The Electric House – Buster Keaton’s nutty plug-in chaos

Right, so, The Electric House. First time I watched it, I was maybe twelve, sitting criss-cross on my uncle Bosse’s threadbare sofa in Sollentuna, snacking on salty Dumle and pretending I totally understood everything that happened on the screen. It’s one of those black-and-white short films from 1922, starring, of course, Buster Keaton. The stoneface legend himself! Written and co-produced by Keaton as well, because apparently he didn’t know when to take a break.

You know what gets me? The absolute madness of those contraptions he builds; moving stairs, spaghetti dispensers, a fish tank in the bathroom… All with that straight face. It’s almost hypnotic – like staring at a moose on the E4 at midnight. I mean, sure, you COULD say it’s just silly, but it’s got this kind of understated terror, like “what if your life really was all buttons and whirring cogs and no off-switch?” I swear, sometimes my messy Studentboende kitchen gives off similar vibes.

Now, producers and directors back then, like Joe Roberts (who pops up as the villain here), and Keaton’s own team, really didn’t mess around. This is proper slapstick, no digital tricks – just Buster risking life and limb rolling down those crazy staircases. You just don’t get that kinda stunts today unless someone’s trying to get viral on TikTok.

Was it perfect? Nja, maybe not. The middle bits wander off a bit – almost like Keaton forgot his own plot at times. I lost track, I’ll admit, and checked my phone (classic, I know). But it is a quick watch, only like 20 minutes. If you want to feel like Sweden in spring – unpredictable, a little bit bonkers, and somehow charming – this is it.

Seriously, grab a kanelbulle, call a mate over, watch it and try not to laugh. Lycka till!

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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