Buster's Spooks: A Delightful, Dog-Filled Old-Timey Haunt 🐶

Alright, so 'Buster's Spooks' is definitely one for the history buffs and anyone with a soft spot for silent-era shenanigans. If you're looking for something *deep* or visually groundbreaking by modern standards, you'll probably hate it. But if you appreciate the simple, earnest fun of early filmmaking, and especially if you adore clever dogs, this is a pretty sweet, quick watch.

This film, it's a real time capsule. We've got Arthur Trimble, bless his heart, and he's mostly there to react to things. His main job, it seems, is to widen his eyes and do a bit of flailing. Very on-brand for the era.

But the real star? Absolutely The Wonder Dog Pal. That dog, he carries this whole thing on his furry shoulders. He’s got more personality in his tail wags than some human actors manage in a whole movie. Pal is *always* looking at the camera, then back at Arthur, like 'Did you see that? No? Oh, for goodness sake.'

The plot, such as it is, involves Arthur and Pal getting into a house that’s clearly not playing by the rules. Things move on their own. Doors slam. It’s all very *spooky* in that early 20th-century way.

The 'spooks' themselves are exactly what you'd imagine. Mostly just white sheets draped over something or someone. Maybe a bit of clever string work. It’s not scary at all, obviously, but it’s delightful to see how they tried to pull it off. You can almost feel the filmmakers giggling behind the camera.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Buster's Spooks (1929) through its definitive frames.

There's a moment where Pal just barks furiously at an empty corner, then whips his head around to Arthur with this look that says, 'Seriously, human, get it together!' It’s tiny, but it’s *gold*.

Doreen Turner is also in it. She does some excellent, very dramatic, silent-film-style screaming. She adds a nice touch of frantic energy when the ghosts really get going. Her hat is also quite something; a real statement piece.

The film moves fast, which is a blessing for these old shorts. No time to get bored, just a quick dose of absurdity and dog charm. It’s less about a grand narrative and more about a series of funny, slightly unsettling vignettes.

You can see the roots of so much physical comedy here. Richard F. Outcault, the writer, he really knew how to set up a visual gag. The way Arthur trips over his own feet more than once? Classic.

Honestly, it’s not a film you’ll dissect for its profound themes. It’s just a snapshot of a time when movies were still figuring things out, and a dog could steal the show without saying a single word. A genuine little gem, if you know what you’re getting into. 💎

Didja Notice?

• Pal’s ear twitches are better acting than some Oscar winners.
• The 'ghost' that pushes a chair over is hilariously unconvincing.
• Arthur's hair gets progressively messier as the 'spooks' ramp up.
• One of the flying objects looks suspiciously like a pillow with a blanket over it.
• The shadows are almost as entertaining as the actors.