Today’s quick review: College. Ronald (Buster Keaton) was a star student in high school, but his hatred of sports cost him the affection of Mary Haynes (Anne Cornwall), the most popular girl in school. After graduation, Ronald enrolls in Clayton College in the hope of winning her back. But to do so, he must give up his books, become an athlete, and upstage Jeff Brown (Harold Goodwin), his romantic rival.
College is a classic comedy starring Buster Keaton as an aspiring college athlete. Frail and bookish, Ronald tries over and over again to find a sport where he can excel. This simple premise provides ample basis for Buster Keaton’s slapstick comedy. Baseball, track and field, and rowing give Keaton a wide variety of props to work with, and Ronald’s attempts to win back Mary are just enough of a story to tie the film together.
College does one thing and does it well: physical comedy. Ronald fails at every athletic endeavor he tries, from pole vaulting to playing third base, and thanks to Keaton’s skill, every mishap looks perfectly natural. Keaton also shows an impressive talent for pantomime, managing to convey Ronald’s specific train of thought in ways that catch the audience off-guard. And while the story is thin, it does build up to a satisfying finale.
Give College a shot if you’re in the mood for some classic slapstick. College very much fits the mold of comedies in the silent film era, and as a story it has no real innovations to offer. But its light tone, the creativity of its gags, and Keaton’s comedic talent are enough to carry the film, making it an enjoyable pick for any fans of the genre.
For a classic college comedy with snappier writing, check out Horse Feathers. For a more robust comedy from Buster Keaton, try The General.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for sharp, creative slapstick.