The Blacksmith
Buster clowns around in a blacksmith's shop until he and the smithy get in a fight which sends the smithy to jail. Buster helps several customers with horses, then destroys a Rolls Royce while fixing the car parked next to it.
Critics Sentiment
The giant horseshoe becomes magnetized and attracts metal objects
Buster inadvertently destroys the expensive Rolls-Royce automobile
The film recovers from its weakest moment during the car destruction to its peak with the magnetic horseshoe gag.
Critics found The Blacksmith to be minor Keaton, praising the magnetic horseshoe sequence as the standout gag while noting the film felt restrained and less inventive than his typical work. The emphasis on breaking things rather than elaborate physical comedy left many reviewers wanting more, though they appreciated individual moments of cleverness. Most agreed it was pleasant and well-constructed but fell short of Keaton's usual standards for daring and imagination.
Crew
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