat and mouse games at the Canfield mansion keep the action and comedy flowing. The final chase down the rapids contains some incredible stunts performed by Keaton. If I have a criticism about this film it's over the prologue which sets up the feud aspect and shows McCay senior being shot. Entirely unnecessary, especially in a comedy. The whole thing could have bee explained through a few title cards or a scene between Willie and the aunt who raised him.
The engineer of the train is played by Buster's father Joe who had some alcohol problems that had forced the Keaton family act to fold five years earlier. Although his part was small, you can see some of the mannerisms that Buster used during his career. For example, watch the scene in which Keaton Sr. is standing almost in silhouette on his engine. You would swear that it was Buster.
Buster's wife of the day, Natalie Talmadge plays the girl and his son Buster Jr. plays the 1 year old Willie in the prologue.