College

Synopsis

Ronald, a bookish high-school valedictorian who has publicly scorned athletics, discovers that the girl he loves admires only sportsmen. Following her to college, he attempts every discipline on campus, from baseball to the hurdles, the shot put and the high jump, with disastrous results, before being pressed into service as coxswain of the rowing crew. When Mary is locked in her room by a bullying rival, Ronald finally reveals an athlete's speed and grace.

Critique

Made in the shadow of The General, College is Keaton's most sustained study of physical failure, performed by one of the most gifted athletes ever to work in film. The comedy of the sports montage lies in Keaton's absolute commitment to doing everything wrong, each mishap timed with a metronome's precision. The final rescue, in which his body suddenly remembers every skill it has failed at, is the film's quiet thesis: grace is what happens when there is something worth running for.

Technical sheet

Director

James W. Horne and Buster Keaton

Year

1927

Country

United States

Running time

65 min

Genre

Drama, Comedy, Romance

Written by

Carl Harbaugh, Bryan Foy

Cinematography

Bert Haines, Devereaux Jennings

Cast

Buster Keaton, Anne Cornwall, Flora Bramley, Harold Goodwin, Snitz Edwards, Carl Harbaugh

Production

Joseph M. Schenck Productions

Music

Newly composed original score

Licensing