The Scarecrow (1920)

“The Scarecrow” is a 1920 American silent comedy film that spans two reels, starring Buster Keaton, who also co-wrote and co-directed the film with Edward F. Cline. In the film, farmhands played by Keaton and Roberts share a cottage filled with inventive gadgets aimed at easing their chores. Both men vie for the affections of the farmer’s daughter. Keaton, in a scarecrow disguise, unintentionally stirs trouble for both his rival and the farmer. A humorous misunderstanding occurs when Keaton bends to tie his shoe, leading the farmer’s daughter to believe he is proposing, and she accepts.

In this film, you’ll see Luke, Roscoe Arbuckle’s dog who appeared in nearly all of Arbuckle’s short films. Luke is particularly memorable in “The Cook” (1918).

Additionally, this film features a cameo by Edward “Eddie” Cline himself.

Watch the fill film by pressing the play button below:

The Scarecrow (1920) Cast

• Buster Keaton: Farmhand #1
• Edward F. Cline: Hit-and-Run Truck Driver (uncredited)
• Luke the Dog: The “Mad” Dog (uncredited)
• Joe Keaton: Farmer (uncredited)
• Joe Roberts: Farmhand #2 (uncredited)
• Sybil Seely: Farmer’s Daughter (uncredited)
• Al St. John: Man with Motorbike (uncredited)

The Scarecrow (1920) Storyline

The story is about two farmhands, Buster Keaton and Joe Roberts, who live in a unique, gadget-filled cottage on a farm. They’ve filled their home with clever devices designed to make their chores easier, like a record player that can be turned into a cooking stove.

Both farmhands have fallen for the farmer’s daughter, played by Sybil Seely, and their competition for her love leads to many humorous situations. In one memorable scene, Buster Keaton dresses up as a scarecrow to secretly watch and disrupt his rival.

This results in a series of funny and chaotic events, including a chase with a “mad” dog, played by Luke, Roscoe Arbuckle’s real-life pet who appeared in many of his films.

The comedy peaks when Keaton, while bending down to tie his shoe, is mistakenly believed by the farmer’s daughter to be proposing. She excitedly says yes to what she thinks is his marriage proposal, increasing the mix-up and laughter.

In a frantic sequence, they escape on a motorcycle, chased by Joe and the farmer (played by Buster’s father, Joe). During the chase, they pick up a minister and get married on the go, ending up in a stream where they are declared husband and wife.