“The Electric House” is a silent comedy short film released in 1922 and directed by Buster Keaton and Eddie Cline. The film stars Buster Keaton as a young man who dreams of having an electrically-powered home that will make his life easier.
In the beginning, Keaton is a botany student who has just inherited a large sum of money. He decides to use the money to build his dream home, complete with all sorts of automated gadgets and appliances. He hires a group of electricians to wire the house, but they are all lazy and incompetent.
Despite their shoddy workmanship, Keaton continues to have faith in his electric house, and he invites a group of friends over for a housewarming party. Chaos ensues as the electrical system malfunctions, causing all sorts of unexpected and hilarious mishaps.
In one scene, Keaton’s automatic shaving machine goes haywire and leaves him with a completely shaved head. In another scene, the electric lights in the house start flashing on and off, making it seem like the house is possessed by ghosts.
Eventually, Keaton and his friends are able to get the electrical system under control, but not before the house is completely destroyed. In the end, Keaton realizes that his dream of an electric house was not worth the trouble, and he decides to return to a simpler way of life.
Overall, “The Electric House” is a classic Buster Keaton film that showcases his physical comedy and innovative filmmaking techniques. It also provides a humorous commentary on the increasing reliance on technology during the early 20th century.
Directors:
Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
Writer:
Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline, Jeffrey Vance
Stars:
Buster Keaton, Virginia Fox, Joe Keaton
