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OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1362

The Scarecrow

192021 minUnited States

Video edition: Wikimedia Commons
Original language: No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: English.
This copy runs: 19:06
Subtitles: No subtitle track in this language

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Edward F. Cline / Buster Keaton · Public domain

Synopsis

Two farmhands compete for the farmer's daughter while sharing an ingeniously arranged home. A dog chase leaves one of them borrowing a scarecrow's clothes, and a misunderstanding turns his escape into a pursuit involving a motorcycle and a minister.

Cast

Buster Keaton

Sybil Seely

Joe Keaton

Joe Roberts

DirectorsEdward F. Cline Buster Keaton

Behind the scenes

Keaton and Edward F. Cline turn farm equipment, household devices and moving vehicles into a continuous source of physical comedy. Joe Keaton, Buster's father, plays the farmer.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film reference Wikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 16, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

Buster Keaton — Unknown author · Public domain
Sybil Seely — Metro Pictures, Convict 13 lobby card (1920); Heritage Auctions / Wikimedia Commons. Detail showing Sybil Seely. · Public domain in the United States (PD-US-expired)
Joe Keaton — Nyvall, N.Y.; Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Buster Keaton scrapbook http://digitalcollections.oscars.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15759coll8/id/351 · Public domain
Joe Roberts — Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research · Public domain

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