The Cook

I may be biased toward Buster Keaton since I have seen so many more of his films than of Fatty Arbuckle's, but I think that he was a far better physical comedian than Fatty was. Arbuckle performs some astonishing tricks as the cook, flipping pancakes behind his back and tossing utensils and such, and he should be recognized for this as well as his tremendous contributions to silent comedies. Both actors have much stronger works, but this is a clean short comedy, surprisingly well restored for having been sitting lost in some attic for more than 70 years. It makes me wish I was around back then, when the magic in Hollywood was still alive.

Although I am somewhat biased towards Harold Lloyd, I'm SERIOUSLY infatuated with Fatty Arbuckle comedies now. With a man his size, he was enormously agile, fearless and funny. This is plainly evident in The Cook, a classic example of his often riotous teamings with Stone Face, Buster Keaton. Essentially a bunch of gags which revolve around a restaurant, then an amusement park, Arbuckle just astounded me with his stunt work and clever slight of hand (his cooking stills was outstanding!). And oh dear, this movie is too funny. Many many pratfalls, comedic situations, and great comedic timing.. Seek it out if you can, it's a riot.

Long believed lost, an extended fragment of "The Cook" has been found, and it confirms how graceful Fatty could be, this time slaving over a hot stove and casually throwing prepared items to an equally blase Buster. Though the film closes at a pier-based amusement park, the kitchen antics are best, with the highlight being two dance pieces--Fatty's tribute to Salome (with salami) and Buster's hilarious rug-cutting with a belly dancer. The vicious (but not malicious) dog is good, too.

The epitome of Arbuckle and Keaton's flash-over-substance tendencies. Every last storytelling beat exists solely to maneuver the comic duo into a new backdrop for adlibs and pratfalls. Silent comedy two-reelers will never be known for their rich themes and steep character arcs, but The Cook seems egregious even by those low standards.

Which isn't to say it's without merit. Actually, I really enjoyed myself. The bulk of the film finds our heroes working a high-end restaurant - Arbuckle in the kitchen, Keaton waiting tables - and, despite revisiting a few bits from their first partnership in 1917's The Butcher Boy, remains largely original, averaging a laugh every quarter-minute. It's stuffed with comic gold, from the little throwaway gags (Fatty tossing finished meals over his shoulder, Buster smoothly snatching them from the air) to the more elaborate productions (an explosive, dish-smashing dance number before a raucous dining room). Arbuckle's famous pet bull terrier, distinguished enough to merit his own lengthy Wikipedia entry, even enjoys a few wonderful guest spots as the mayhem spills out to the streets and beyond.

The Cook is great fun - pure, unchained visceral comedy - if you can shut your mind to the dumb plot and just enjoy the sheer physical spectacle of it all.

Until 1998, this short silent comedy starring Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle with support from Buster Keaton and Al St. John was considered lost. Watch in amazement as Arbuckle tosses food to Keaton who just catches them on his plate effortlessly. Watch them both dance to the music of the jazz band as Buster impersonates the female dancer next to him and Roscoe does the same with Buster while fitting pots and pans and broom and dustpan on himself. Oh, and throw in some sausage and cabbage while you're at it! By the way, the most shockingly funny bit was when Arbuckle almost chops Buster's neck off! You'll just have to watch this short to know what I mean. I did notice some scenes still missing like when Buster was taking that bass from one of the African-American musicians and was targeting it at St. John. The later amusement park scenes also had some missing sequences though the titles explained what happened at the end. That setup wasn't as funny though there were still some decent laughs. So on that note, I recommend The Cook.