Mixed Magic (1936)

This short film is a noticeable improvement over many of Buster Keaton’s Educational shorts, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of his golden era. In this story, Keaton plays Elmer, a down-on-his-luck man who stumbles upon a magician, “The Great Spumoni” (Eddie Lambert), looking for a new assistant. Elmer lands the job, but during his first performance, he hilariously manages to botch nearly every trick.

Among all the Educational Pictures, this film closely resembles a silent movie. Despite the presence of dialogue, the screenplay allows Keaton to shine with his physical comedy and a variety of visual gags. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, such as when the magician seemingly stabs his assistant (Marlyn Stuart) in the head with a sword as part of a trick. Believing the act to be real, Elmer faints, waking up only to cause even more chaos. Another standout scene shows Elmer entering a restaurant with just enough money for spaghetti but using a trick of his own to secure additional food.

Keaton is in top form here, creating a memorable and endearing character by playing the “fool” so convincingly. It’s amusing to watch such a brilliant comedian embody someone so hapless with such authenticity. Both Lambert and Stuart deliver solid performances, complementing Keaton’s antics well.

This film was part of Kino’s “Lost Keaton” collection. While the quality of all sixteen shorts is somewhat rough, this particular film features occasional dialogue skips where parts of the conversation are inaudible. While slightly distracting, it doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the film.

If you’re curious to see Buster Keaton in action and enjoy his comedic mishaps in Mixed Magic, you can watch the full film by clicking the link below.

Mixed Magic (1936) Cast

• Buster Keaton as Elmer ‘Happy’ Butterworth
• Eddie Lambert as The Great Spumoni
• Marlyn Stuart as Mary, Spumoni’s Assistant
• Ed Hall
• Jimmie Fox (credited as Jimmy Fox)
• Walter Fenner
• Pass Le Noir
• Harry Myers

Mixed Magic (1936) Storyline

In the 1936 short film Mixed Magic, Buster Keaton takes on the role of Elmer ‘Happy’ Butterworth, a man who lands a job assisting a professional magician, “The Great Spumoni.” After firing his previous assistant, Spumoni’s female assistant insists that he quickly find a replacement.

Enter Elmer, an eager but hilariously unqualified recruit whose attempts to master the art of magic lead to a string of comedic blunders. From botched tricks to chaotic performances, Elmer’s lack of aptitude brings chaos to every show. Despite his missteps, Keaton’s timeless comedic genius shines through, making Mixed Magic a charming addition to his filmography.