The Undertaker
An employee of the funeral home Pleticha calls his superior. He overhears that he is supposed to buy a wedding gift and deliver it to his boss's relatives. He therefore sets off to the given address to organize the funeral. When the mistake is explained, Pleticha, in return for the entertainment, performs dances and songs of various nations for the wedding guests. One of the guests, grandfather Boleslav Hnipírdo, experienced a train collision near Vrňany on his way to Prague. Since he was not injured, he does not even want to ask for compensation. Pleticha takes advantage of this and goes to the railway headquarters with his leg bandaged. He pretends to be Hnipírdo and is questioned in detail about his journey. Thanks to his talkativeness, he reveals, among other things, that he jumped on a moving train, drove illegally, spat on the window and tore off the emergency brake...
Insights
Plot Summary
In this short comedy, a young man works at a funeral parlor and tries to impress a girl by pretending to be a wealthy heir. His elaborate lies lead to a series of comical mishaps, including a botched funeral and a chase involving the police.
Critical Reception
As a short film from the early 1930s, 'The Undertaker' is primarily appreciated for its slapstick humor and Buster Keaton's physical comedy. While not as widely discussed as his feature films, it's seen as a charming example of his work during this transitional period.
What Reviewers Say
- Showcases Buster Keaton's signature physical comedy and deadpan delivery.
- A brief but amusing look at Keaton's early sound work.
- Relies on classic mistaken identity and chase scene tropes.
Google audience: Audience reception for this short is generally positive, with viewers enjoying the straightforward humor and Keaton's reliable comedic timing.
Fun Fact
This short film was one of Buster Keaton's final appearances for Columbia Pictures before he moved on to RKO and later MGM.
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