Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Battling Butler

Battling Butler is a film directed by and starring as Alfred Butler, a wealthy but effete young man who embarks on a hunting trip in rural , where a case of with a professional boxer forces him into a series of comedic and athletic challenges to win the heart of his love interest. The film, produced by Buster Keaton Productions and distributed by , runs approximately 74 minutes and features a supporting cast including as the mountain girl, as Keaton's valet, and as the titular boxer. Adapted from a 1923–1924 musical comedy by Stanley Brightman and Austin Melford, with screenplay contributions from Paul Gerard Smith, Al Boasberg, and Charles Henry Smith, it showcases Keaton's signature humor, physical stunts, and themes of through . Released on September 19, , Battling Butler was one of Keaton's biggest commercial successes, grossing over $774,000 domestically, and he later cited it as a personal favorite among his independent features for its knockabout energy and athletic feats, including a climactic match filmed at the Olympic Auditorium in . Despite its box-office appeal, the film has received mixed modern reception, praised for Keaton's directing prowess and stunt work but sometimes critiqued for its formulaic compared to his more innovative works like The General.

Story and Style

Plot Summary

Alfred Butler, a wealthy and effeminate young man from a privileged , is sent by his father on a rugged hunting trip in the mountains to toughen him up, accompanied by his loyal who ensures his every comfort in a luxurious tent setup. While there, Alfred encounters a spirited mountain girl named , played by , and instantly falls in love with her during a chance meeting by a stream. To win her affection and the approval of her rough-and-tumble , who value strength and , Alfred's impulsively claims that Alfred is actually Alfred "Battling" Butler, a well-known professional preparing for a championship bout, capitalizing on the coincidence of their shared name. Impressed by this revelation, Dorothy's consents to the marriage, and Alfred, now committed to the deception, weds her shortly thereafter. As the ruse continues, must maintain the pretense of being a , leading him to join the actual of the real "Battling" Butler, a formidable contender portrayed by . Under the grueling regimen, including Buster Keaton's signature in the training sequences, endures painful and humorous ordeals like , , and , gradually building unexpected resilience while dodging direct confrontations with the real fighter. Escalating mix-ups occur when the genuine Battling Butler discovers the impersonation and, fueled by rivalry and personal slights—such as 's accidental intrusion into his personal life, including jealousy over perceived interest in the real Butler's wife—arranges for to fight "The Alabama Murderer" under the "Battling Butler" name to humiliate and expose him. The real , seeking revenge, intervenes dramatically during the bout, turning it into a chaotic spectacle. The climactic boxing match unfolds at , where , initially relying on scripted dodges against "The Alabama Murderer," faces betrayal when the real Battling Butler enters the ring unannounced and attacks him viciously, shattering the facade. Enraged by the personal affront, taps into authentic fighting spirit and defeats his opponent in a genuine display of prowess, winning the fight outright. In the resolution, confesses his to and her family, who forgive him upon witnessing his bravery, leading to a strengthened bond and their happy marriage.

Themes and Techniques

Battling Butler explores themes of class disparity through the Butler's navigation of social worlds, contrasting his privileged, effete lifestyle with the rough, working-class realm of . , a wealthy but pampered young man, inadvertently assumes the of a sharing his name, forcing him to confront the expectations of a lower-class environment to maintain his facade and win his love interest. This setup underscores the film's commentary on and the artificial barriers between classes, as 's deception highlights how appearances can bridge or exacerbate divides. Central to the narrative is the theme of , particularly the facade of toughness that Alfred must adopt to prove his worth. Initially portrayed as fragile and inept, Alfred's journey involves embracing a hyper-masculine in the , symbolizing a transformation from passive observer to active participant in proving manhood. The film critiques traditional notions of by revealing Alfred's growth as stemming from necessity rather than innate strength, ultimately affirming that true lies in adaptability rather than . The hunting trip serves as a for this personal growth, thrusting Alfred into a rugged outdoor setting that exposes his vulnerabilities while igniting his romance and resolve to change. Keaton employs his signature humor throughout, with Alfred's stone-faced reactions amplifying the of his predicaments and maintaining a dignified poise amid . This technique heightens the comedic tension, especially in escalating physical gags during the scenes, where rhythmic punches and delayed responses build from awkward to intense confrontations, showcasing Keaton's precise timing and athleticism. Ironic contrasts between Alfred's inherent fragility and the unforgiving world are accentuated through long takes in training montages, which linger on his futile efforts to mimic tough routines, emphasizing the humor in his earnest but mismatched endeavors. These elements culminate in the , where thematic resolutions of class and unfold through Keaton's masterful blend of visual irony and .

