Old Sawbones

Buster Keaton plays a young doctor who has just graduated and is eager to prove himself. He is sent to a small town where the local doctor is an old, bumbling "sawbones" who is more interested in his fishing than his patients. The young doctor must contend with the old doctor's incompetence and the townspeople's skepticism.

As a short film from the 1930s, "Old Sawbones" is primarily appreciated by fans of Buster Keaton's later work, which often featured a more slapstick-heavy style compared to his silent era masterpieces. It is generally seen as a competent, albeit not groundbreaking, entry in his Columbia Pictures shorts series.

• Fans often praise Keaton's enduring physical comedy, even in his later shorts.

• The film is considered a decent example of the short comedy format of the era.

• Some viewers note a decline in the sophistication of Keaton's humor compared to his silent films.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this particular short, but general sentiment for Keaton's Columbia shorts suggests they are enjoyed by fans for his signature comedic timing and physical performances.

This short film was part of Buster Keaton's series of shorts for Columbia Pictures, made during a period when he was no longer receiving the creative control he had enjoyed during his silent film career.