Joshua Reviews The Warner Archive’s ‘Sidewalks Of New York’ [DVD Review]

When people discuss the careers of many of the silent era’s greatest stars, they often either don’t make it to this point, or simply decide to glance over, the lives of these icons following the introduction of sound.   A film like ‘˜Limelight’ (save for the controversy surrounding the film) rarely gets a mention in as part of Charlie Chaplin’s filmography.   And the same goes for the later works of Buster Keaton (who actually appears in ‘˜Limelight’, for those keeping score at home).

However, that’s what makes a company like The Warner Archive so great.   It is them that happens to be bringing the world a collection of Keaton films, from an era where the silent comedian made his mark on the world of talkies.

The company has brought to their DVD by demand outlet a pair of Keaton talkies (amongst many other Keaton works), both of which charm the pants off viewers, while also giving us an insight as to what made this iconic comedian so brilliant, with or without speaking.

One of the company’s earliest Keaton releases is the 1931 feature film, ‘˜Sidewalks of New York.’ Telling the story of a wealthy tenement owner, Keaton plays Harmon, a landowner trying to find a way to get the rent he is owed from a group of tenants.   Mugged by a bunch of kids, Harmon ultimately falls for one of the kids’ stunning sister, only to find out that her brother is involved with some of the toughest gang members in the city.   In an attempt to get the kid back on the right side of the tracks, he and his right hand man Poggle take to the streets to stick it to the gang.

One of Keaton’s earliest talkies, the film features a rather intriguing performance from the actor.   Best known for the way that he handles his physical humor, that is still very much the case here.   With dialogue sequences that seem to be nothing more than an actor sitting in front of a camera reading title card dialogue, the film is an odd little gem, particularly in his performance.   Cliff Edwards is great here as well as his friend, and gives an equally entertaining performance.   Finally, Anita Page kills here as the sultry Margie, making this an impeccable actor’s piece.

Cinematically, the film is great.   There are many great set pieces, particularly a ‘storming of the castle’ of sorts which makes up a major portion of the film’s conclusion. Even featuring a boxing sequence seemingly ripped straight out of Keaton’s   ‘˜Battling Butler’, ‘˜Sidewalks’ contains a cavalcade of great moments featuring the legend doing what he does best: physical humor.   Shot very much like a silent comedy, the film itself benefits more from the growing language of film than the growing language one can hear through the film, as each set piece seems to outdo the last, as if directors Jules White and Zion Myers were learning how to direct on the job.   By the end of the film, we are privy to a set piece that is so grandiose and bombastic, that it’s rather awe-inspiring.

Admittedly, the transfer here isn’t the strongest.   And with no special features, one wouldn’t compare this to something like Criterion’s two Chaplin releases.   However, for Keaton fans, or fans of film in general, this is a release that one must truly own.   It’s a top notch comedy, with a killer cast and a transfer that’s far superior to most you’ll see with regards to films from the era.   Overall, there may not be much to see here total, but what you do get is a genuinely moving comedy featuring one of the genre’s greatest stars.

Reviews of The Warner Archive’s release of Keaton’s ‘˜What! No Beer?’ and Kino’s Blu-ray release of ‘˜Seven Chances’ will be coming later this week.