Production

Development and Origins

The 1926 silent comedy film Battling Butler originated from the 1923 Broadway musical Battling Buttler, a three-act production with music by Walter L. Rosemont, book and lyrics by Ballard MacDonald, and based on an earlier British musical play by Stanley Brightman and Austin Melford, with lyrics by Douglas Furber. The musical premiered on October 8, 1923, at the Selwyn Theatre in and ran for 313 performances until its closure on July 5, 1924, starring Charles Ruggles in the lead role as the mild-mannered protagonist who assumes a boxer's identity. This stage success provided a foundational narrative of and unlikely heroism, which recognized as fertile ground for adaptation into a visual medium emphasizing physical stunts over the original's musical elements. Keaton acquired the film rights to Battling Buttler through his production company, Productions, viewing the story's premise—a pampered impersonating a prizefighter—as an ideal vehicle for his signature athleticism and escalating sight gags. Initially conceived in 1925 as part of Keaton's series of self-financed features, the project aligned with his creative autonomy during this period, prior to full integration with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's distribution network, which handled the film's release the following year. Under Keaton's oversight, the adaptation shifted focus from the musical's songs and dialogue-driven humor to heightened , including an extended sequence absent from the stage version, where the climactic fight was merely implied to avoid logistical challenges. Script development involved Keaton's direct input alongside credited writers Paul Gerard Smith, Al Boasberg, Charles H. Smith, and Lex Neal, prioritizing kinetic action sequences to amplify the protagonist's transformation through pratfalls, chases, and combat realism. To ensure authenticity in the fight scenes, Keaton consulted professional boxer Mickey Walker and drew on his own vaudeville-honed precision, resulting in that showcased geometric precision and endurance rather than the production's lighter, song-interrupted tone. This reorientation transformed the source material into a streamlined , copyrighted by Productions on August 30, 1926, just before its premiere.

Casting

Buster Keaton stars in the lead role as Alfred Butler, a pampered and timid millionaire who inadvertently assumes the identity of the prizefighter "Battling Butler" to win the affection of his love interest. Keaton's portrayal emphasizes his signature deadpan stoicism and physical prowess, blending comedic vulnerability with athletic precision to heighten the film's contrast between high society fragility and the raw intensity of the boxing world. This casting choice underscores the movie's tone of mistaken identity and underdog triumph, allowing Keaton to explore themes of masculinity through restrained elegance rather than overt bravado. Sally O'Neil portrays the "Mountain Girl," Alfred's spirited fiancée from a rugged rural background, whose lively and feisty demeanor provides a dynamic to Keaton's impassive restraint. At age 18 and on loan from , O'Neil drew on her roots as "Chotsie Noonan" to infuse the character with energetic charm and independence, enhancing the romantic tension and injecting vitality into the narrative's more subdued moments. Her selection helped balance the film's comedic elements with genuine emotional warmth, making the love story a credible anchor amid the escalating . Walter James plays the Mountain Girl's father, embodying a stern and authoritative who demands proof of a suitor's mettle through displays of . James, known for his imposing presence in silent-era supporting roles, brings to the figure of traditional , amplifying the on Alfred and reinforcing the film's exploration of and expectations. His as the no-nonsense influences the tone by grounding the absurdity in familial stakes, compelling the toward his transformative . The supporting cast includes as Mike, Alfred's loyal valet, whose pint-sized, expressive antics serve as a comedic foil and unwavering ally throughout the misadventures. Edwards, a Hungarian-born often cast in eccentric roles, delivers a heartfelt portrayal that adds layers of devotion and humor to the proceedings. Mary O'Brien appears as the wife of the real "Battling Butler," whose presence heightens the conflict, while takes on the role of the actual "Battling Butler," the arrogant champion whose arrival escalates the conflict and forces the climax. McDonald's rugged physicality as the real boxer lends credibility to the pugilistic confrontations, sharpening the film's satirical edge on identity and bravado. Casting decisions prioritized authenticity in the boxing sequences, with Keaton personally training under welterweight champion Mike "Kid" to ensure realistic depictions of fights and preparation. This approach, including the use of genuine pugilistic techniques in the ring scenes, contributed to the film's convincing blend of and , distinguishing it from more fantastical silent-era efforts.

