The ‘High Sign’ (1921)

Directed by: Eddie Cline

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Buster Keaton gets a job at a shooting gallery which brings him into contact with a group of hoodlums out to kill a businessman.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): When Buster applies for the job at the shooting gallery it is with the idea that he is a crack shot. He actually can’t shoot straight, so when he sees a dog eating a meat bone he gets an idea. He rigs up a system by which the bone is hanging from a rope outside. When Buster steps on a lever on the floor, the bone is lowered, the dog lunges for it and pulls a string that rings a bell. At first this system works perfectly. Then a black cat appears around the corner from the dog.

The High Sign - black cat looking around corner of building at dog
The High Sign - black cat looking around corner of building

The cat hisses at the dog. The dog lunges for the cat over and over, ringing the bell constantly. This causes some complications for Buster until the string breaks!

The High Sign - black cat arching back
The High Sign - black cat arching back and hissing
The High Sign - black cat arching back
The High Sign - dog lunging for black cat around corner of building
The High Sign - dog lunging for black cat around corner of building
The High Sign - black cat hissing at dog around corner of building causing dog to ring bell startling Buster Keaton animated gif

Final Mewsings: Cats know how to ring a dog’s bell.

Many thanks to Mark Murton for reminding us of the cat in this short film!

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