Ditto (1937)

Buster, an ice delivery man, develops feelings for one of his customers, unaware that her twin sister lives next door. “Ditto” is a 1937 American short comedy film starring Buster Keaton.

According to the renewal registrations, the film’s copyright was renewed in 1964, and it is set to enter the public domain in 2033.

The comedic scenario of Buster being bewildered by twin girls was previously used in his 1921 short film for First National Pictures, “The Play House.”

Left – Ditto (1937), Right – The Play House (1921)

“Ditto” (1937) also marks the debut of the Brewster twins, Barbara and Gloria Brewster. Subsequently, the Brewster Twins appeared in nine films under contract with 20th Century Fox during the late 1930s and early 1940s, earning the title “the Most Beautiful Twins in America.”

They performed as the “Stuart Morgan Dancers” in the Broadway show “High Kickers” in 1941-42. This was Gloria’s final performance before she retired, having married one of her co-stars from the film “Twincuplets.”

Watch the full film by pressing the play button below.

Ditto (1937) Cast

• Buster Keaton: The Forgotten Man
• Gloria Brewster: Housewife
• Barbara Brewster: Housewife’s twin sister
• Harold Goodwin: Hank
• Lynton Brent: Bill
• Al Thompson
• Robert Ellsworth

Ditto (1937) Storyline

The film begins with Buster delivering ice to a housewife, played by Gloria Brewster, and quickly falling for her. He doesn’t realize that her identical twin sister, played by Barbara Brewster, lives next door. This leads to a series of funny mix-ups as Buster interacts with each twin, thinking they are the same person.

The comedy arises from the confusion of the twins’ identical looks and Buster’s frustration as he gets different reactions from what he thinks is the same woman.

Overwhelmed by the confusion, Buster decides to live as a hermit in the woods. Years later, he meets a young woman who invites buster to meet her sisters, resulting in a humorous and somewhat surreal ending.

The final scene, which shows the five identical sisters from behind, was less effective for some viewers because the film’s budget didn’t allow for special effects to show their identical faces.