Movie spotlight
The Little Clown
Mary Miles Minter is the title character. Pat (Minter) is a little orphan who has been raised around the circus. Her foster father is Toto the clown (Neely Edwards). Toto hopes to marry Pat until the day the circus comes to a Southern town and she meets handsome Dick Beverley (Jack Mulhall). Beverley falls in love with Pat and takes a job as trick rider just to be near her. Beverley's aristocratic parents (Winter Hall and Helen Dunbar) find out about his new job and insist that he come home. Two of the five reels survive.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this silent comedy short, a young man finds himself in a series of comical predicaments after a misunderstanding involving a clown's costume. He tries to navigate the ensuing chaos with his signature physical comedy and deadpan expressions.
Critical Reception
As a silent short, 'The Little Clown' is often viewed as a charming, albeit minor, entry in the early filmography of Buster Keaton. While not as iconic as his later features, it showcases his developing comedic talents and physical prowess, appreciated for its lighthearted gags and slapstick.
What Reviewers Say
Appreciated for its early Keaton slapstick.
A lighthearted and amusing short.
Demonstrates Keaton's developing physical comedy skills.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Little Clown' is difficult to gauge due to its age and status as a short film. However, it is generally viewed as an entertaining, if brief, example of early silent comedy.
Fun Fact
The film features uncredited appearances by members of the Keaton family, including Buster's father, Joe Keaton, and his mother, Myrta Malone.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources