Review of Back Stage (1919) by Byron B — 23 Mar 2018

Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle made many shorts with Mabel Normand in his early career and then, prior to the pairing of the more famous Laurel and Hardy, Fatty made several shorts with Buster Keaton.

This is another such teaming between Fatty and Buster. Again actor Al St. John is also present as another stagehand. And again the slapstick routines don't do much to make for a memorable story or unforgettable characters.

There is a strongman who is abusive to his lady assistant. He is pressured to leave the vaudeville theater, and then...you get back stage antics with the crew mimicking the usual variety acts. Very static shots.

Very young Keaton developing his film presence, but not yet to the level of his solo career.