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.

Dem stunts!Keaton is subjectively my favorite. Objectively, Chaplin has him beat by a mile in the pathos department. But I'd still rather watch BK.This movie is great, so much economy in the storytelling, but yet so rich and always engaging.Not my favorite BK film, but the last 15 minutes are almost unparalleled in practical effect movie history. I can't even imagine filming that hill scene with the gear those dudes had.Amazing to think that the tech these guys had and they could create such great story, contrasted to all the advancements in modern film making that produces much dreck.BK4EVA#Keatonzilla

Thursday July 26, 6:30pm, The Uptown, SeattleA lawyer appears at the office of two businessmen on the verge of ruin. "This man has some kind of a legal paper with him!" "Maybe it's a summons!" On the morning of his twenty seventh birthday, Jimmie (Buster Keaton) learns that his grandfather has left him seven million dollars, providing he is married by seven o'clock on the evening of… his twenty seventh birthday. He immediately proposes to his sweetheart, who turns him down. "He said he must wed someone, and it might as well be me!" In a panic, he pops the question to every girl in town and demonstrates why falling asleep in church is always a bad idea.Beginning with a Technicolor surprise, Keaton's Seven Chances includes the most outrageous chase ever filmed on the streets of Los Angeles, with a heart stopping leap across Beale's Cut. Keep an eye out for Jean Arthur's wedding ring!