Filming

Principal photography for Battling Butler took place from February to April 1926, spanning approximately under the production banner of Productions. Filming occurred at several key Los Angeles-area sites to capture the film's contrasting urban and rural settings. The opulent mansion sequences were shot at the Talmadge Apartments on 3278 . The climactic boxing ring scenes utilized the newly opened Olympic Auditorium at 1801 South Grand Avenue, where the production incorporated a large crowd of extras to simulate a live prizefight atmosphere. For the hunting and camping sequences, the crew traveled to the region near Bakersfield and Kernville, allowing Keaton to depict the protagonist's inept outdoor exploits amid natural foothills. Buster Keaton directed the film himself, emphasizing his signature approach to through practical performed without edits or doubles, which occasionally led to injuries and production delays. was handled by J. Devereux Jennings and Haines, who managed the challenges of lighting both interior luxury shots and exterior action sequences. A notable logistical hurdle involved choreographing the fight scenes with professional and stunt performers at the Auditorium, ensuring realistic pugilistic action while protecting Keaton during intense ring work. During a break in July 1926, while scouting locations in Cottage Grove, Oregon, for his next project The General, Keaton arranged a preview screening of Battling Butler for local residents on July 3, drawing capacity crowds to the town's theater. This informal test helped gauge audience reactions to the comedy's physical demands, including Keaton's grueling training regimen for the boxing portrayal.

Release

Premiere and Distribution

Buster Keaton's Battling Butler had its world premiere in a limited release on August 2, 1926, distributed by , beginning with an opening in during the week of August 3. The film expanded to on August 22, 1926, before its general U.S. release on September 19, 1926. MGM marketed Battling Butler as a signature comedy feature, emphasizing his humor and athletic stunts in promotional materials. As a , it relied on English intertitles for dialogue and narrative progression, a standard technique for the era. Screenings typically featured live orchestral scores performed by theater musicians to enhance the comedic timing and emotional beats. The international rollout commenced in late 1926, with releases in —such as on December 26—and extending to in subsequent months through MGM's global network. In 2019, Cohen Media Group organized a limited theatrical re-release on to mark the film's enduring appeal, screening restored prints with new musical accompaniment in select venues.

