The Forward Pass
Marty Reid, the star quarterback at Sanford College, is constantly singled out by the opposition for punishment, and he swears to his pal, Honey Smith, and to Coach Wilson that he will quit the game forever. Ed Kirby, who dislikes Reid, calls him yellow, and Wilson gets Patricia Carlyle, the college vamp, to induce Reid to play. At a sorority dance, where only football players can cut in, Kirby persecutes Reid by dancing with Pat, and as a result Reid does apply to play in the game.
Insights
Plot Summary
A shy college student, more interested in books than sports, is pressured by his coach to play football to impress his sweetheart, who is the daughter of the university president. He struggles with the physicality of the game but finds unexpected success, all while navigating the complexities of romance and camaraderie.
Critical Reception
While not one of Buster Keaton's most lauded films, 'The Forward Pass' is generally appreciated for its comedic performances and its exploration of college life in the late 1920s. It's often viewed as a transitional film for Keaton as he navigated the advent of sound in cinema, and it showcases his signature physical comedy within a sports context.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for Buster Keaton's enduring comedic talent and physical gags.
- Appreciated for its glimpse into early 20th-century college sports and social dynamics.
- Seen as a charming, albeit not groundbreaking, entry in Keaton's filmography.
Google audience: Audience reception data for this film is not readily available through generalized Google user review aggregators.
Fun Fact
This film was one of Buster Keaton's first attempts at a talking picture, though it primarily remains a silent film with added synchronized music and sound effects, and only a few spoken lines.
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