Review of Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) by Byron B — 20 Jul 2013

Keaton is the title son of a rough steamboat captain. Willie Canfield has been staying with his mother in Boston and developed a sort of French style in appearance and demure style in personality. Willie's pop, the big strong Steamboat Bill (Torrence), has a hell of a time showing Junior the ropes and forcing his son into the masculine mold he expects.

Steamboat Bill also has a huge rival in J.J. King (McGuire), who owns everything in town except Bill's old fashioned steamboat in need of repair. King's daughter "Kitty," the adorable Marion Byron, arrives in town too around the same time as Willie.

Turns out they know each other from Boston. The younger generation doesn't know or care about the fighting between their families. It is a classic star-crossed-lovers story. There are plenty of sight gags throughout to keep your attention.

Eventually King has Steamboat Bill thrown in jail on a bogus charge. It is up to Willie to save his father whether he wants saving or not. This frustrating situation couldn't have happened at a worse time too, as a big storm is passing through.

The recent Oscar winning animated short The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is partially based on the hurricane like destruction we witness in this comedy. Buster Keaton is excellent at planning pratfalls and set destruction for maximum visual humor.

When Junior pulls himself together and really plays the hero to save his girl and his dad, you can't help but cheer.