The Hayseed (1919)

Released in 1919, ‘The Hayseed’ is a classic silent film that showcases the comedic genius of Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle and Buster Keaton. Directed by Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle and written by Jen Havez, this short film is a delightful exploration of rural life, misunderstandings, and, of course, uproarious humor.

As one of the many collaborations between Keaton and Arbuckle, ‘The Hayseed’ offers a glimpse into the early days of American cinema and the timeless charm of silent comedy.

You can watch the full movie here:

The Hayseed (1919) – Cast

• Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle in the role of the Mailman
• Buster Keaton portraying the Manager of a general store
• Molly Malone as the Rural girl
• John Henry Coogan Jr / John Coogan, taking on the role of the Constable
• Luke the Dog, adding his charm to the cast

The Hayseed (1919) – Story line

Buster manages a rural post office and general store, where Fatty works as a mailman. While delivering mail one day, Fatty visits his girlfriend Fanny on her farm, leading to a playful game of hide-and-seek. However, his nap during the game coincides with the town constable’s advances towards Fanny.

Later, as Fatty carries out his mail duties, the constable stealthily pilfers an insured letter worth $300 from the post office. He presents Fanny with a ring purchased using the stolen money. When Fatty surprises Fanny with an even costlier ring that evening during a dance hall event at the store, tensions escalate.

Amidst singing and entertainment, Fatty’s voice falters, prompting Buster’s unusual remedy involving onions. While the onions restore Fatty’s voice, they also create a comical spectacle as their pungency makes the audience cry.

The constable attempts to frame Fatty for the theft of the insured letter, leading to a misunderstanding among their friends. They ostracize Fatty, believing it’s due to his alleged theft, but it’s actually due to his onion-induced breath. Buster clears Fatty’s name, revealing the constable’s guilt.

A scuffle ensues, and Fatty’s dog, Luke, joins the fray, chasing the crooked constable out of town. In the film’s finale, Fatty and Fanny prepare to share a kiss but are initially deterred by Fatty’s lingering onion breath. Fatty suggests they both eat onions to neutralize the effect, bringing laughter and harmony to the conclusion.