Seven Chances (1925)

Let's be realistic.

A Disappointing Continuation

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

They either laugh, show him a wedding ring, a baby, and even a different skin color. One's underage, and another's not even a woman. Each of them gets a proposal from Buster Keaton, about to inherit a huge fortune, as long as he is married by seven that night. It's a simple premise with many funny moments, accelerated by Keaton's strong detail for comedy. But as word gets out, this creates a stampede of anxious money grubbing brides. What results from there is nothing short of genius in the art of film comedy, leading to a long chase sequence and a confrontation with a bunch of rolling rocks, and I don't mean beer. I've always believed that chaos results from the abundance of idiots in large groups, and while I cannot attest to the intelligence of the female crowd, I can show proof of the genius in Keaton through even such simple visuals of watches with different times. The sudden stalking of Keaton by the enraged non- brides is outrageously funny, and when I first saw this years ago in film history class, I was one of several dozen students with sore chests by the time the film was over. At just over 90, this film continues to hold up very well.

Although Charlie Chaplin seems to have been hailed as the silent comedy king, I always liked Buster Keaton a tad bit more. Sure, Chaplin had more heart, but Keaton had more thrills! And "Seven Chances" is certainly no exception. What starts off as a romantic comedy with a witty and simple premise soon morphs into a lengthy, bizarre, and almost surreal chase scene that makes this movie one of the funniest and most creative comedies of all time. Although slapstick and romantic comedies are normally looked down upon in modern cinema, the silent masters knew how to execute these genres with perfection, and Keaton was perhaps the most perfect. The slapstick in this movie isn't just dumb, pointless injury, it's chaotic and complex, as it escalates in insanity and humor, getting funnier and funnier. Half of the film doesn't even contain slapstick, and its still laugh out loud hilarious. Silent comedians may be most well known for their slapstick, but they were also masters of visual, situational comedy, as is evident in much of this movie's running time.If you're ready for an insane, laugh out loud ride, you cannot go much better than this hilarious, and only 50 minute long Keaton classic!

"Seven Chances" contains one of the best and funniest chase sequences ever filmed. Having said that, the film does have some flaws.Beginning with the prologue filmed in two strip Technicolor, which I think was put in there more as a novelty because it serves no useful purpose in respect of the story. All the scenes are filmed at seasonal intervals where Buster Keaton is shown with his leading lady Ruth Dwyer in front of her house, afraid to express his love for her. The early part of the film kind of drags as Buster learns of his inheritance and begins his search for a bride.The story has Financial broker James Shannon (Keaton) and his partner (T. Roy Barnes) whose firm is on the brink of ruin, receiving news of Shannon's inheritance of seven million dollars from the estate of Shannon's grandfather. The news is delivered by the family lawyer (Snitz Edwards). The only proviso is that Shannon must be married by 7PM that very day.First Shannon unsuccessfully proposes to his girl friend Mary Jones (Dwyer). Next the trio (Keaton, Barnes and Edwards) visit their country club where they draft a list of seven (i.e. chances) women that Shannon could ask to marry. Naturally all turn him down unaware of the potential fortune awaiting them.The partner and the lawyer hit upon the idea of advertising for a wife for Shannon in the afternoon newspaper. Then the fun begins. Hordes of prospective brides show up at the church, Shannon flees and................................................The chase sequences at the climax of the film have become legendary. First the brides (where did Keaton get all those extras?) pursue him through the streets of 1925 Los Angeles then Buster accidentally starts a rock slide forcing him to try to outrun the falling rocks. I don't know how fast Buster could run but these scenes are expertly choreographed and are a highlight of Keaton's career. He also manages to throw in an array of patented Keaton sight gags and pratfalls, particularly in the climatic scenes.Highly recommended, particularly for the final third of the film.

This is a charming comedy directed by and starring Buster Keaton. T. Roy Barnes, Snitz Edwards, and Ruth Dwyer have starring roles as well, but Buster is the main attraction.Buster and his partner are brokers who have been duped into a scheme and need money fast. It doesn't matter. Suddenly a lawyer turns up and says Buster will inherit $7,000,000 if he's married by 7:00 PM that day. Fortunately, he's in love, but there's many a slip twixt cup and lip as my grandmother used to say, and we have about an hour and a half of pratfalls, slapstick, and tricks before Buster finally gets the dough. And the girl. And the dog.It's a 1925 movie, so some of the bits are racist, and in one scene he rejects a woman because she's Jewish. The movie is a product of its time, which is a dual-edged sword, I'm sorry to say.The opening scene was shot in Technicolor, and that version is available on Netflix streaming. I understand Jean Arthur, one of my favorite actresses, is the telephone operator, but I did not recognize her.