Seeing Stars (1922) User Reviews

Another Historic Curio

[CitizenCaine · 4/10 · 4 October 2008]

Several silent film stars appear in what appears to be a newsreel type release advertising up and coming films by this film's stars. The stars include Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Jackie Coogan, Mabel Normand, and many others. The stars were also gathered to form the precursor alliance to the Screen Actor's Guild. The film is not really much. There are a few brief film clips from coming attractions, but for the most part, the film is nothing more than a bunch of talking heads or groups of people standing around and talking at a banquet. There are some interesting stories surrounding some of the stars at this banquet in relation to the death of Thomas Ince, who also appears in this film. Otherwise, the film is just another historic curio. *1/2 of 4 stars.

Seeing Stars was an interesting short because of the historical first-time look of Chaplin and Keaton in the same frame

[tavm · 27 July 2009]

Just watched a four-minute extract of this originally eight minute short on the "Industrial Strength Keaton" DVD collection. It marked the first time Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin were on screen together 30 years before Limelight. Nothing special concerning laughs, just a real-life gathering at the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood for the forming of the Screen Artists Guild with Buster waiting on Charlie, Chaplin's child co-star of The Kid Jackie Coogan, director Marshall Neilan who just did Penrod, and producer Thomas Ince. The inter-titles make a peppy commentary on the proceedings which resembles the kind of narration you'd hear on many '30s newsreels. Worth a look for historical purposes. P.S. If you're not familiar with Chaplin off-screen without his Tramp costume or mustache, he's on the left of the screen with Coogan.

History

[Michael_Elliott · 28 February 2008]

Seeing Stars (1922)

**** (out of 4)

Here's a rather historically incredible promotional film from First National. For years it was believe that Keaton and Charles Chaplin didn't work together until Limelight but the two of them are together here. Filmed at the Ambassador Hotel in L.A., this film gathered together various silent stars to promote the Independent Film Guild. In the film Keaton is waiting on Chaplin and Jackie Coogan. No laughs but it's an incredible sight to see this film.

You can find this short on Laughsmith's Buster Keaton set.