Our Hospitality (1923)

100% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(3,059 ratings)

Buster Keaton's third starring feature (discounting 1920's The Saphead, which was not conceived with Keaton in mind), Our Hospitality is a boisterous satire of family feuds and Southern codes of honor. In 1831, Keaton leaves his home in New York to take charge of his family mansion down South. En… More Buster Keaton's third starring feature (discounting 1920's The Saphead, which was not conceived with Keaton in mind), Our Hospitality is a boisterous satire of family feuds and Southern codes of honor. In 1831, Keaton leaves his home in New York to take charge of his family mansion down South. En route, Keaton befriends pretty Natalie Talmadge (Keaton's real-life wife at the time), who invites him to dine at her family home. Upon meeting Talmadge's father and brothers, Keaton learns that he is the last surviving member of a family with whom Talmadge's kin have been feuding for over 20 years. The brothers are all for killing Keaton on the spot, but Talmadge's father (Joe Roberts) insists that the rules of hospitality be observed: so long as Keaton is a guest in the house, he will not be harmed. Thus, Keaton spends the next few reels alternately planning to sneak out of the mansion without being noticed, and contriving to remain within its walls as long as possible. The dilemma is resolved when Keaton rescues Talmadge from a raging waterfall (a dummy stood in for Talmadge; Keaton used no doubles, and nearly lost his life as a result). Beyond the brilliant sight gags in the closing scenes, the most memorable sequence in Our Hospitality is the bumpy train ride taken by Keaton and Talmadge in an 1831-vintage Stephenson Rocket. This 7-reel silent film represents the only joint appearance of Buster Keaton and Natalie Talmadge; Keaton hoped that by spending several weeks on location with his wife, he could patch up their shaky marriage (it didn't work). Also appearing in Our Hospitality are two other members of the Keaton family: Keaton's ex-vaudevillian father Joe (who performs an eye-popping "high kick") and his son Joseph Keaton IV, playing Buster as a baby. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Buster Keaton Jr., John G. Blystone
Written By: Clyde Bruckman, Jean C. Havez, Jean Havez, Joseph Mitchell
Genres: Kids & Family, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1923 Wide
On DVD: Apr 28, 1998

Critic Reviews

Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
A solid, contextualized presentation of a pivotal work by an ambitious comic with a gift for visual poetry.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Buster Keaton's second feature as an independent is a gem.
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Consistently hilarious, highly watchable Keaton classic.
Dan Jardine, Cinemania
Sherlock Jr. is Keaton's signature statement, and mind-warping flight of fancy on the dreamlike nature of films and the fluid nature of our ontological existence.
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Two great classic silent comedies
Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide
Keaton's first feature-length comedy is one of his best, a comic gem set against a backdrop of a Hatfield-McCoy style family feud.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Prime Keaton.
Dan Lybarger, Lawrence Journal-World
Two of the Great Stoneface's funniest and most imaginitve movies.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
Keaton's physical acting highlights Our Hospitality, and he demonstrates his directing skills with a great sense of pacing and timing

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

Keaton gets in the middle of a family feud, hilarity ensues.
Wahida K

In the Nineteenth Century, there is a feud between the McKay and Canfield families in the country of the United States of America. When John McKay is killed, his wife sends their one years old baby Willie to New York to be raised by her sister. Twenty years later, Willie McKay (Buster… More
In the Nineteenth Century, there is a feud between the McKay and Canfield families in the country of the United States of America. When John McKay is killed, his wife sends their one years old baby Willie to New York to be raised by her sister. Twenty years later, Willie McKay (Buster Keaton) returns to claim for his family state. Along the train travels, he meets a young lady and they fall in love for each other. However, she is the youngest Canfield and her family has not forgotten the quarrel against the McKays.
Matthew Y

This film is underrated not because it is not well respected or loved, but because it does not get the "greatest comedy of all time" buzz that it deserves. Every bit as good as The General (even has a little train humor) with a marginally better storyline and supporting… More
This film is underrated not because it is not well respected or loved, but because it does not get the "greatest comedy of all time" buzz that it deserves. Every bit as good as The General (even has a little train humor) with a marginally better storyline and supporting characters. The sight gags are top notch but it's the quirky humor of the unspoken southern hospitality rules that Keaton's family rivals must honor that adds to the films charm. Don't blink or you'll miss the fantastic waterfall rescue at the end.
Chris B

"Our Hospitality" is an epic scale Keaton film that runs at 75 minutes and employees the use of many sets and all adds up to a wonderful adventure with Keaton touch. The film is directed and stars Buster Keaton but also stars his at the time wife, father (who performs the… More
"Our Hospitality" is an epic scale Keaton film that runs at 75 minutes and employees the use of many sets and all adds up to a wonderful adventure with Keaton touch. The film is directed and stars Buster Keaton but also stars his at the time wife, father (who performs the insane high kick knocking a hat off a man), and his son as a baby Keaton in the film. Our Hospitality is one of the most liked and acclaimed Buster Keaton works and is widely considered a masterpiece. The train tracks are hilariously constructed and the trip back home is one filled with crazy antics and all sorts of trouble for our cast. The film showcases Keaton's huge imagination and gift for making terrific comedies that have both heart and adventure as well as comedy elements in both slapstick and insane set pieces. The comedies all convey a grand sense of space and wonderfully designed machines and constructions that really add to the feel of the movie. Of note, this was the first Buster Keaton film that both my father and best friend, Brad have seen via my blu-ray.
Doctor S

Not among Keaton's classics due to a draggy beginning and lack of truly uproarious moments, but his stunts are as incredible as ever including a very dangerous-looking river rapids sequence. As with <i>The General</i>, the guy again displays his fondness for trains… More
Not among Keaton's classics due to a draggy beginning and lack of truly uproarious moments, but his stunts are as incredible as ever including a very dangerous-looking river rapids sequence. As with <i>The General</i>, the guy again displays his fondness for trains with a very primitive 1820's engine getting some sizable screen time.
Lauren D

Meh. Not a fan of Keaton. Didn't find it overly entertaining but it didn't suck too much.