Movie spotlight
The Adorable Cheat
The daughter of a wealthy industrialist wants to take over the company when her father retires, but the father--an old-fashioned sort who doesn't believe that "girls" belong in business--is planning on leaving the company to her wastrel playboy brother. In order to prove to her dad that she can handle the job, she disguises herself as an ordinary "working girl" and gets a job in her dad's plant. There she meets and falls in love with a clerk. She brings the young man home to meet her folks, but during the evening the family safe is robbed, and all signs point to her new boyfriend.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this short film, a wealthy young woman is forced to pretend she is married to a poor man to avoid pressure from her father to marry a suitor she dislikes. The situation becomes complicated when the man she truly loves reappears, and the two men vie for her attention.
Critical Reception
As a Buster Keaton short from his later MGM period, 'The Adorable Cheat' is often overlooked but is generally considered a charming and well-crafted piece of silent comedy. While not as groundbreaking as his earlier independent works, it showcases his signature physical comedy and deadpan delivery.
What Reviewers Say
A pleasant diversion showcasing Keaton's enduring comedic talents.
Features amusing set pieces and Keaton's characteristic physical humor.
While enjoyable, it doesn't reach the heights of his earlier masterpieces.
Google audience: Audience reception for this specific short is difficult to gauge due to its age and limited release. However, general sentiment for Keaton's shorts of this era often highlights his consistent comedic prowess and the film's lighthearted entertainment value.
Fun Fact
This film is notable for being one of Buster Keaton's few films where he does not perform many of his signature elaborate stunts, likely due to the studio's increased control during this period of his career.
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