Sherlock Jr. (1924)

One of the most beloved comedies of the silent era, Sherlock Jr. is a brisk, economically-edited film whose layers belie its short running time. Over the course of 45 minutes, Sherlock Jr. functions as a platform for madcap slapstick, a showcase for ludicrously-dangerous stunts, an opportunity to show off trick photography, a conduit for relatable physical acting, and plenty more. Ryan is joined by Rachel for a chat about this enduring movie; discussion topics include how the loose plot is structured around the gags, the movie's connection to the still-notorious Fatty Arbuckle scandal, how Sherlock Jr. is referenced by James Bond of all things, and how Buster Keaton blazed a trail for every other actor who markets their films around how they almost killed themselves in a dangerous stunt for our amusement.