IMDb RATING
6.9/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
An unimpressive but well intending man is given the chance to marry a popular actress, of whom he has been a hopeless fan. But what he doesn't realize is that he is being used to make the ac... Read allAn unimpressive but well intending man is given the chance to marry a popular actress, of whom he has been a hopeless fan. But what he doesn't realize is that he is being used to make the actress' old flame jealous.An unimpressive but well intending man is given the chance to marry a popular actress, of whom he has been a hopeless fan. But what he doesn't realize is that he is being used to make the actress' old flame jealous.
Jack Byron
- Giovanni Scarzi
- (as John Byron)
Joe Bordeaux
- Rumrunner
- (uncredited)
Ray Cooke
- The Bellboy
- (uncredited)
Mike Donlin
- Man in Ship's Engine Room
- (uncredited)
Pat Harmon
- Tugboat Captain
- (uncredited)
Sydney Jarvis
- Man in Audience Next to Elmer
- (uncredited)
Theodore Lorch
- Actor as 'Union Officer'
- (uncredited)
Hank Mann
- Stage Manager
- (uncredited)
Charles Sullivan
- Tough Sailor
- (uncredited)
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBuster Keaton wanted this film to be a full talkie, but MGM released it with only a musical score and sound effects. One thing that prevented this picture from being a full talkie was that MGM was late to the sound game and had only one full set of recording equipment at the time. Its Loew's Theater chain also was not yet fully equipped to show sound pictures. Plus, MGM's head of production reasoned Keaton's films were made with a lot of time-consuming improvisations and didn't think the added expense of using valuable, scarce sound equipment was worth it.
- GoofsIn the dressing-room, while attempting to trim the hair for his false beard, Elmer accidentally severs the left-hand shoulder strap of his tank-top undershirt and has no time to repair it. When he hurriedly changes back into his smart clothes after the performance, both straps are still whole.
- Quotes
Trilby Drew: What's that blonde hanging around you for?
Lionel Benmore: Can I help it if I'm good-looking?
- Crazy creditsRather than appear at the beginning, the MGM roaring lion opening appears after the conclusion of the film, but just before "The End" title, which immediately follows it.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Arena: Cinema: Christmas Special (1976)
- SoundtracksI'd Rather Be Blue Over You
(uncredited)
Music by Fred Fisher
Lyrics by Billy Rose
Played as background music at the cafe
Featured review
This film is certainly not Buster Keaton's best work, though that's a very high bar. The plot meanders and lacks the charm and spontaneity we love from him. It too often relies on simple pratfalls, and there is not enough time devoted to his playful antics or wild stunts. The middle of the picture in particular is slow, and co-star Dorothy Sebastian acting drunk shows just how hard it is to do physical comedy that is sophisticated and funny, or to create something out of nothing, as Keaton so often does.
With all of that said, 'Spite Marriage' has a 34-year-old Buster Keaton still in his prime, and some pretty clever scenes. He gets enlisted into a stage play in the first part, and after botching up his make-up while another actor puts his on professionally, proceeds to foul up the production in various funny ways. As he tries to elude those chasing him afterwards, he does a rapid change into a top hat and tails that is both entertaining and shows off his muscular body. Later in the film, he does some impressive stuntwork on a yacht, at one point getting thrown off, and then as the yacht goes by quickly, catches a small boat trailing behind and hauls himself into it. Throughout the movie, he's lovable and a joy to watch. This was Keaton's last silent picture, and as the 1930's would not be kind to him, it marks a transition for him. If you can avoid comparing it to his masterpieces (which I know is tough!), you'll probably find it's well worth watching.
With all of that said, 'Spite Marriage' has a 34-year-old Buster Keaton still in his prime, and some pretty clever scenes. He gets enlisted into a stage play in the first part, and after botching up his make-up while another actor puts his on professionally, proceeds to foul up the production in various funny ways. As he tries to elude those chasing him afterwards, he does a rapid change into a top hat and tails that is both entertaining and shows off his muscular body. Later in the film, he does some impressive stuntwork on a yacht, at one point getting thrown off, and then as the yacht goes by quickly, catches a small boat trailing behind and hauls himself into it. Throughout the movie, he's lovable and a joy to watch. This was Keaton's last silent picture, and as the 1930's would not be kind to him, it marks a transition for him. If you can avoid comparing it to his masterpieces (which I know is tough!), you'll probably find it's well worth watching.
- gbill-74877
- Dec 16, 2017
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Matrimonio forzado
- Filming locations
- Hotel Carmel - 201 Broadway St, Santa Monica, California, USA(Lionel confronts Buster outside this hotel on the 2nd Street side - still in business in 2022)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 16 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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