The Cook

This is one movie I never will forget. It scores a 10 in all departments: Choreography (unbelievable !), Pacing (Fast and Accurate), Weird (the rendition of "salome" with kitchen stuff as costume, coming out of nowhere, is by far the most decadent stuff to be ever put on a Silent Movie - I mean: Fatty Arbuckle is Genius !) I would have wanted to roll on the floor laughing but it was not possible, because I couldn't get my eyes off the screen, I was THAT amazed by the furious things Buster and Fatty are doing all the time. The humor is outstanding. This Masterpiece was long time vanished, but for god's sake found again. It was the first movie I saw from Fatty, so after that I was a huge fan of him. And Buster - never saw a guy who was more fitting in Slapstick. This Movie is one hell of a ride - GO SEE IT !!!!!

I was amazed at the effortlessness and grace of this "lost and found" Fatty Arbuckle-Buster Keaton comedy. The first reel is particularly hilarious, with Fatty cooking and juggling his utensils, "flipping a flap" onto waiter Buster's plate. A less inhibited Buster also provides a spontaneous, exotic dance. And, as usual, Arbuckle's nephew, Al St. John, heartily contributes to the anarchy.

One get the sense that these three men (along with Luke the dog) had the time of their lives designing such memorable slapstick!

This treat ranks alongside "The Garage" has one of the best Keaton-Arbuckle shorts!

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.

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.