Speak Easily

Starring:Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, Ruth Selwyn, Thelma Todd, Hedda Hopper, William Pawley, Sidney Toler, Lawrence Grant, Henry Armetta, Edward Brophy, Oscar Apfel, Reginald Barlow, Jack Baxley, DeWitt Jennings, Sidney Bracey, Harry Tenbrook, Dave O'Brien, Fred Kelsey, Jim Farley, Inez Palange
Director: Edward Sedgwick
Studio: Alpha Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Not the Worst of the MGM's
Keaton Comedy "Easy" To Enjoy
Buster In Decline
Buster In Decline
Speak Easily

Speak Easily
Starring: Buster Keaton , Jimmy Durante , Ruth Selwyn , Thelma Todd , and Hedda Hopper
Director: Edward Sedgwick
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00022LJ56
Release Date: 2004-06-22

Customer Reviews:

Not the Worst of the MGM's.......2007-05-08

Keaton made worst movies that this for MGM - Free and Easy is the one that springs to my mind. In saying that this is no masterpiece, far from it.

The storyline leads to what should be a funny movie and parts of this are, for instance the scene with Thelma Todd at the hotel room (BTW love that drinks cabinet) and the morning after. I also like the little bit at the beginning with the train. And I like the Theatre Scenes at the end of the movie.

But like nearly everyone here we all know what was to come after so we know that this is the beginning of the end for Keaton at MGM. Durante and Keaton are not a good mix, Cliff Edwards and Keaton would have been much better combination.

Keaton Comedy "Easy" To Enjoy.......2004-07-21

Boy! Am I in the minority opinion here or what?

I have often heard the complaints that when Buster started making sound pictures and signed with MGM his career was over. And I even believe Buster made remarks to that effect as well. But, I don't know, I don't mind Buster's sound pictures. Granted I have only seen a few of them, I think of them as light diversions. I also don't mind the films Laurel & Hardy made in the 40s.

"Speak Easily" has Buster Keaton playing Professor Post, a lonely man who never gets a chance to go out and lead a social life. He has no friends, no love in his life and only his butler to tell his worries to. One day Buster finds out he has inherited 750,000. He sets off and plans to go out a live life. Do all the things he's always wanted to do.

"Speak Easily" works best in the early moments and then struggles trying to find the correct tone. Maybe this is because Keaton and Durante had such different comedy styles.

But I still don't think of this as a bad movie and wouldn't mind watching it again. It may not be as good as some of Buster's silent films such as "Sherlock, Jr.", "The General", and "Our Hospitality".

The movie was directed by Edward Sedgwick, who directed several of Keaton's later films starting with in order of preference; "The Cameraman", "Spite Marriage", "Doughboys", and "The Passionate Plumber" (Also with Durante), though I prefer "Plumber" over this movie.

But "Speak Easily" has some good slapstick moments, particulary at the end of the film. I also liked a scene between Keaton and Thelma Todd, as an actress trying to get into Buster's good graces. And a gag dealing with a train in the beginning I found funny.

I'm sorry, surprised, and slightly embarrassed to find I'm the only one who likes this movie, but contrary to what you've heard I'd recommend Keaton fans take a look at this one.

Bottom-line: Enjoyable, light Keaton "talkie" that offers laughs but does have its problems. Has enough moments that made me laugh to suggest the movie to fans. Or maybe I'm a pushover for Keaton?

Buster In Decline.......2002-02-14

The second half of "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath" picks up a bit with some fine slapstick from Buster involving a slippery marble floor, but the first half is a total waste. Unless, that is, you find some historical interest in the views of the Keaton mansion. But, how stupid could MGM be? THIS stupid: they had here one of the greatest physical comedians of all time, and they kept him flat on his back in bed for almost half the picture! Pathetic... no wonder Buster started drinking.

"Speak Easily" is even worse. The Keaton/Durante "partnership" was a marriage made in Hell (again, by MGM). There's no chemistry whatsoever between the two, and Buster often looks pained in his role as the professor. His timing is starting to go downhill, too, probably the result of his increasing alcohol problem. Add to that the sloppy direction, the cheesy production (it sounds like MGM spent more money on the snappy theme music than on the rest of the film), the third-rate script, and you've got a real prize turkey. NOT recommended, except to masochists.

Buster In Decline.......2002-02-14

The second half of "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath" picks up a bit with some fine slapstick from Buster involving a slippery marble floor, but the first half is a total waste. Unless, that is, you find some historical interest in the views of the Keaton mansion. But, how stupid could MGM be? THIS stupid: they had here one of the greatest physical comedians of all time, and they kept flat on his back in bed for almost half the picture! Pathetic... no wonder Buster started drinking.

Speak Easily.......2001-09-22

SPEAK EASILY is very sad. I've read several times where this is one of Buster's best (if not the best) talkies he made. I don't care for it at all. I have it only becuase I am a Buster fan. It reminds me of most of Laurel & Hardy's movies after they left Roach. The Buster in Speak Easily is a shadow of the Buster character in his silents. Jimmy Durante is overbearing and unfunny. MGM should be ashamed of themselves.

Average customer rating:

Speak Easily

Manufacturer: Synergy Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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amazon.com

After being mistakenly informed of a $750,000 he will not actually inherit, naive Professor Potts (Buster Keaton) decides to live a little by quitting his university job, withdrawing his life savings and travel. Meeting a traveling vaudeville troupe on the train and being convinced by Jimmy the piano player (Jimmy Durante) that the show is a success, Potts decides to use his money to buy the show and bring it to Broadway. After discovering what type of show he bought during opening night, Potts attempts to apologize to the audience but instead becomes the hit of the show by accidentally stumbling into the production number and show effects. Potts must now contend with the show, the creditors looking for money as well as the affections of his home town sweetheart and the show's leading lady.

[10 Movie Box Set] Jack and the Beanstalk / Best of W.c. Fields / Speak Easily / Love Laughs At Andy Hardy / Judge Priest & More

Average customer rating:

[10 Movie Box Set] Jack and the Beanstalk / Best of W.c. Fields / Speak Easily / Love Laughs At Andy Hardy / Judge Priest & More

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

10 MOVIES ON 5 DOUBLE SIDED DISCS! JACK & THE BEANSTALK / THE INSPECTOR GENERAL / THE BEST OF W.C. FIELDS / SPEAK EASILY / SIN OF HAROLD DIDDLEBOCK / THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD / CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK / JUDGE PRIEST / PALOOKA / LOVE LAUGHS AT ANDY HARDY

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