Seven Chances

source: Seven Chances

Desperate for money to save his failing business, junior stockbroker Buster Keaton (as James "Jimmie" Shannon) is understandably pleased to learn his recently deceased grandfather has tentatively left him $7 million. In order to inherit the money, Mr. Keaton must get married by 7 pm. After a misunderstanding with girlfriend Ruth Dwyer (as Mary Jones), Keaton gets "Seven Chances" to propose, but each woman turns him down. When a newspaper article reveals Keaton's potential, every woman in the vicinity decides to pursue him. Keaton decides marrying Ms. Dwyer is the correct way to go, if he can get away from a landslide of eager women... Lost on modern audiences is a moment when Keaton visits a theater to propose marriage to a showgirl, who we're told is Julian Eltinge; filmgoers in 1925 would have known this was a female impersonator. Another of Keaton's prospects in young Jean Arthur (as "Miss Smith"). The colorful opening gives "Seven Chances" a great start, but frequent "ethnic" humor is not funny. It's hard to believe Keaton considered this film substandard. Even before it gets going, it's a top quality production. There are enough chuckles before the famous chase scene, which really begins when Keaton falls asleep in church and the women start rushing to meet him. ******** Seven Chances (3/11/25) Buster Keaton ~ Buster Keaton, Ruth Dwyer, Snitz Edwards, T. Roy Barnes

Of all the silent comedies, this is easily my favourite. Move over, Charlie Chaplin fans, and acknowledge that Buster Keaton is the real master of physical comedy! The finale, where Buster is running down a mountain side as he's being bombarded by big boulders from a rock slide, is jaw-dropping hilarious. A must-see. P.S. Avoid the 1999 remake. An insult to the original.

Seven Chances is a true testament to the genuis of Buster Keaton. It is a wonderful display of all his talents. The fact that he performed his own stunts makes some of the scenes not only funny but also extraordinary. His unique blend of comedy, timing, and innocence has never come together so well. If you have never before seen one of his films than I highly recommend this one, if you have seen this film then I recommend that you see it again.

Buster's unique talents are in evidence once more in this one-of-a-kind romantic comedy. If our hero marries by 7pm, he inherits $7 million, but in proposing to the love of his life, manages to mortally offend her. What to do? Easy: T. Roy Barnes places an advert in the newspaper, highlighting his friend's plight, which naturally leads to Buster being chased by thousands of women whilst he tries to avoid enormous boulders! The stuntwork in this film is utterly astonishing, as the director/star risks life and limb to create another comedic masterpiece. Flawlessly paced, and mixing farce and stuntwork as adeptly as ever, Buster Keaton's Seven Chances is a joy to behold.

I'm sorry to hear that Keaton didn't care for this film, because it was a truncated version of this film that introduced me to Buster Keaton when I was about six. When the film gets going, it really takes off and I mean off the ground. The big chase in this film is a joy to see. This is a must see Keaton film.

You can see why MGM ruined Buster Keaton. In "Seven Chances," they stick him in a Broadway romantic comedy, for which he's totally unsuited. He even is well dressed, with slicked back hair. The last third is a familiar chase sequence, totally out of character with the rest of the movie and below Keaton's standards. However, what's worth seeing is one of two shorts tacked on the end of the DVD, "Neighbors." A character-based comedy (Buster's in love with the girl across the city fence; their parents try to keep them apart). It's sidesplitting and brilliant. Note: There are racial gags, some at white people's expense, others (sadly) at black's expense. At least Keaton used blacks in "Neighbors," not the whites in blackface in "Seven Chances." The DVD is worth renting just for "Neighbors." Good music score, too.

I had never seen a Buster Keaton movie before this one; now, I only wish I hadn't missed so much of the local Keaton film fest. This film was unlike anything I'd ever seen before -- a jaw-dropping of hilarity and acrobatic skill. You want to sit there, stunned at the stunts Buster pulls, but it's so hilarious, you absolutely can't stop laughing. It's simply a good movie for about 45 minutes; then, the last 15 are incomparable.

