Seven Chances

Silent classic that Keaton almost didn't make, believing instead that it should go to Harold Lloyd. Desperate lawyer Jimmie Shannon (Keaton) finds that he can inherit $7 million from his grandfather's estate if he marries by 7:00 p.m. on his 27th birthday, which is that day. After his girlfriend (Dwyer) turns down his botched proposal, chaos breaks loose when Jimmie advertises for someone--anyone--to marry him and make him rich. Suddenly he finds what seems to be hundreds of women willing to make the sacrifice, setting up one of the great film pursuits. Memorable boulder sequence was re-shot after preview audience indicated climax was lacking that certain something. Based on the play by David Belasco and remade with Chris O'Donnell as "The Bachelor" (1990).