Out West (1918 film)

Out West
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle
Produced by	Joseph M. Schenck
Written by	Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle Natalie Talmadge (story)
Starring	Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle Buster Keaton Al St. John Alice Lake Joe Keaton
Cinematography	George Peters
Editing by	Herbert Warren
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	January 20, 1918 (1918-01-20)
Running time	25 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent film English (original intertitles)

Out West is a 1918 short comedy film, a satire on contemporary westerns, starring Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, and Al St. John. It was the first of Arbuckle's "Comique" films to be filmed on the west coast, the previous five having been filmed in and around New York City. The idea for the story came from Natalie Talmadge, who was later to become Keaton's first wife.

Plot

The story involves Arbuckle coming to the western town of Mad Dog Gulch (which the intertitles call "the toughest town in the movies") after being thrown off a train and chased by Indians. He teams up with gambler/saloon owner Bill Bullhorn (Keaton), in trying to keep the evil Wild Bill Hickup (Al St. John) away from Salvation Army girl, Salvation Sue (Alice Lake). Fatty and Buster have a series of adventures trying to beat St. John, until they discover his one weakness: his ticklishness.

Cast

• Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle - Train Rider, Bartender
• Buster Keaton - Sheriff, saloon owner
• Al St. John - Wild Bill Hickup
• Alice Lake - Salvation Army Woman
• Joe Keaton - Man on train
• Ernie Morrison Sr.

Critical response

Variety gave the film a positive review in its January 25, 1918 issue, saying it "hits a better comedy tempo than any of his [Arbuckle's] recent productions." Keaton's comic tumbles were singled out for praise, as was Arbuckle's direction of the film: "Good camera work aids the comedy."

See also

• List of American films of 1918
• Fatty Arbuckle filmography
• Buster Keaton filmography

External links

• Out West at the Internet Movie Database
• Out West at AllRovi

References

• "Out West" (film review) in Variety Weekly. January 25, 1918.