Over the Counter

In this short comedy, a naive young man tries to impress a girl by pretending to be a wealthy industrialist. His elaborate charade involves a series of increasingly comical misunderstandings and near-discoveries. He goes to great lengths to maintain the illusion, leading to a chaotic and ultimately revealing climax.

As a short subject from the early 1930s, 'Over the Counter' received minimal critical attention upon its release, primarily appearing as a B-movie or short filler in cinema programs. Modern reception focuses on its historical value as an early Buster Keaton performance outside of his major silent features, noting its slapstick humor and the limitations of the studio system at the time.

• A minor, yet amusing, early sound short featuring Buster Keaton.

• Relies heavily on Keaton's physical comedy despite the limitations of sound.

• A simple plot that serves as a vehicle for gags.

Google audience: Audience reception is scarce for this early short, but where it is discussed, it's generally seen as a lighthearted diversion with a notable performance from Buster Keaton.

While often billed as a Buster Keaton film, 'Over the Counter' was actually a short produced by Educational Pictures, where Keaton made several appearances during a period when his feature film career was winding down.