“Cops” is a silent comedy film directed by Edward F. Cline and Buster Keaton, and released in 1922. The film follows the misadventures of a young man, played by Buster Keaton, who accidentally finds himself on the wrong side of the law.
The film begins with Buster Keaton’s character, who is referred to only as “The Boy,” trying to impress a young woman by pretending to be a successful businessman. However, his attempts at showing off his wealth backfire when he accidentally locks himself out of his own house and is forced to climb through a window to get back in. Unbeknownst to him, the house has just been burglarized, and when he emerges from the window, he is mistaken for the thief by a passing policeman.
The rest of the film follows The Boy as he tries to evade the police and clear his name. Along the way, he gets into all sorts of comical situations, including accidentally setting off a chain of events that causes chaos in the streets and inadvertently getting involved in a high-speed chase.
Despite his best efforts, The Boy eventually ends up in jail, where he makes a daring escape and ends up causing even more trouble on the streets. The film culminates in a hilarious chase sequence, as The Boy and a gang of police officers pursue each other through the city streets.
In the end, The Boy is able to clear his name and win the affection of the young woman he was trying to impress at the beginning of the film. “Cops” is considered one of Buster Keaton’s most iconic films, and is notable for its inventive stunts and hilarious physical comedy.
Directors:
Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
Writer:
Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline
Stars:
Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline, Virginia Fox