Seven Chances is one of Buster Keaton's comedic masterpieces from the mid-1920's. It has been beautifully restored by Kino for both the VHS and DVD versions, with a lovely compilation of an attractive musical score by Robert Israel; a technicolor beginning, and tints. A most enjoyable film, and worth every dime if you buy it. Look for a young, pert Jean Arthur in a bit part as the secretary, without her customary blond curls. Jimmie (Buster Keaton) is a young stockbroker who has gotten into financial difficulties with his partner Billy. When Jimmie learns a rich grandfather has died and left him 7 million dollars in his will it looks like Jimmie's troubles may be over. But there is a catch: Jimmie must marry by 7pm on the evening of his 27th birthday, which is the same day he is notified of the possible windfall. He asks his girlfriend Mary to marry him, and she says yes, but then he bungles the proposal when he tells her the reason why he must marry her "today". No girl likes to think she is being married just to obtain a fortune, and Mary spurns Jimmie. This leads to Jimmie's partner Billy convincing him he must marry "some girl", since he owes it to their friendship and partnership to obtain the money to salvage their business. The madness then ensues, where Jimmie proposes to every female in sight, including famous female impersonator Julian Eltinge. The second half of the film is Buster's brainchild entirely, and will have you laughing non-stop, as Jimmie escapes the wrath of an entire city of thwarted brides, who all wanted a shot at his 7 million and were denied. The most famous shots are the running-down-the-mountains-with-the-boulders-chasing-you scenes, invented by Buster, but there are many other deliciously funny moments as well, and a suitable, happy ending, complete with a Dalmation's kisses. See Seven Chances before you pass on. You owe it to yourself. :) One final note: a previous commentator here wrote that Buster did not care for his Seven Chances. That is not quite true. The business situation surrounding the planning of the film did not suit him, since the vehicle was chosen for him by Joseph Schenck, and he preferred to do his own material, but Buster did have creative control over the 2nd half of the film, and it shows. When the film was restored and re-shown starting in the 1960's, before his death, Buster Keaton was able to realize how much of a crowd pleaser this film was, and he changed his mind about it. If you are a student of the 1920's and love comedy, you will find lots to love in Seven Chances. It's sweet.

Buster Keaton was, and still is to this day in terms of how he is still regarded today, one of the funniest and most daring actors/comedians, as well as one of the most influential, in film history and ever. His comic timing was seldom off point and he was one of not many to not be afraid of taking risks. There was much more to him than that though, with him being one of the very few to pull off being stone-faced because he did it with such expressivity and nuance. 'Seven Chances' is not quite up there with his best work, but it does absolutely show what it was that made him and his films, shorts and feature (silent period just to say too, he didn't transition that well into sound), so appealing to many. It may not be one of his consistently funniest, boldest, most emotionally impactful or most technically imaginative, but all really that was wanted from me was a film that at least amused and entertained, at least charmed and had a good performance from Keaton and 'Seven Chances' delivers on all three. To be fair as well, it did have the difficult task of following on from three consecutive masterpieces of Keaton's in a row that had all of the things that this wasn't quite as consistent in, so inevitably it would slightly disappoint in comparison. It does very well in this regard though. The story is predictable, more so than most Keaton films (due to it being a story told so many times), and could have done with a little more freshness in parts, particularly in the first third or so. Do agree with anyone feeling that the second half is better than the first half. The first half, don't get me wrong, is still witty and charming if a bit staid. The second half however, especially the last third that boasts the highlight of the film and the most talked about scene, is a zany riot that is a better representation of Keaton's appeal in terms of humour and him as a performer. However, 'Seven Chances' looks good. A technical achievement it may not quite be, but the photography is very nice to look at and it hardly looks cheap. The comedy never feels too much or too little, it is all beautifully timed and never less than very funny. All of them work, it is not one of those films with a few misfire gags or a film that is not funny at all, even when not quite classic quality it's an example to all. 'Seven Chances' is especially worth seeing for one sequence, which is indeed the climax, one of the greatest, funniest and boldest chases on film. One of Keaton's most memorable climaxes and an example of how to execute an extended gag sequence well. Keaton's stunt work is as always impeccable in a way that's unmatched. His performance is also another main reason to see 'Seven Chances'. Not only is his comic timing on point but he once again provides a character that's endearing and worth rooting for. His physicality and how he copes with the stunts is awe-inspiring and he is one of not many to make deadpan interesting and entertaining because he still makes it very expressive and nuanced. Overall, not quite classic Keaton but still great. 9/10