BUSTER KEATON: PAPER 2: Silent Comedy Analysis part 2

 The High Sign

  • early 20th century conventions portrayed accurately - juxtaposition of exterior surroundings of the poor and rich; upper class elderly man and daughter live in rich home with posh furniture and butler working for them but working class men (the blinking buzzards) hideout in basement of shooting range in small enclosed scarcely furnished room. also beginning when Keaton is kicked off of the train, workers traveled around to find work.
  • juxtaposition between tall, supposedly scary and threatening gang members in small enclosed room adds to comedic effect, results in them not seeming so threatening after all. repetition of the gang crowded around small spaces e.g. all of them outside the house looking through the window waiting for Keaton's character to carry out the murder - uses framing to tell us the story
  • house full of moving walls and trap doors, elaborate set design using secret passageways; distorts reality for the audience. shots include multiple floors of the house that cannot be seen realistically, shows audience the whole scene despite being technically unrealistic. wide shots are used to show the entire room to hint at some of the secret passages we later discover 
  • visual gag of Keaton firing the gun, shows audience how bad he is at shooting as he later goes on to cheat using the bell trick which lands him the 'bodyguard' job 
  • costume - Keaton uses hat as prop while in shooting gallery, also distorts reality when he draws a hook on the wall for it, also hats show the villains in the film, tiny Tim has larger hat which shows his authority and leadership, makeup also used to emphasise the audience who the villains are, tiny Tim wearing dark makeup around his eyes to show his shade, making him look more villainous


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