http://www.busterkeaton.com/Films/C01_The_Saphead.htmlWatch THE SAPHEAD in the link above.
100 bottles of Damfino to whoever can tell me what is wrong with that movie poster.
THE SAPHEAD was, for me, absolutely, insufferably bad. This movie is filled with so many plot holes and both Irving Cummings and Buster Keaton have characters that make absolutely no sense, behaving in ways that pushes the envelope of fiction too far for my liking.
These things said, I must also say that the performance is absolutely flawless. The effects are all done well, especially night vs. sunrise vs. morning. The depiction of the stock exchange makes me want to go run out and buy stock.
William H. Crane,
75 years of age at the time of filming (born in 1845!!!), is absolutely fantastic in his portrayal of Nicholas van Alstyne. His experience from performing in the original stage version of THE HENRIETTA in the 1880s clearly shows. Buster does a good job with his role, but it feels more like he is there as comic relief (as is Leon) amidst the sea of seriousness from the other actors.
Plot holes: as mentioned before me by Umbrella Sam, Bertie burning the letters; the letters are labeled "Omaha, NE" so (1) how does the nurse get to New York and back, (2) how does she happen to know that Mark is there when all his letters were written to and from his office, (3) assuming she was in NY, how did she get there in just a few seconds, abandoning the dead body in a classless manner, and get into a *mansion; the fact that Old Nick is on a cruise and takes a car to get home; it's too convenient that Bertie just happens to have a picture of Henrietta on his shelf; lastly, it's too convenient that the mine and the mistress are named "Henrietta."
A masterpiece from the actors, but pardon me while I puke at the plot.
4/10