College

An earnest, book loving student at a bustling college sees athletics as a distraction from study and romance. When the girl he adores hints that athletic prowess might win her affection, he agrees to give sports a try, despite his natural clumsiness. What follows is a string of comic misfires and determined attempts as he fumbles through workouts, gym classes, and team rituals, all while trying to keep his dignity intact. The campus becomes a stage where miscommunication and hijinks turn into unexpected progress, and the boy discovers that teamwork, endurance, and a little luck can complicate rather than sabotage a carefully laid plan for love. The tone stays light while letting real feeling peek through the antics for viewers.

Directed by James W. Horne with Buster Keaton, this 1927 film blends silent era slapstick with collegiate romance. It credits Bryan Foy and Carl Harbaugh as creators, placing Keaton in a collaboration that leans on physical gags and character humor.

Box office data for this 1927 release are not readily documented, reflecting the era's limited record keeping for silent comedies. It exists as part of Buster Keaton's body of work rather than a known commercial milestone within the silent era.

Cultural footprints from College are modest by modern standards, but it sits among Keaton's late silent era experiments that mix humor with romance in a college setting. Fans of the period may note the film's playful pacing and the way physical comedy doubles as social commentary within a bustling campus.

Critics of its time treated the film as light entertainment that balances romance with slapstick. The story explores themes of self improvement and perseverance as a scholar learns to adapt to athletic culture, while keeping a focus on genuine affection and the messy charm of college life throughout its running.