The Gold Ghost (1934)

Why so much hype?

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

If you are looking for the genius and style of Buster Keaton's silent films, then you probably will be more disappointed in this short from Educational Films (a company, despite its name, that made comedies). This is because the film lacks the physicality of Keaton's older films--the flips, pratfalls and the like. However, if you can repress the part of the brain that expects that, then this film is actually pretty pleasant. Plus, it was a HUGE improvement over the types of films he'd just finished making for MGM--as pairing him and his sweet style with Jimmy Durante was simply insane! The film begins with Buster's girl and father discussing her marriage to him. THey both agree that Buster hasn't proved himself and probably would be a disaster as a husband. So, to prove them wrong, he travels out West to show them he can be a success. However, the restaurant he bought sight unseen turns out to be in a ghost town. BUT, soon after, the town is rediscovered--as gold is found in the nearby mines. Now, the place is filled with folks and Buster finds himself the sheriff. The problem is, the bad guys insist he throw in his lot with them...or else.While I don't recall any big laughs in this one, the story is nice and it's interesting to see Keaton in a short that is more plot-driven than usual. Not great but worth seeing.

Gold Ghost, The (1934) ** (out of 4) Wally (Buster Keaton) is expected to marry Gloria (Dorothy Dix) but she finds him to be a wimp and refuses his hand. Wally, depressed, decides to drive out West where he ends up in a ghost town in Nevada where he pretends to be the sheriff but ends up with the job just in time as a gangster comes to visit as well as some looking for gold. After Keaton's contract was destroyed by MGM he moved over to Educational Pictures and this was the first film he made for the ultra low-budget studio. I've heard many reviewers say this was the best of the group and if that's true then I'm really not looking forward to the future films. As many other reviewers have stated, the first portion of this movie features a long silent sequence and many fans seem to feel this was a great return for Keaton. However, in my opinion, just because you make something silent doesn't mean that the quality of the work is any higher. I really thought many of the jokes fell flat on their face simply because of how straight many of them were. The majority of the silent segment features Keaton falling over things. He goes to sit in a chair but it breaks and he falls. Keaton goes to lean against a table but it collapses and he falls. He puts his foot on a bar and, you guessed it, he falls. There are a couple funny gags later on in the film including the best one where Keaton is washing his clothes and is somewhat nude when all these cars start pulling up and he must frantically run off. Another nice gag is when he and the gangster are playing cards on a desk full of dust that goes wild each time one of them moves. THE GOLD GHOST isn't a horrible film because it did at least keep me mildly entertained but at the same time there simply weren't enough laughs to call it a winner.

In his first Educational comedy Buster Keaton touches and mannerisms are back in abundance after years of the creative straitjacket that was MGM. I find his Educational shorts liberating despite the low budgets that were imposed upon the brilliant comedian. After five years of being told what was funny by studio executives Keaton is back in charge and calling the shots as evident by the delightful first reel of THE GOLD GHOST, which is played basically silent. Buster roams around a deserted, ram-shackled ghost town where chairs and tables collapse, doors fall off their hinges and wooden walkways disintegrate when used. Warren Hymer eventually turns up so Buster has someone to play cards with in a rising cloud of dust.None of these gags are truly ingenious on their own but they are all engaging as a whole as Keaton gets his feet wet returning to the two reel format that he began his film career in supporting Roscoe Arbuckle. Who else but Keaton would throw a deck of cards at a gang of assailants and then stand and watch as the cards scattered with the wind? It's nice to have Buster back.

In this Educational sound short from the thirties, Buster plays another variation of his dim but resourceful rich kids, seen in films like The Navigator and Battling Butler. Although this never even approaches the greatness of his earlier work, it is however a charming little film with a great sense of fun. Buster, being spurned by the girl he wants to marry, heads off in his car and keeps going until he runs out of petrol. He ends up in an old gold prospector village that has been deserted and makes himself sheriff (well, he puts on the badge and gun). He is not alone for long though as a gangster on the run crashes his plane in the town and soon strikes up a friendship of sorts with Buster. However, their peace is soon shattered by gold being discovered again and before long the town is booming again. Of course the girl shows up as the mine is owned by her father and Buster in his sheriff's role has to save the day etc etc.The Gold Ghost has some good bits of business and some fitfully funny scenes but it's the setting that helps make it a winner. Also there are small hints of the Buster that went before as the fantasy playing of Buster being the sheriff gives way to his playing the role for real and there are several surreal touches. One of the best Buster talkies.