The High Sign

The High Sign is a 1921 two-reel silent comedy film starring Buster Keaton, and written and directed by Keaton and Edward F. Cline. Its runtime is 21 minutes. Although One Week (1920) was Keaton's first independent film short released, The High Sign was the first one made. Disappointed with the result, Keaton shelved it and the film was not released until the following year. The title refers to the secret hand signal used by the film's underworld gang.

For the 1917 film of the same name, see The High Sign (1917 film).

The High Sign
Buster gives the titular "high sign"
Directed byEdward F. Cline
Buster Keaton
Written byEdward F. Cline
Buster Keaton
Produced byJoseph M. Schenck
Starring
CinematographyElgin Lessley
Edited byBuster Keaton
Distributed byMetro Pictures
Release date
  • April 12, 1921 (1921-04-12)
Running time
21 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesSilent film
English (original) intertitles

Plot

Keaton plays a drifter who cons his way into working at an amusement park shooting gallery. Believing Keaton is an expert marksman, both the murderous gang the Blinking Buzzards and the man they want to kill end up hiring him. The film ends with a wild chase through a house filled with secret passages and trap doors.

Cast
  • Buster Keaton - Our Hero (as 'Buster' Keaton)
  • Bartine Burkett - Miss Nickelnurser (uncredited)
  • Ingram B. Pickett - Tiny Tim (tall villain) (uncredited)
  • Charles Dorety - Drunk (uncredited)
  • Al St. John - Man in target practice (uncredited)

Production
(L. to r.) Ingram B. Pickett, Keaton, and Bartine Burkett on the set

The High Sign was Keaton's first independent production.[1] In contrast to the "violent slapstick" of the films he had made with Fatty Arbuckle, this short film evinces the "dry and quiet comedy style" which would become Keaton's trademark.[1]

The climactic chase scenes inside the house take place on a split-level, cutaway set with revolving wall panels, trap doors, and hidden corridors in all the rooms.[1] Filming took place at the studios of the Comique Film Corporation recently vacated by Arbuckle.[2] Keaton also began working with Arbuckle's former cinematographer Elgin Lessley and technical director Fred Gabourie, who remained with him until he signed with MGM in 1929.[2]

Release

Though Keaton completed The High Sign a year earlier, he delayed its release because he felt it too closely mimicked Arbuckle's style; he also "thought the gags were too ridiculous and clever for their own sake".[1] The High Sign was released April 4, 1921. At that time, Keaton had broken his ankle while filming the first version of The Electric House and his company needed to market a new film.[1]

Contemporary soundtracks

Guitarist Bill Frisell released a soundtrack to the film in 1995 on his album The High Sign/One Week.[3] The Rats & People Motion Picture Orchestra premiered its new score for the film in 2008. Carl Davis composed an original score in 2017.[4]

See also

References
  1. Keaton & Vance 2001, pp. 66–7.
  2. Eagan, Daniel (2009). "One Week" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  3. Griffith, JT (2021). "Bill Frisell: High Sign/One Week". AllMusic. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  4. "Carl Davis". Faber Music. 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.

Sources
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