The Scarecrow

On a sunlit farm two hired hands chase the farmer's daughter, turning romance into a showcase of slapstick. Each man hatches schemes to win her favor, only to stumble into comic disasters as farm life buzzes around them. Chases sprint across the yard, pratfalls echo from the barn, and near misses with equipment punctuate a day of misdirection and vanity. The story moves with Keaton's restrained timing and a brisk rhythm that keeps the mood buoyant while the laughs stay good natured. This brisk rural comedy uses simple motives to mine humor from pride, rivalry, and the predictable chaos of everyday farm work. Its humor remains approachable even for first time silent era watchers.

Directed by Edward F. Cline and Buster Keaton, The Scarecrow is a 1920 silent comedy short. It showcases Keaton's signature deadpan humor and inventive physical gags within a tight two reel format, supported by chase sequences and solid supporting players.

Box office data for The Scarecrow from 1920 is not well documented and reliable grosses are hard to come by. The short circulated as part of a busy two reel program, paired with other short features that boosted audience engagement.

Though not as famous as Keaton's feature masterpieces, The Scarecrow reflects the era's collaborative approach to silent comedy and the appeal of rural misadventure. It shows Keaton mastering pace and visual humor in compact form, a corner of his broader influence on screen slapstick. Its impact is modest but visible.

Critics generally recognize Keaton's precise timing and the light hearted treatment of rivalry and affection. The film uses a simple premise two suitors competing for a farmer's daughter to explore humor that arises from stubborn pride, pratfalls, and the charm of old fashioned frontier life, and the everyday humor shines.