The Blacksmith (1922)
Plot: This is a two-reel silent comedy short film starring Buster Keaton as the clumsy assistant to a large, stern blacksmith (played by Joe Roberts). The shop is a magnet for chaos, largely due to Keaton's inability to master any of the tools or tasks. In a satire of the transition from horse-drawn vehicles to automobiles, Buster's attempts to both shoe a horse and repair a car result in spectacular destruction, including the accidental ruination of a luxury automobile. The conflict culminates when a giant horseshoe in the shop becomes magnetized, causing tools and even a sheriff's badge and pistol to disappear, leading to a physical brawl. After accidentally sending the blacksmith to jail, Buster is left in charge to deal with a variety of ridiculous customers, ultimately leading to a frantic chase and a classic Keaton train escape with the charming horsewoman.
