Muskegon Magazine.com, Muskegon County's online magazine

Buster Builds a House in “One Week”

PRESENTED BY GARY SCOTT BEATTY, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR, MUSKEGONMAGAZINE.COM, AND AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

Buster and his new wife receive a build-it-yourself house as a wedding gift in "One Week" (1920).

One of my favorite Keaton shorts, "One Week" was supposedly inspired by a Ford Motor Company educational short about prefabricated housing. Keaton and wife (Sybil Seely) have a hard time because a rejected suitor renumbers the house's packing crates.

Well before digital special effects, the physical comedy happened as filmed. The house was built on a turntable device, so it would spin. The train sequence is real. And Buster really did these stunts.


In the early 1900’s performers began to spend summers in the Bluffton area. Buster’s father, Joe, helped found the Actor’s Colony club there and by 1911, over 200 performers resided in the colony. By the early 1920’s, the California film industry lured many vaudevillian performers to Hollywood, including Buster and his family.

Muskegon Magazine.com, Muskegon County's online magazine

Above, October 1920 advertisement in Motion Picture News featuring Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely, promoting "One Week."


These Works are in Public Domain and not Derivative as specified by U.S. copyright law (title 17 of the U.S. Code).

Writer and illustrator Gary Scott Beatty is excited to share projects, art, video and other updates with those who are interested in illustrated fiction. If you want to enjoy a free story, and have him share his creative journey with you, join the Aazurn Fan List at StrangeHorror.com.

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Muskegon Magazine.com is locally owned and produced. Gary Scott Beatty, editor and publisher. Contents and design © Copyright Gary Scott Beatty, 1509 Princeton Rd., Muskegon, Michigan 49441. Inquire about advertising here.

Muskegon Magazine.com is an educational and informational service to help you make informed decisions. The content, tools and services of Muskegon Magazine.com are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Privacy.

Muskegon Magazine.com, Muskegon County's online magazine
JULY 2025
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Contents:

YOUR PET
Protect your pet! End of life expert Jodi Clock explains the importance of planning for your pet by setting up a pet trust in this informative article.

THE ARTS
Gary Scott Beatty is formatting his illustrations and story for a new print project, but there are more snags than he anticipated. Follow along as he preps a 260-page book.

COMMUNITY
Inflation is hitting your breakfast, and families who can least afford it! Dom Bunker of United Way of the Lakeshore shows what Muskegon County ALICE families face at the table.

LAKESHORE STAR GAZER
The Milky Way, planets, a meteor shower are all observable this month. MCC Astronomer Jonathan Truax is your guide!

BUSTER KEATON
Buster and his new wife receive a build-it-yourself house as a wedding gift. No digital effects, the physical comedy happened as filmed! Enjoy "One Week."

EVENTS CALENDAR
Track and discover area events here with Muskegon County's best online events calendar, courtesy of Visit Muskegon!

Click here to return to CONTENTS PAGE.
Inquire about ADVERTISING here.

Muskegon Magazine.com is locally owned and produced. Gary Scott Beatty, editor and publisher. Contents and design © Copyright Gary Scott Beatty, 1509 Princeton Rd., Muskegon, Michigan 49441.

Muskegon Magazine.com is an educational and informational service to help you make informed decisions. The content, tools and services of Muskegon Magazine.com are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Privacy.