The Blacksmith is a 1922 American short comedy film co-written, co-directed by and featuring Buster Keaton.[1] Buster plays an assistant blacksmith to the big worker played by Joe Roberts, with predictable results.

The Blacksmith
DVD cover
Directed by	Buster Keaton Malcolm St. Clair
Written by	Buster Keaton Malcolm St. Clair
Produced by	Joseph M. Schenck
Starring	Buster Keaton
Cinematography	Elgin Lessley
Distributed by	First National Pictures
Release date	July 21, 1922 (1922-07-21)
Running time	25 minutes
Country	United States
Languages	Silent English intertitles

Cast

• Buster Keaton as Blacksmith's assistant
• Joe Roberts as Blacksmith
• Virginia Fox as Horsewoman

Alternate versions

In June 2013, Argentine film collector, curator and historian Fernando Martín Peña (who had previously unearthed the complete version of Metropolis) discovered an alternate version of this film, a sort of remake whose last reel differs completely from the previously known version.[2] Film historians have since found evidence that the version of The Blacksmith Peña uncovered was a substantial reshoot undertaken months after completion of principal photography and a preview screening in New York. They now believe the rediscovered version was Keaton's final cut intended for wide distribution.[3]

Following Peña's discovery, a third version of the film, featuring at least one scene which doesn't occur in either of the other two, was found in the collection of former film distributor Blackhawk Films.[3]

See also

• Buster Keaton filmography

References

External links

• The Blacksmith at IMDb
• The short film The Blacksmith is available for free download at the Internet Archive.
• The Blacksmith at the International Buster Keaton Society

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Blacksmith.