If it's a bit lighter on laughs than some other Buster Keaton pictures, Steamboat Bill Jr. more than makes up for it with some absolutely brilliant set pieces. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
In this silent comedy, college boy William Canfield Jr. (Buster Keaton) reunites with his boat captain father in a Mississippi River town. Though he's flummoxed by Willie's citified appearance, the elder Canfield seems to have found an ally to help him compete with fellow riverboat owner John James King (Tom McGuire). Willie finds himself falling for King's daughter, Mary (Marion Byron), but he has more pressing concerns when the weather turns bad and his father in arrested.
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Genre: Comedy, Action, Drama
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Original Language: English
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Director: Charles Reisner, Buster Keaton
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Writer: Carl Harbaugh
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Release Date (Theaters): original
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Runtime:
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Distributor: United Artists
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Production Co: Buster Keaton Productions Inc. [us]
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Aspect Ratio: Academy (1.33:1)
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News & Interviews for Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Critic Reviews for Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Audience Reviews for Steamboat Bill, Jr.
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The son of a rundown riverboat captain returns to his dad after college, slick and citi-fied, a disappointment to his dad and the laughingstock of the town. Only the girl he knew in school thinks anything much of him, and she's the daughter of the town big-shot (Pop's nemesis) too. How to repair his reputation, get Pop's respect, the respect of Pop's enemy, and win the girl? And a big storm coming on? The storm proves the height of Keaton's talents as some of his most memorable sight gags happen during its rage, and Keaton enters film history with pride.
kevin w Super Reviewer -
Buster Keaton is his usual adorable, amazing, and funny self in this story of the son of a riverboat captain who tries to learn the ropes from his father while being attracted to the daughter of a rival captain. Keaton's character hasn't seen his father since he was a baby, and his scrawny build and beret are a disappointment to his father, played by Ernest Torrence. The movie is a teeny bit slow at the start, though there is a funny scene of his father trying to select a new hat for him. Stick with it. It builds to funny moments in the local jail (love that backwards rock toss), and then some fantastic scenes at the end, when a cyclone strikes, with Keaton displaying great physical comedy as well as bravery. In one of his most famous stunts, the side of building comes crashing down on him, only to miss him because he's standing in the spot the doorway lands. There are several other dazzling moments in an extended sequence that is the genius and crescendo to the film. The first half of the film is not as strong, and it would have been nice if the love interest (Marion Byron) had been expanded a little more, but this is still a very enjoyable, heartwarming movie, with some truly unique moments.
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Keaton was an incomparable genius and this is made pretty evident in the film's exceptionally well-directed third act, when he tries everything to escape a storm and surprises us with his incredible audacity and endless disposition to put himself in life-threatening situations.
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It is difficult for me to determine whether I like Keaton or Chaplin more as silent slapstick actors. I thought Keaton was brilliant here as an unlikely captain of a steamboat. The laughs continue to hold up today.
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