Buster Keaton is walking past a jail when he grabs the bars
and peers inside. On the other side of the bars is notorious murderer “Dead
Shot Dan” who is being photographed. Seeing that Keaton is behind him, Dan
ducks out of shot and once he escapes, a photo of Keaton, seemly behind bars is
published. As a result of this Keaton is forced to go on the run from various
police officers including a persistent Police Chief who just won’t give up.
I watch a lot of Silent Comedy but if I had to ask someone
to watch just one short silent picture it may well be this one. The Goat is packed full of wonderful
jokes, ingenious set ups and incredible stunt work. I laughed more at twenty
seven minutes of this film than I have during probably every comedy I’ve seen
so far this year combined.
