Buster Keaton stars as Alfred Butler, who is from a wealthy family and used to the finer things in life. His father decides to send Alfred on a hunting and fishing trip in the mountains "to make a man of him". Alfred's faithful valet escorts him on his trip. And so Alfred goes glamping, with his valet seeing to his needs as he does at the Butler mansion.
Going hunting, Alfred nearly kills a young girl - simply referred to as the Mountain Girl - and then becomes smitten with her. Only, her father and brother sees him as a weakling, and they have no room for weaklings in their family.
When Alfred's valet notices a boxer in the paper by the name of Alfred "Battling" Butler, he decides to convince the girl and her family Alfred is the boxer. Only, when the actual boxer wins and becomes champion, Alfred must now train to be a boxer to convince the girl he is the boxer who will be fighting in a big match. So, the film becomes a case of mistaken identity, and this is only just the beginning of Alfred's adventures - or rather, misadventures!
Although there were many funny moments and Buster Keaton portrayed another trademark stone-faced character, I didn't find it as laugh-out-funny as his other work. Therefore, 'Battling Butler' is one of my least favourite of Buster's full length films during his 20's silent movie era. Having said that, this is still a funny movie well worth watching.
Going hunting, Alfred nearly kills a young girl - simply referred to as the Mountain Girl - and then becomes smitten with her. Only, her father and brother sees him as a weakling, and they have no room for weaklings in their family.
When Alfred's valet notices a boxer in the paper by the name of Alfred "Battling" Butler, he decides to convince the girl and her family Alfred is the boxer. Only, when the actual boxer wins and becomes champion, Alfred must now train to be a boxer to convince the girl he is the boxer who will be fighting in a big match. So, the film becomes a case of mistaken identity, and this is only just the beginning of Alfred's adventures - or rather, misadventures!
Although there were many funny moments and Buster Keaton portrayed another trademark stone-faced character, I didn't find it as laugh-out-funny as his other work. Therefore, 'Battling Butler' is one of my least favourite of Buster's full length films during his 20's silent movie era. Having said that, this is still a funny movie well worth watching.