The Haunted House (1921)

Keaton's hands are glued to his pockets... don't ask.

Directed by Edward F. Cline and Buster Keaton
Starring Buster Keaton and Virginia Fox
Produced by Joseph M. Schenk Productions

Buster runs the teller window at the local bank, but he's not very good at it.  He tricks the time lock on the vault to help a pretty girl, gets himself caught in the vault door and pours glue all over his hands and the money he's distributing.  The latter incident actually helps foil a bank robbery.  Buster's hands are stuck in his pockets so he cannot "put 'em up," and when he finally tries to give the robbers the loot, it sticks to everyone's hands and feet. 

The robbers make their escape to a house they have rigged to appear haunted and frighten off the police.  Keaton, who is inadvertently blamed for the robbery, escapes and seeks refuge in the same house.  Can Keaton foil the robbers and clear his name?

This is my least favorite Keaton film thus far.  The opening with the glue has a couple of amusing moments, but is repetitive and not particularly inspired.  I did enjoy Keaton's solution for freeing his fellow employee from being glued on the floor.  Other than that, the first half is pretty dull.

The second half which takes place at the "haunted" house is marginally better, but still not as great as One Week or his work with Fatty.  There's an inventive gag with a staircase that turns into a slide, but frankly it's overused and wears out its welcome pretty quickly.  There's an incredible visual of the robbers assembling a body that comes to life that is really a sight to behold. The rest of the gags primarily involve the robbers running around the house in sheets.  Again, some smiles, but not many laughs.

There is a fun coda at the end as Keaton has a near-death experience and ascends the staircase to heaven, only to discover stairs have the same design as the haunted house.  It was a moment I saw coming, but still loved the execution of.

Keaton's previous comedies were funny and relentless.  The Haunted House is more amusing and tedious.  Still, I cannot wait to see more of his work.

**1/2 out of *****