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Sherlock, Jr.

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Sherlock, Jr.

Released Apr 21, 1924

48m

Comedy

Drama

Action

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

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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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

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Roy Ellarcotte

Detroit Free Press

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

Feb 23, 2024

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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

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

No other silent film turns logic on its head with such grace and comic hilarity.

Apr 26, 2025

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

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

Apr 17, 2024

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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

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Alexsander B

Simply incredible and revolutionary, a film full of playful and poetic adventures, it's a must-see for any self-respecting film buff.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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A M

Revolutionary, Keaton was one of the great geniuses of his century

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/12/24

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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

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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

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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

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Christian K

Simple and effective. Magnificent stunt work.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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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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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
Producer: Joseph M. Schenck, 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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