“The Haunted House” is a silent short film released in 1921 and directed by Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline. The film follows Buster Keaton’s character, a bank clerk who finds himself stuck in a haunted house after being chased by a cop for a misunderstanding.
As Buster tries to find a way out, he encounters ghosts, hidden passages, and secret rooms. He meets a group of thieves who are trying to steal a hidden treasure from the house. Buster, initially mistaken as one of the thieves, decides to help them in exchange for their help to escape from the house.
The group faces a series of mishaps and comical situations while trying to steal the treasure, including trying to escape from the house while being chased by a cop. In the end, the group discovers that the “ghosts” were actually part of an elaborate scheme to scare away anyone who might try to steal the treasure.
Buster and the thieves manage to escape with the treasure, but they are chased by the cop again. Buster uses his wit to outsmart the cop and keep the treasure for himself.
“The Haunted House” is known for its physical comedy, visual gags, and inventive stunts, which were a hallmark of Buster Keaton’s films. It’s considered one of his early classics and helped establish him as a major star in the silent film era.
Directors:
Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
Writer:
Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
Stars:
Buster Keaton, Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts
