In the town of River Junction, Captain William "Steamboat Bill" Canfield Sr. (Ernest Torrence), once the towns leading citizen, owns the riverboat “Stonewall Jackson”. John James King (Tom McGuire), the towns wealthiest citizen, owns a competing boat and is attempting to create Bill's financial collapse. Bill is informed that after years of separation his son, William Canfield Jr. (Buster Keaton), will arrive by train from Boston to see him. Happily anticipating the arrival of his son, Bill goes to the station to meet William Jr. Believing that he will have an able-bodied partner in his struggle with King, Bill is dismayed to find that Willie is a weakling, both physically and personally. Bill Sr. brings Jr. into town for a makeover and once there, Jr meets and falls in love with Kitty King (Marion Byron)--J.J. King's daughter. From there on out, Bill Jr. must prove his manhood to his father, while winning Kitty’s heart and the respect of her father.
Steamboat Bill Jr. is a comedic 1928 silent film staring Buster Keaton. Upon release, it was not a critical nor box-office success, and was the last picture Keaton made for United Artists. However, over the years it has become regarded as a masterpiece of its era. The film is widely known for one of Keaton’s most famous stunts, an entire building facade collapsing onto him, one of the best pre-computer era special effects ever. The hurricane sequence shows that Hollywood relies too much on computer effects today and that, in many cases, practical effects can produce a picture more bang its buck. It is remarkable how even though the film is silent the performances come across so well. Keaton was quoted as saying, “They say pantomime's a lost art. It's never been a lost art and never will be, because it's too natural to do.” Busters various scenes of pantomiming are particularly funny; and even though he was known as "The Great Stone Face,” he was clearly expressive just by moving his hands or eyes.
Visually, the film's direction is properly handled with the laughs, thrills, and romance, the film fulfills all expectations of a Buster Keaton film, while surpassing many of the films made today. Though the story is decidedly basic, the last twenty minutes coupled with Keaton’s screen presence save the picture. The supporting cast is satisfying as well, particularly Torrence as Bill Sr. Many may want to start with either The General (1926) or The Cameraman (1928) as an introductory to Keaton, but this film works just as well. Keaton's mastery of pantomime, stunt work, and film-making all come together making Steamboat Bill Jr. is a delight from start to finish and a masterpiece on almost every level.
- Directed by--Charles Reisner
- Produced by--Joseph M. Schenck
- Written by--Carl Harbaugh
- Starring--Buster Keaton, Marion Byron, and Ernest Torrence
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