Performance

Battling Butler achieved significant commercial success upon its release, marking one of 's strongest performers during the silent era. The film capitalized on Keaton's rising popularity following the success of The Navigator (), which had established him as a major draw for comedy features. Distributed by , Battling Butler generated estimated domestic rentals of approximately $774,000, translating to a domestic gross of around $1.5 million based on typical industry splits of the period where theaters returned about half of ticket sales to distributors. This figure contributed substantially to the profitability of Buster Keaton Productions, his independent outfit at the time. The film's strong initial performance was bolstered by Keaton's star power and the appeal of its boxing-themed comedy, which resonated with audiences amid a wave of sports-related entertainments in cinema. However, while it outperformed several contemporaries in the genre, such as Go West (1925), it surpassed the rentals achieved by Sherlock Jr. (1924) within Keaton's own filmography, though adjusted for inflation, modern estimates place Battling Butler higher at roughly $81 million equivalent. earnings further enhanced its overall returns, helping to ensure a healthy for the before Keaton's transition to full control in 1928.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Upon its release in 1926, Battling Butler received generally positive notices from contemporary critics, who praised 's and precise timing, particularly in the film's fight and training sequences. In , reviewer Mordaunt Hall described the film as a "typical " filled with "numerous novel wheezes," highlighting Keaton's imperturbable expression and athletic prowess that elicited "shrieks of delight" and "applause and laughter of no mean volume" from audiences during its Theatre screening. Hall noted the originality and wit in scenes of the protagonist's preparation, underscoring Keaton's success as a "screen fun-maker" in delivering hilarious, fast-moving . Variety echoed this enthusiasm for Keaton's performance, commending his "frozen pan" facial rigidity and ability to generate "an abundance of laughs out of pure gag stuff," while crediting him for directing the feature. The review appreciated the supporting elements, including the romantic circumstances forcing the meek lead into a and subsequent antics, which added layers to the comedy. Audience reception aligned closely with critical acclaim, proving strong among comedy enthusiasts who enjoyed the film's blend of and sentiment during live screenings. Cinema Art affirmed Keaton's enduring appeal, stating simply that he remained "as funny as anybody in town" with Battling Butler. The picture's appeal in theaters was enhanced by its energetic pacing and the visceral thrill of the climax, which captivated viewers in an era of exhibitions accompanied by live orchestras.

Modern Assessments

In modern critical reevaluations, Battling Butler has garnered positive retrospective assessments, particularly for its showcase of Buster Keaton's and innovative fight sequences. On , the film holds an 85% approval rating based on 13 reviews, with critics praising its "dynamic and funny scenes" and one of the "funniest fight scenes ever filmed" as highlights of Keaton's athleticism. Audience platforms reflect similar appreciation: users rate it 7.0 out of 10 from 4,305 votes as of November 2025, while averages 3.6 out of 5 from 7,240 ratings, often noting its charm despite a more conventional plot compared to Keaton's bolder works. Scholars position Battling Butler as an underrated entry in Keaton's canon, valued for its box office success that funded later masterpieces like The General, though it is frequently overshadowed by his more experimental films. Keaton himself regarded it as his personal favorite among his features, citing its blend of humor and heartfelt progression. Academic analyses, such as in Joanna E. Rapf and Gary L. Green's Buster Keaton: A Bio-Bibliography (1995), catalog its production context and reception, emphasizing its role in Keaton's independent era. The film's enduring appeal is evident in recent restorations and screenings, such as the 2018 Silent Film Festival presentation of a newly restored print accompanied by a live score from the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, which drew acclaim for revitalizing its visual gags and athletic sequences. In 2025, it was screened as part of the Summer Silent Film Series in Wilton, , where audiences praised its timeless comedy and stunt work. A July 2025 review highlighted it as a "knockout" in Keaton's oeuvre, affirming its status as his personal favorite. These events underscore a shift from contemporary reviews—where some faulted its sentimentality—to 21st-century views celebrating its technical precision and thematic depth.

Legacy and Availability

Cultural Impact

Battling Butler has left a lasting mark on the genre of sports comedies, particularly through its portrayal of the unlikely who rises to the challenge through sheer determination and circumstance. The film's narrative of a pampered masquerading as a prizefighter to win his beloved's affection established a template for comedic tales that emphasized physical humor and improbable triumphs over brute strength. This trope of the reluctant fighter finding inner resolve echoes in later works, notably influencing the staging and choreography of boxing sequences in Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull (1980), where Scorsese drew directly from Keaton's realistic yet comically exaggerated fight scenes to capture the rhythm and intensity of the ring. Buster Keaton himself regarded Battling Butler as one of his personal favorites among his films, often citing its heartfelt conclusion where the protagonist's genuine courage shines through the facade, blending humor with emotional depth in a way that resonated with him. In interviews and reflections, Keaton highlighted the ending's sincerity as a standout element, distinguishing it from more purely gag-driven efforts and underscoring his appreciation for stories that balanced comedy with human vulnerability. This personal endorsement has contributed to the film's reevaluation as an underrated gem in Keaton's oeuvre, emphasizing its role in showcasing his ability to infuse with subtle . As a product of the late silent era, Battling Butler exemplifies the transitional pressures on Keaton's career amid his growing association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Distributed by MGM while still produced under Keaton's independent banner, the film marked the beginning of the studio's influence, which soon escalated after the relative commercial disappointment of his follow-up The General (1926). This shift culminated in Keaton's 1928 contract with MGM, where the studio's rigid factory-like system severely curtailed his creative autonomy, contributing to his struggles during the advent of talkies and the decline of his directorial control. The film's entry into the on January 1, 2022, as part of the 1926 expirations, has significantly enhanced its accessibility, allowing free distribution and remixing in digital spaces. This status has spurred renewed in online communities, where clips from the boxing sequences have circulated as GIFs and short videos, integrating Keaton's timeless into contemporary and memes that celebrate underdog .

