In One Week, newlywed couple Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely try to build a prefabricated house. But its been sabotaged!
One Week (1920) starring Buster Keaton, Sybil Seely
Buster Keaton and his newlywed bride Sybil Seely have to build their new home from a prefabricated kit. What could possibly go wrong?
Cast of characters
- Buster Keaton Buster Keaton … The Groom
- Sybil Seely … The Bride
- Joe Roberts (The Love Nest) … Piano Mover
Review
One Week is a silent comedy film released in 1920, directed by and starring Buster Keaton. The film follows the newlywed couple, Buster Keaton and his bride Sybil Seely. They attempt to build a prefabricated house from a do-it-yourself kit. However, unknown to them, Keaton’s rival has sabotaged it, switching the numbers on the boxes. This results in a hilariously disastrous attempt at constructing their new home.
The film is a classic example of Buster Keaton’s unique brand of physical comedy. It combines athleticism, impeccable timing, and a deadpan expression. The scenes where Keaton and Seely try to assemble their house are hilarious! They encounter all sorts of obstacles and setbacks along the way, from an incorrectly placed door to a collapsing chimney. And one funny, breaking the fourth wall moment is where Sybil is taking a bath, and drops the soap on the rug. So, how to get it without revealing herself? But a hand covers the camera lens long enough to protect her dignity!
One of the film’s strengths is its use of innovative camera techniques. For example, it uses multiple exposures to show different parts of the house construction simultaneously. Also the use of a crane shot to show the full extent of the house’s destruction at the end of the film. These techniques were cutting-edge for their time. And they helped to establish Keaton as one of the most innovative filmmakers of the silent era.
Another standout aspect of One Week is the film’s attention to detail. Every prop and set piece is carefully designed to maximize comedy potential. This ranges from the various tools and materials used in the construction of the house, to the characters’ costumes and their facial expressions.
Conclusion
The end of the film is laugh out loud funny! At the end of the seven days spent constructing their house – the One Week of the title – they have to move it. And it gets stuck on train tracks, with a train coming! And they manage to push it out of the way in the nick of time …. Just for another train to come along and demolish it!
Frankly, One Week is an absolutely hilarious comedy film that showcases Buster Keaton’s unique talents as a filmmaker and performer. Its combination of physical humor, clever camera work, and attention to detail make it a timeless classic. And more than a century later, it continues to entertain audiences today.
Trivia
- All of the stunts are real, with the full-sized house as seen on-screen.
- After two more appearances in Buster Keaton’s shorts, Virginia Fox replaces Sybil Seely as leading lady. However, Buster asked her back for The Boat (1921) with the idea of combining it with this film into a four reel-feature. But it never came to pass.
- Included in “Buster Keaton: The Shorts Collection” blu-ray set, released by Kino.