INTERNATIONAL REVIEW!

"The highlight of the program was the screening of the 1921 silent film "The Goat" starring Buster Keaton. Scott Watson composed illustrative music for this film, putting conductor Hay and her large ensemble through a real test.

For the audience, the film presented an amusing spectacle, but the instrumentalists faced the difficult task of precisely synchronizing the music with the action on screen. A risky undertaking that demanded 24 minutes of utmost attention and discipline, allowed no delays—and succeeded brilliantly.

With metronomic certainty, Hay guided her ensemble from scene to scene, and the music perfectly accompanied all the slapstick: comically desperate escape attempts, wild chases, countless flops, and breakneck stunts by the poker-faced actor Keaton.

Exuberant enthusiasm and thunderous applause refused to let up even after what felt like five minutes of final applause; the faces on stage and in the audience beamed with joy."

Maria Kosowska-Németh, Schwarzwälder Bote (July 28, 2025)

PROGRAM NOTES: In this 1921 slapstick comedy, a series of zany adventures ensue when our hero – a down-and-out, depression-era fellow – is accidentally photographed for a mugshot, causing him to be mistaken for the notorious Dead Shot Dan. His newfound notoriety leads to him being chased throughout the film by the town’s police chief. In a momentary pause in the action, Buster’s character falls in lovewith a beautiful young girl…who turns out to be the police chief’s daughter! Throughout the film, we see both the deadpan facial expression and graceful athleticism (doing his own stunts) for which Keaton is known.

THE GOAT was written and directed by Buster Keaton and Malcolm St. Clair, produced by Joseph M. Schenck, and starred Buster Keaton, Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts, Malcolm St. Clair, Edward Cline, and Jean Havez. It was originally distributed in 1921 by Metro Pictures, and is now in the Public Domain. This version, with new/original music by Scott Watson, uses video recut and edited by Scott Watson.

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: A series of zany adventures begins when Buster is accidentally photographed for a mugshot, causing him to be mistaken for the notorious Dead Shot Dan.