This was a fun episode that did not try to please everyone. For me it was an episode with humor yet still provided a good who done it. If you think the jokes were bad consider this. Since the early 1900s both comedians and audiences have become smarter and more sophisticated. During the days of Murdoch I believe that people laughed at more simple types of humor. I personally enjoyed listening to Dr Ogden's laughter as she enjoyed the slapstick jokes.
11 Reviews
If Silent Movies Are Your Thing...
Dottie7514 April 2021
Loved this episode! Touching, heartfelt, and at times, simply hilarious. True historical figures mixed with Murdoch mayhem. It may not resonate with you if you are unaware of, or unfamiliar with, silent film star greats. Watch all the way through for an epic tip of the hat to Buster Keaton's house. An absolute hoot!
The best episode a slapstick lover could hope for
lotekguy-122 February 2021
Many of my favorite Murdoch episodes have been those centered around actual historic figures - Twain, Tesla, Edison, Teddy Roosevelt, etc. This vaudeville-themed farce, at the dawn of the silent movie era, tops them all! In one hour, we get Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel, and Buster Keaton in the equivalent of a Marvel Comics superhero origin story. The reviewer who quit after 25 minutes missed a climactic sequence for the ages, as well as from the ages.
A great kickoff to Season 14.
A great kickoff to Season 14.
good start to season 14
thprice-932015 January 2021
I am so pleased this show has returned for another season. Near the end of the episode the house front falls on Murdoch and he is saved by the open window. The young Buster Keaton nods his head. This is one of Keaton's favorite stunts
Wow, and not in a good way...
interceptpubs-898-2469227 February 2021
Perhaps the oddest episode of this series yet. The first three-quarters are ponderously slow and awkward (very atypical of Murdoch Mysteries), although the last quarter hour isn't as bad and a bit more entertaining (mainly for the slapslick elements, an homage to the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel, and Buster Keaton). Jonny Harris is very entertaining during this last segment, but Yannick Bisson surely must have been disappointed by his character's part throughout, more like a bad caricature of William Murdoch.
We're still not sure why Helene Joy's character is even in this episode. She seems to have no other role to play than to laugh uncontrollably at bad vaudeville jokes (some of them repeats from "The Keystone Constable" which is even more puzzling as she acts like she's never seen or heard them before - like the 11 foot pole gag). Shanice Banton is similarly wasted - just walking through a few scenes that appear to be unconnected with the rest of the story. All the characters seem to be oblivious of the events of the previous season's finale - this is particuarly true when one watches how they interact with Banton's characater, very puzzling indeed.
Overall, a real head scratcher - what were they thinking?
We're still not sure why Helene Joy's character is even in this episode. She seems to have no other role to play than to laugh uncontrollably at bad vaudeville jokes (some of them repeats from "The Keystone Constable" which is even more puzzling as she acts like she's never seen or heard them before - like the 11 foot pole gag). Shanice Banton is similarly wasted - just walking through a few scenes that appear to be unconnected with the rest of the story. All the characters seem to be oblivious of the events of the previous season's finale - this is particuarly true when one watches how they interact with Banton's characater, very puzzling indeed.
Overall, a real head scratcher - what were they thinking?
Trying Too Hard To Be Funny
AppalachianMountainWriter11 April 2021
Worst Episode Of The Series
tndlc24 February 2021
Oh no!!!!
valstone5225 February 2021
I love murdoch mysteries, but this has to be one of the worst episodes. Charlie Chaplin, Keaton and Stan laurel. The jokes were not funny in the least. I was hoping season 14 took up where season 13 left off. Crabtree was missing, Julia was being stupid and the coroner was getting powerful. This episode should have been saved, for April's fool's day. It was really dreadful.
A poor start to Season 14
bizlats13 January 2021
A Bungled Homage
info-4242317 June 2021
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