The Washington County Historical Society is excited to announce its first “Blackand- White Movie Night” at the Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley Street, Stillwater, on Tuesday evening January 25th at 7pm. Three Buster Keaton short films will be shown, including “One Week” (1920), “The High Sign” (1921), and “The Goat” (1921).

Joseph Frank “Buster” Keaton was an American actor, comedian and filmmaker. He is best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression that earned him the nickname “The Great Stone Face” “One Week” (1920) was the first independent film by Buster Keaton in which he was a writer, director, producer, and star. The story is about a newlywed couple who receives a “build-it-yourself” home as a wedding present, with the product’s unique promise that the house can be built in “one week.” Hilarity ensues, particularly due to the boxes being re-numbered at the factory at the hand of a recently heartbroken crate packer. In 2008, “One Week” was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

“The High Sign” (1921) is another film short starring Buster Keaton in which his character is known simply as “Our Hero.” Ironically, Keaton plays a drifter who cons his way into working in a shooting gallery for a carnival. His prowess at being a good shot earns suspicion from a local gang called the Blinking Buzzards, who originally plan to murder him. Instead, Keaton gets hired, but not without a gagfilled chase through a house filled with trap doors and unexpected turns.

“The Goat” (1921) starring Buster Keaton is a short film in which Keaton is misidentified as a wanted murderer. After a photographer mistakenly takes a mug shot of Keaton instead of local convict “Dead Shot Dan,” a series of misadventures befall Keaton when he finds the police after him. Even when he attempts to do good, he continually finds himself in “the wrong place at the wrong time.” Visual gags and physical comedy are plentiful.

In honor of “Black-and-White Movie Night,” attendees are encouraged (but not required) to dress up in black and white attire.

The program is free to the public. No reservations are required. For questions, contact [email protected] wchsmn.org or call 651-439-2298. You can also visit the Washington County Heritage Center Tuesday- Sunday from 10am- 4pm.

Buster Keaton and two movies from 1921 will be shown by the Washington County Historical Society on January 25 at the Washington County Heritage Center, located at 1862 South Greeley Street, Stillwater.

Buster Keaton in The Goat.