“Battling Butler” (1926) directed by and starring Buster Keaton / Z-View

Battling Butler (1926)

Director: Buster Keaton

Screenplay: Al Boasberg, Lex Neal, Charles Smith, Paul Gerard Smith; based on Battling Butler
(a 1922 play) by Stanley Brightman, Austin Melford

Stars: Buster Keaton, Sally O’Neil, Walter James.

Tagline: KEATON wins the laugh championship of the world in this greatest of all screen comedies! A love story. A prize-fight story! A knockout – and how! You can’t stop laughing!

The Plot…

Alfred Butler has grown up with all the luxuries a wealthy family can provide.  Alfred, although a young man, even has a personal assistant.  Alfred is a small, gentle young man who his father believes needs to toughen up.  So Alfred and his valet decide to go roughing it in the woods.

While camping Alfred meets a poor young woman who lives with her family in a mountain shack.  It’s love at first sight.  The woman’s brothers are tough mountain men.  In order to impress them, Alfred’s valet says that Alfred is a famous fighter called ‘Battling Butler”.  Alfred reluctantly goes along when it becomes clear that the family is impressed.

Alfred never dreamed he’d really have to enter the ring against the real “Battling Butler”.

Let’s get ready to rumble!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Battling Butler was released the same year as Keaton’s classic The General.  Ironically, The General, during it’s initial release, was considered a huge flop, while Battling Butler became Keaton’s second biggest hit.

Battling Butler (1926) rates 3 of 5 stars.