Preservation and Home Media

Battling Butler entered the in the United States on January 1, 2022, due to its original 1926 publication date, enabling unrestricted digital distribution and reproductions worldwide where applicable. This status has facilitated widespread free access to , including high-quality uploads on platforms like , where versions have been available since at least 2020. Key restorations include a 1999 DVD release by , which paired the film with shorts The Frozen North (1922) and The Haunted House (1921), sourced from period prints to preserve its visual clarity. More recently, in 2019, Cohen Media Group oversaw a by the Cineteca di Bologna's L'Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory, utilizing multiple 35mm elements for enhanced detail and color grading, resulting in Blu-ray and digital editions. Archival holdings ensure the film's longevity, with prints maintained by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, which has presented restored versions in screenings. Restored versions typically run 74 minutes, reflecting complete narratives without the cuts common in earlier circulating copies. As of 2025, the film streams for free on services like , alongside downloads from the , where HD editions with musical scores are hosted. These options complement commercial releases, broadening access to Keaton's work.

References

  1. [1]
    Battling Butler - The Criterion Channel
    Cited by Buster Keaton as one of his personal favorites among his own films, this knockabout adaptation of a Broadway play revolves around a case of mistaken ...
  2. [2]
    Battling Butler - San Francisco Silent Film Festival
    DirectorBuster Keaton CountryUnited States Year1926 Runtime74 CastBuster Keaton, Sally O'Neil, Snitz Edwards, and Francis MacDonald
  3. [3]
    Battling Butler - Cohen Media Group
    Al Boasberg, Writer. Lex Neal, Writer. Gallery. Other Data. Country United States of America. Original Language English. Year Completed 1926. FOLLOW US ON ...
  4. [4]
    Battling Butler (1926) - IMDb
    Rating 7/10 (4,304) Buster Keaton stars as Alfred Butler, spoiled young man from rich family. His father sends him into mountains for hunting and fishing trip to 'make a man' out ...
  5. [5]
    Battling Butler - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 85% (13) Meek millionaire Alfred Butler (Buster Keaton) goes on a camping excursion with his faithful servant (Snitz Edwards).
  6. [6]
    Movie Review – Battling Butler - Fernby Films
    Apr 17, 2019 · Alfred assumes to role of “boxer” and even attends training at Battling Butler's camp, where he inadvertently becomes a real boxer and convinces ...Missing: summary - | Show results with:summary -
  7. [7]
    Buster Keaton: The General, Steamboat Bill Jr., and Battling Butler
    His new self suggests a type of masculinity that strengthens the effeminate genteel man by revealing that behind the genteel is an even more powerful physical ...Missing: analysis | Show results with:analysis
  8. [8]
    Buster Keaton's Cinematic Comedy, Deleuze's Recursion Function ...
    Oct 28, 2004 · ... Battling Butler, the narrative is complicated by Keaton pretending to operate under the sign of someone he is not. This overwhelming ...
  9. [9]
    [PDF] Comedy Incarnate
    This book focused primarily on an in-depth analysis of Buster Keaton's ... Battling Butler (Keaton), 50, 165. Bazin, André, 77–8, 81, 134. Beecher, Henry ...
  10. [10]
    [PDF] Keaton: Film Acting as Action | Cambridge Core
    Battling Butler. Here, Keaton, as Alfred Butler, tries his hand at fisticuffs. A professional trainer instructs Butler to watch him. He will make the ...
  11. [11]
    Buster Keaton Blu-rays (Web Exclusive) - Cineaste Magazine
