Go West

The only Keaton feature in which he discreetly tapped a vein of Chaplin pathos (his character is 'Friendless' and his leading lady a mournful cow), this is not one of his masterpieces, but is almost as enchanting in its quiet way. Some wonderful touches mark the progress of Buster's romance with the cow as he sits patiently waiting for her to milk herself after placing a pail in the appropriate position, ties antlers to her head so that she can defend herself against the herd, and - on realising that his liking is reciprocated - essays a gingerly pat while politely raising his hat. The spirited climax has Buster, dressed in a red Mephistopheles costume with demented cops clinging to his tail, trying to head off a stampeding herd as it rampages through town: a chase which never really escalates properly in the manner of Cops or Seven Chances, largely (as Keaton later explained) because of problems experienced in controlling the cattle.