The next project confirmed Keaton's fears about studio interference. He was handed a script titled Sidewalks of New York (1931), in which he played a millionaire becoming involved with a slum-neighborhood girl and a gang of rowdy kids. Keaton thought the premise was totally unsuitable, and was uncomfortable with his directors Jules White and Zion Myers, who emphasized blunt slapstick. "I went over (Weingarten's) head and appealed to Irving Thalberg to help get me out of the assignment. Irving was usually on my side, but this time he said, 'Larry likes it. Everybody else in the studio likes the story. You are the only one who doesn't.' In the end, I gave up like a fool and said 'what the hell?' Who was I to say I was right and everyone was wrong?" The film's emphasis on obvious slapstick made it unsuitable for the usual, prestigious Broadway premiere -- it opened simultaneously in two New York side-street theaters -- but the less discriminating audiences in small towns across America flocked to the film, resulting in an ultimate success.
The next project confirmed Keaton's fears about studio interference He was handed a script titled Sidewalks of New York (1931) in which he played a millionaire becoming involved with a slum-neighborhood girl and a gang of rowdy kids Keaton thought the premise was totally unsuitable and was uncomfortable with his directors Jules White and Zion Myers who emphasized blunt slapstick "I went over (Weingarten's) head and appealed to Irving Thalberg to help get me out of the assignment Irving was usually on my side but this time he said 'Larry likes it Everybody else in the studio likes the story You are the only one who doesn't' In the end I gave up like a fool and said 'what the hell' Who was I to say I was right and everyone was wrong" The film's emphasis on obvious slapstick made it unsuitable for the usual prestigious Broadway premiere -- it opened simultaneously in two New York side-street theaters -- but the less discriminating audiences in small towns across America flocked to the film resulting in an ultimate success