Busting Buster: The dog is the only one who knows what is going on

If you have ten minutes to kill and you like looking at how people dressed their kids in 1925, then Busting Buster is worth a watch. It is mostly for people who like silent comedy history or anyone who has a soft spot for very talented dogs. If you hate 'naughty kid' tropes or grainy film that jumps around, you will probably find this pretty annoying.

Arthur Trimble plays Buster, and he has this blonde hair that looks like a thick bowl was placed on his head. He wears those iconic big collars that look incredibly uncomfortable to play in. 🐕

The whole thing feels like it was filmed in someone's backyard over a weekend. It was written by Richard F. Outcault, who created the original comic, so it keeps that flat, panel-by-panel feeling.

There is this one scene where Buster is trying to be sneaky, but he is moving so loudly you can practically hear it through the silent film. He keeps looking at the camera too, like he is waiting for someone to tell him what to do next.

The real star is Pal the Wonder Dog. He has this dark circle around his eye that I think was painted on, but he is more focused than any of the humans.

At one point, the dog does a trick where he sits perfectly still while the kids are absolute chaos around him. You can tell the dog is the only professional on the set. 🐾

Doreen Turner plays Mary Jane, and she mostly just stands there looking confused. Her outfits are intense, like she is going to a very formal tea party instead of playing in the dirt.

It is much lighter than something like Wild Oranges, which has actual stakes. Here, the biggest problem is just getting caught being a brat.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Busting Buster (1928) through its definitive frames.

The pacing is a bit weird and jerky. One moment they are inside, and the next they are suddenly outside with no transition at all.

I noticed a stray cat in the background of one shot that definitely wasn't supposed to be there. It just watches the actors for a second and then bolts away.

The gags are pretty simple, like stuff falling over or people getting bumped. It’s not exactly high art, but it’s short enough that it doesn't overstay its welcome.

If you want something with more of a story, you might prefer The Cinderella Man. This is just a slice of 1920s silliness.

There is a weird bit where Buster falls down and you can see him actually wince. He looks at his knee for a split second before remembering he is supposed to be acting.

I think the film quality makes everything look a bit spookier than it was meant to be. The shadows in the corners of the rooms are very deep and dark.

It is funny how much they relied on the dog to save the scenes. Whenever the kids stop being interesting, the camera just cuts back to Pal looking smart.

The ending happens so fast I thought my player had skipped a chapter. It just... stops.

It’s a weird little relic. Not great, but charming in a way that modern stuff usually isn't.