Neighbours (1920)

A young couple residing in adjacent tenement apartments strive to be together despite their feuding families. “Neighbours” is a 1920 silent comedy film co-written, co-directed by, and starring Buster Keaton. It tells a tale reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, set in a tenement neighbourhood where Buster and Virginia’s families rivalled each other, divided by a fence between their buildings.

There was a scene, when Buster’s head gets accidentally buried in the ground and his father comes to his aid. His father said the line, “He’s my son and I’ll break his neck any way I please!”.

Back in the days, this was meant to add a comedic twist to what is already a physically funny situation. This line is both absurd and humorous, reflecting the over-the-top, often anarchic style of early silent comedies. However, if this line were used today (despite in a contemporary comedy), modern audiences might perceive it differently.

Watch the full film by pressing the play button below:

Neighbours (1920) Cast

• Buster Keaton: The Boy
• Virginia Fox: The Girl
• Joe Roberts: The Girl’s Father
• Joe Keaton: The Boy’s Father
• Edward F. Cline: The Cop
• Jack Duffy: The Judge

Neighbours (1920) Storyline

“The Boy” (Buster Keaton) and “The Girl” (Virginia Fox), are young lovers residing in tenements with backyards divided by a wooden fence. They are constantly caught in the middle of their families’ disputes over their relationship. Despite their families’ objections, they secretly exchange love letters through holes in the fence each morning. One day, as the parents argue, The Boy sneaks into The Girl’s bedroom but is caught by her father, who ties him to a clothesline and sends him back to his own house.

The ongoing conflict escalates, leading both families to court. The Boy asserts his right to marry The Girl, and the judge orders the families to stop interfering.

On their wedding day, tensions remain high among the families. The ceremony is repeatedly delayed by the Boy’s belt breaking, causing his pants to fall. When The Girl’s father finds out the wedding ring is a cheap 10-cent purchase from Woolworths, he cancels the wedding and takes The Girl home.

Unwilling to give up, The Boy, with the assistance of his groomsmen and using his trapeze skills, manages to whisk The Girl away.

They elope to a coal shed where a blacksmith, who is also an ordained minister, marries them, finally uniting them as husband and wife.