Hard Luck (1921)

“Hard Luck” is a 1921 American two-reel silent comedy film starring Buster Keaton, written and directed by Keaton and Edward F. Cline, with a runtime of 22 minutes. Buster, out of work and despondent, attempts various methods of suicide. Eventually, he tries “poison” from a bottle, which turns out to be booze. Meanwhile, the president of a sporting club talks about the need for a sportsman to promote the club. A drunken Buster ends up getting the job and must quickly learn how to fish, hunt, and ride.

This film was considered Buster Keaton’s major lost work for over 60 years until its partial rediscovery in 1987. The recovered print was missing dozens of shots, scenes, and gags, including the final two gags: the pool dive, which Keaton claimed got the biggest laugh when originally released, and the Chinese family scene. This incomplete print was preserved in the Raymond Rohauer Collection and released on home video.

Over a decade later, a tinted print was found, nearly complete except for the Chinese family scene. That missing scene was eventually discovered in a badly degraded Russian copy. In 2001, Lobster Films restored the complete film, with tinting, and released it on DVD.

In 2015, the tinting was reverted to the original black and white, with completely rewritten intertitles added throughout. This version was re-released on Blu-ray. The full film is now available.

Hard Luck (1921) Cast

• Buster Keaton – Suicidal Boy
• Virginia Fox – Virginia
• Joe Roberts – Lizard Lip Luke
• Bull Montana – Virginia’s Husband (uncredited)

Hard Luck (1921) Storyline

Buster Keaton plays a young man who is down on his luck. After a series of misfortunes, he decides to end his life. He tries several methods of suicide, all of which fail in funny ways. Desperate and drunk, he drinks “poison” from a bottle, which turns out to be just alcohol.

At the same time, the president of a sporting club is looking for a new sportsman to promote the club. He meets the drunk Buster and offers him the job. Buster now has to learn various sports like fishing, hunting, and horseback riding.

The film follows Buster’s funny attempts at these tasks, leading to a series of comedic mishaps. Despite his lack of skill, Buster’s sincere efforts and resourcefulness result in hilariously unexpected situations.

In one scene, Buster tries to catch fish using increasingly absurd methods, ending in a chaotic fishing trip. In another, his hunting efforts turn into a series of humorous blunders.

The climax features Buster diving into an empty swimming pool. This scene, which Keaton said got the biggest laugh of his career, was lost for many years.

However, the film ends with Buster emerging from the pool in a dramatic and surprising way, fittingly closing his series of misadventures.