Sherlock, Jr.

Released Apr 21, 1924

48m

Comedy

Drama

Action

Romance

List

86%

43 Reviews

Tomatometer

95%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A kindly movie projectionist (Buster Keaton) longs to be a detective. When his fiancée (Kathryn McGuire) is robbed by a local thief (Ward Crane), the poor projectionist is framed for the crime. Using his amateur detective skills, the projectionist follows the thief to the train station -- only to find himself locked in a train car. Disheartened, he returns to his movie theater, where he falls asleep and dreams that he is the great Sherlock Holmes.

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Critics Consensus

Sherlock, Jr. showcases enough of Buster Keaton's brilliance to make it well worth a watch, even if the laughs don't flow quite as freely as they do with some of his other features.

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Jarrod R

A century old this year and it HOLDS UP! (Like a fine wine being smashed through a window) This is easily one of my favorite silent movies and had me laughing throughout. Also had many moments when I thought, "how did they do THAT?!" Outstanding physical comedy as always from the legendary Buster Keaton

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/09/24

Full Review

Jonathan G

Actually one of the best and most important films to date. Everything aged great, the score is the bomb, the comedy is hilarious, and this is just everything you want from a great classic. Absolutely love it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

Full Review

Lars N

Besides all the stunts, that for a century-old movie still manage to give me the jitters, this thing is so lovely, inventive and fun.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/23

Full Review

Christian K

Simple and effective. Magnificent stunt work.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Buster Keaton is at it again in Sherlock, Jr. The film is about a film projectionist who yearns to be a detective. Buster Keaton once again puts on a wonderful performance as he was able to utilize his iconic physicality and dry humor to create a hilarious surreal cinematic film. The film's visuals were nothing short of fantastic. Even the stunts that Keaton pulled off were wonderful. The film's writing was also pretty top notch as the film about someone who wants to be a detective has an ironic twist. Overall, Sherlock, Jr. is an impressive and humorous film with surrealism and impressive stunts that make me very fond of Buster Keaton and his work.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Christopher B

Buster Keaton is a cinematic genius, and few would argue that. His films are some of the greatest comedies of all time and the more I see the more I agree that his films truly are a one of a kind experience. Filled with humor, drama, and Keaton's insane physically dangerous stunts, you have a formula for pure classic comedy genius! Sherlock Jr. employees amazing effects and truly is the creation of someone who understands and can manipulate cinema for his own visions! The film is a must see by any and everyone! It's also a great starting place for silent film newbies to start. Highly Recommended!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/20/22

Full Review

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Buster Keaton

Director

Buster Keaton

Sherlock, Jr.

Kathryn McGuire

The Girl

Ward Crane

The Sheik

Joe Keaton

The Girl's Father

Erwin Connelly

The Hired Man

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Kenneth Taylor

Los Angeles Times

As the small town motion-picture projectionist who is studying to be a detective on the side, Keaton is seen to great advantage. The picture seems to be funnier than Our Hospitality, measuring well up to the standard of Three Ages.

Feb 23, 2024

Full Review

Roy Ellarcotte

Detroit Free Press

[Sherlock, Jr.] is about the best thing this "straight face" comedian has done.

Feb 23, 2024

Full Review

Mordaunt Hall

New York Times

There is an extremely good comedy which will give you plenty of amusement, so long as you permit Mr. Keaton to glide into his work with his usual deliberation.

Feb 23, 2024

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Buster Keaton’s 1924 Sherlock Jr., perhaps the ultimate proof of his ingeniousness...

Apr 17, 2024

Full Review

Herman Shumlin

Billboard

It is packed with laughable incidents, ridiculous tricks that will cause roars of real belly-laughs, and will send them home just a bit ashamed at having laughed so much, just as it did this reviewer.

Feb 23, 2024

Full Review

Robert E. Sherwood

LIFE

Like all Keaton comedies Sherlock, Jr., is constructed with amazing ingenuity.

Feb 23, 2024

Full Review

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Synopsis

A kindly movie projectionist (Buster Keaton) longs to be a detective. When his fiancée (Kathryn McGuire) is robbed by a local thief (Ward Crane), the poor projectionist is framed for the crime. Using his amateur detective skills, the projectionist follows the thief to the train station -- only to find himself locked in a train car. Disheartened, he returns to his movie theater, where he falls asleep and dreams that he is the great Sherlock Holmes.

Director: Buster Keaton
Screenwriter: Clyde Bruckman, Jean Havez, Joseph A. Mitchell
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Image Entertainment Inc., Kino Video
Production Co: Buster Keaton Productions Inc. [us]
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Action, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 21, 1924, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 9, 2019
Runtime: 48m

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