Review of Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) by Tom H — 19 Feb 2012

Buster Keaton plays Willie Canfield, the wimpy son of a big and tough steamboat captain "Steamboat Bill" Canfield (Ernest Torrence) who has returned home from going to school in Boston. When Steamboat Bill isn't trying to teach his son how to become a man, he is often carrying on a feud with his rival John James King (Tom McGuire), the owner of another fancy boat. Willie falls in love with King's daughter Mary King (Marlon Byron). The two of them try to have their fathers make amends, but it just seems impossible once Bill is jailed for punching King. Willie tries to bust his dad out of jail but only winds up in the hospital while trying to escape from the police. While Willie is lying in a hospital bed, a cyclone hits town, knocking down any buildings in the way. When he wakes up, Willie tries his best to stand up against all the wind. Through hugging a tree truck that goes flying in the wind, he makes it to the waterfront where he proves his manhood by rescuing his father, his love, and her father.

It may not be the best of Buster Keaton's classics but it's still very much a joy to watch, as all of his films are. The first half is mostly character development with a few gags here and there but what makes this a brilliant film is the final 20 minutes where a cyclone takes over the town, tearing apart each building and throwing houses into the air. The most iconic image, and probably of Keaton's entire career, is a dangerous stunt where the front of a house falls right on top of him but he is able to make it out as someone conveniently left a window open. It's a really funny movie that shows off Buster Keaton's great craftsmanship as a filmmaker. Essential viewing. 10/10.