The Scarecrow (1920)
A classic Buster Keaton silent comedy short packed with ingenious gadgetry, slapstick rivalry, and irresistible charm.
The Scarecrow - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Scarecrow
- Release Year: 1920
- Directed by: Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 19m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 9, 1920 (Canada), December 22, 1920 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Espantapájaros (AR), Frigo na pytackách (SK), Strašilo (SI), キートンの案山子（スケアクロウ） (JP), Madárijesztő (HU), Frigo na námluvách (CZ), Les ruses de Malec (FR), Saltarello e le sue trovate (IT)
- Production Companies: Joseph M. Schenck Productions, Metro Pictures Corporation
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Scarecrow - Plot
Two farmhands compete for the love of the farmer's daughter.
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The Scarecrow - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Edward F. Cline
- Buster Keaton
Main Cast
- Buster Keaton
- Edward F. Cline
- Joe Keaton
- Joe Roberts
- Sybil Seely
- Al St. John
Writers
- Buster Keaton
- Edward F. Cline
The Scarecrow - FAQs
Where can you stream The Scarecrow 1920?
The Scarecrow (1920) is available to stream for free on Kanopy, a library-supported streaming platform. You can also check JustWatch for a full list of viewing options available in your region, including any additional platforms that may carry this classic Buster Keaton short.
What is The Scarecrow 1920 about?
The Scarecrow (1920) follows two farmhands who compete for the affections of a farmer's daughter. The film is celebrated for its ingenious gadget-filled set — a one-room farmhouse where everything folds away — and its inventive physical comedy, showcasing Keaton's signature deadpan brilliance.
What is the famous gadget house in The Scarecrow?
One of the film's most celebrated sequences features a compact farmhouse where everyday objects double as multiple things — a phonograph is also a stove, a bathtub flips into a couch, and the dining table folds into the wall. This ingenious set design became one of Keaton's most iconic early comedy inventions.
Who directed The Scarecrow 1920?
The Scarecrow was co-directed by Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline. The two collaborated on several of Keaton's early short films produced through Joseph M. Schenck Productions, with Cline serving as a frequent creative partner during Keaton's formative years in silent comedy.
Who are the main actors in The Scarecrow?
The Scarecrow stars Buster Keaton as a farmhand, alongside Edward F. Cline, Joe Keaton, Joe Roberts, Sybil Seely as the farmer's daughter, and Al St. John. Sybil Seely was a frequent leading lady in Keaton's early short films during this period.
How long is The Scarecrow 1920?
The Scarecrow (1920) has a runtime of approximately 19 minutes. It is a short silent comedy film, typical of the two-reel format that Buster Keaton and his collaborators used throughout his prolific early career in the silent film era.
Is The Scarecrow 1920 a silent film?
Yes, The Scarecrow (1920) is a silent film with no spoken dialogue. Produced during the height of the silent era, it relies entirely on physical comedy, visual gags, and intertitles to tell its story. The film has no original language dialogue, as was standard for productions of that period.
What are similar movies to The Scarecrow 1920?
If you enjoy The Scarecrow (1920), you may also like other Buster Keaton shorts such as The Play House (1921), Convict 13 (1920), The Haunted House (1921), Cops (1922), The Blacksmith (1922), and The Goat (1921), all of which showcase Keaton's inventive slapstick comedy style.
More About The Scarecrow
Explore further details about this classic Buster Keaton short on these authoritative resources.