    ... Keaton), and Battling Butler (1926, Keaton). In each of these films, Keaton ... Maintaining his usual theme of an unassuming character's ultimate achievement, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  12. [12]
    Battling Buttler – Broadway Musical – Original - IBDB
    Music by Walter L. Rosemont; Lyrics by Ballard MacDonald; Book by Ballard MacDonald; Based on the original by Brightman, Melford and Furber; Musical ...Missing: Butler | Show results with:Butler
  13. [13]
    Battling Butler - Silent Era : Progressive Silent Film List
    Oct 24, 2024 · Battling Butler (1926) United States of America B&W : Seven reels / 6970 feet. Directed by Buster Keaton. Cast: Buster Keaton [Alfred Butler] ...
  14. [14]
    AFI|Catalog
    Battling Butler (1926). Comedy | August 1926. Cast: Buster Keaton, Sally O'Neil, Snitz Edwards [ More ]. Director: Buster Keaton. Cinematographer: Bert Haines ...
  15. [15]
    Battling Butler (1926) - Filming & production - IMDb
    Buster Keaton in Battling Butler (1926). Filming & production. Battling Butler ... Filming dates. Feb 1926 - Apr 1926. Production dates. It looks like we ...Missing: principal photography
  16. [16]
    Battling Butler | Chaplin-Keaton-Lloyd film locations (and more)
    Jan 20, 2014 · Key scenes took place in the newly opened Olympic Auditorium, still standing at 18th and Grand in downtown Los Angeles.Missing: production details
  17. [17]
    Battling Butler: Buster Keaton's Silent Comedy Steps into the Ring
    Jul 25, 2025 · Alfred Butler (Buster Keaton) is a pampered rich kid and a disappointment to his gruff father, who sends him on a rugged outdoor retreat to make ...Missing: plot summary
  18. [18]
    Battling Butler (1926) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Cast ; Buster Keaton in Our Hospitality (1923). Buster Keaton · Alfred Butler -posing as Battling Butler ; Snitz Edwards in The Phantom of the Opera (1925). Snitz ...Missing: principal roles
  19. [19]
    How Buster Keaton films inspired Raging Bull - The Grueling Truth
    The fight scenes in Battling Butler were filmed at the just-opened Olympic Auditorium, setting a historic precedent followed by a slew of other boxing movies ...
  20. [20]
    Buster Keaton brought Hollywood to Cottage Grove | #ORhistory
    Sep 22, 2024 · He'd just come off of releasing Battling Butler, which was his biggest movie success yet, so he had a tough act to follow. That's when he ...
  21. [21]
    Battling Butler (1926) - Release info - IMDb
    Release date ; United States. August 2, 1926 ; United States. August 22, 1926 ; Canada. September 13, 1926 ; United States. September 19, 1926 ; Sweden. December 26, ...Missing: international Europe
  22. [22]
    "Battling Butler" (1926) - with film - Silent Hall of Fame
    "Battling Butler" is a sparkling comedy starring Buster Keaton and featuring our star Snitz Edwards. PLEASE NOTE: The review posted below contains spoilers.
  23. [23]
    The General (1926) - A Shroud of Thoughts
    Oct 4, 2011 · The General only grossed $474,264, $300,000 less than Mr. Keaton's previous film, The Battling Butler (1926). Its negative cost alone was ...
  24. [24]
    The Commercial Success of Buster Keaton's Features
    Feb 13, 2018 · The two films based on stage plays were successful, with Seven Chances grossing almost $73M in today's dollars and Battling Butler grossing $81M ...
  25. [25]
    THE SCREEN; Mr. Keaton Again. - The New York Times
    A typical Buster Keaton farce with numerous novel wheezes now is at the Capitol. It is launched under the title of "Battling Butler," an idea of the plot ...
  26. [26]
    Film Review: Battling Butler - Variety
