Review of The Love Nest (1923) by Josh G — 02 Sep 2008

I can understand how one might not be impressed by The Love Nest. The gags don't emerge from the action as they do in other Keaton films. Often, the scene seems to be set up specifically in order that a joke can play out.

Mostly, I enjoyed it. When you hear the title, you'll likely assume that this short is about a newlywed couple moving into their first apartment. In actuality, Keaton plays a man who has lost interest in women and everything else following his bride-to-be leaving him. He writes her a letter and seals the envelope with his tears. Soon he sets out on a boat to find adventure and forget the girl (who never shows up in the short) and runs across a whaling ship named... "The Love Nest". Yes, the short is mostly about Keaton's misadventures on this ship.

There are weak spots. The "all hands on deck" scene is just a little too lame, and we all know what's going to happen when Keaton shoots a fish that has flopped into the boat.

But overall, it's enjoyable and fun. There's not really any slow spots; it moves quickly from one joke to the next, so that even if one doesn't quite hit, you're already looking for the next.

The Love Nest is maybe not Keaton's best short, but it's still good.