James Shannon (Buster Keaton) has been in love with the girl next door for forever. He keeps working up the courage to tell her but falls flat everytime. His work isn't going any better because his business is in a lot of trouble. He does seem to catch a break when his attorney brings him some good news. His grandfather has died. Okay that's not the good news. The good news is that in his will he left James seven million dollars. There is just one catch. He has to be married by 7:00 pm on his 27th birthday or else he doesn't get any of the money.
Seems simple enough right? Well, his 27th birthday happens to be today. With the clock ticking he goes to his love right and away and asks her to marry him. She agrees but when he starts talking about how they need to be wed that day he starts to lose her. Then came diarrhea of the mouth and he just kept making the situation worse by going on about how he could marry ANY girl. Naturally she feels a little annoyed with him and declines his proposal.
Stressed and heartbroken he goes back to his business partner who convinces him to marry another girl. He can always get a quickie divorce in Reno. He reluctantly agrees, only to save their company. The compile a list with seven names on it and he goes about asking all of them to marry him. Them and just about anything in a skirt (even a Scottish man). This man must be cursed though because he is getting turned down left and right. Which turns out to be a good thing because after having some time to calm down, his lover decides that she well marry him and sends him a message right away.
Meanwhile, James's business partner puts in add in the paper asking for someone to marry James in order to get 7 million dollars. All they have to do is meet at the church at six. Naturally woman are drawn to money so hundreds of girls in wedding gowns show up. Which creates probably the most iconic chase scene in Keaton's career as James hears news of his beloved waiting to marry him. But will he get to her before the clock strikes seven?
I friggin' loved this movie. Keaton's a classic. I had seen the chase scene before in school but even the first few minutes had me laughing at this movie. It's short, simple, and to the point. The only thing I was a little iffy about, and this wasn't a big deal back in the day, was I'm pretty sure there was someone in black face. I've heard it use to be a popular homage to vaudeville acts and since Keaton came from vaudeville this might possibly be so. But that was the only thing that took me out of the movie.
Rating: *****
(Just a snippet of the chase scene)
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