Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
Directed by Charles Reisner and co-written, co-produced, and starring Buster Keaton, Steamboat Bill, Jr. is a landmark silent comedy that blends slapstick brilliance with emotional depth. Released by United Artists on May 12, 1928, it was Keaton’s final independent production before his move to MGM, marking the end of his creative autonomy and the peak of his cinematic artistry.
Plot Summary
Young William Canfield Jr. (Keaton), a foppish college graduate, arrives in a Mississippi river town to reconnect with his gruff father, Steamboat Bill Canfield (Ernest Torrence), who runs a struggling paddle steamer. Bill Sr. is locked in a bitter rivalry with the wealthy J.J. King, owner of a modern steamboat—and father of William’s love interest, Kitty King (Marion Byron).
Initially dismissed as weak and useless, William tries to prove himself amid comic mishaps. When a massive cyclone hits the town, he rises to the occasion in a series of breathtaking stunts, including the legendary moment when a building façade collapses around him—saved only by standing in the exact spot of an open window.
Cast Highlights
- Buster Keaton as William Canfield Jr.
- Ernest Torrence as Steamboat Bill Canfield
- Marion Byron as Kitty King
- Tom McGuire as J.J. King
- Tom Lewis as First Mate
Production Notes
- Cinematography by Dev Jennings and Bert Haines
- Runtime: ~70 minutes (8 reels)
- Famous for its cyclone sequence, which used giant wind machines and full-scale collapsing sets
- The falling house stunt is one of the most iconic in film history—Keaton risked serious injury for the shot
- Though not a box office success at the time, the film is now considered a masterpiece of physical comedy and visual storytelling