    Film Review: Battling Butler. Production: Keaton/M-G-M. Director Buster Keaton; Screenplay Paul Gerard Smith, Al Boasberg, Charles Smith, Lex Neal; Camera ...
  27. [27]
    [PDF] Cinema Art (November 1926) - The Cutters Guide
    Lillian Gish gives a beauti- ful performance as the little Puritan seam- stress. BATTLING BUTLER—Buster Keaton is still as funny as anybody in town. BEAU ...
  28. [28]
    Battling Butler (1926) - Buster Keaton - Letterboxd
    Rating 3.6 (7,230) Battling Butler is a comedy film directed by Buster Keaton, based on the musical of the same name by Stanley Brightman and Austin Melford.<|control11|><|separator|>
  29. [29]
    https://archive.org/download/cinemaart-1926-11/cinemaart-1926-11.pdf
  30. [30]
    Buster Keaton : a bio-bibliography : Rapf, Joanna E - Internet Archive
    Aug 27, 2020 · Buster Keaton : a bio-bibliography. by: Rapf, Joanna E. Publication date: 1995. Topics: Keaton, Buster, 1895-1966, Keaton, Buster, 1895-1966 ...
  31. [31]
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0016630/trivia
  32. [32]
    [PDF] Introduction The Heritage and Legacy of Raging Bull
    Naturally, Raging Bull owes an important debt to the heritage of the boxing film genre. Take Buster Keaton's Battling Butler (1926), for example. Scorsese has ...
  33. [33]
    Martin Scorsese's 'Raging Bull' Found Inspiration in a Buster Keaton ...
    Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull was influenced by an unlikely predecessor – Buster Keaton's boxing comedy, Battling Butler.
  34. [34]
    Battling Butler - Wexner Center for the Arts
    Keaton plays a rich dandy who must pretend to be a fearsome boxer in order to win the love of a country girl. Keaton's favorite of all his films!<|control11|><|separator|>
  35. [35]
    Part 3: The Worst Mistake - The International Buster Keaton Society
    Unfortunately, Keaton was an anomaly at MGM: he was the studio's first real comic and the only star who came to MGM with an expectation of creative independence ...
  36. [36]
    Happy Public Domain Day 2022!
    Dec 31, 2021 · ... musical called Battling Buttler by Walter L. Rosemont and Ballard MacDonald in which a man pretends to be a championship boxer whom he ...Missing: Broadway | Show results with:Broadway
  37. [37]
    File:Battling Butler (1926).webm - Wikimedia Commons
    Mar 5, 2022 · This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published (or registered with the U.S. Copyright Office) before January 1, ...Missing: entry | Show results with:entry
  38. [38]
    Battling Butler (Keaton, 1926) — High Quality 1080p - YouTube
    Aug 6, 2020 · This is a fully high definition copy of Buster Keaton's comedy, starring Keaton and Sally O'Neil. I do not own the rights to the film, ...
  39. [39]
    Battling Butler / The Frozen North / The Haunted House [DVD]
    30-day returnsThe greatest box office success of all his independent comedies, ``Battling Butler'' (1926, 71 min.) is a rarely seen gem that mingles Buster Keaton's deadpan ...
  40. [40]
    Arts feature: Cinema Revival - Columbus Monthly
    Feb 20, 2019 · “Battling Butler” follows a slate of four Laurel and Hardy films, presented courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Scott MacQueen ...
  41. [41]
    Watch Battling Butler (1926) - Free Movies - Tubi
    A story revolving around a case of mistaken identity between two Alfred Butlers—one an effete millionaire, and the other a heavyweight champion.Missing: YouTube Internet Archive
  42. [42]
    Battling Butler (1926) HD with score : Buster Keaton - Internet Archive
    Jan 18, 2021 · Meek millionaire Alfred Butler goes on a camping excursion with his faithful servant. Once in the wilderness, Alfred ignores outdoor activities.