MGM tried to box Keaton in to their formulaic scripts of the day, but Keaton was able to break out and shine. Although the big studios didn't know what to do with Keaton, this film was funny and well above average for the day. Instead of it leading to depression and alcohol, better counsel would have been to adapt even better to the talkies and keep improving. This was an impressive movie, despite all the critics who only saw Keaton as a silent star. The critics are/were wrong. Keaton COULD adapt, although he lived through a barrage of naysayers, who are still around today singing praises of his silent pictures, which no one under 90 will watch. Try to get anyone under 50 to watch black and white -- you'll have a hard time with it. Keaton had great talent and should never have listened to the critics who praised only his silents. His work on this film proved he could still entertain and be funny.
Review of Sidewalks of New York
Sidewalks of New York
(1931)
Keaton Handled Talking Movies Well and was Adapting to Their Dominance
20 August 2019