King of comedy buster keatons 1928 masterpiece is still in a class of its own funny with heart. The rest of the movie was almost entirely at what is now broderick, just across the sacramento river from downtown sacramento. At this point, bills estranged son, willie canfield jr. The cameraman would follow for mgm later the same year, and thats a good movie too, but it still marked the beginning of keatons decline under the inflexible constraints of a studio system that simply didnt understand how best to. This freedom had allowed keaton such luxuries as filming a train crashing into a river from a burning bridge at the then astronomical sum. Buster keatons 1928 silent movie steamboat bill, jr, now on rerelease, is most famous for that staggeringly clever and ambitious shot of the house front with the strategically positioned open. Steamboat bill, jr ultimate edition on dvd 738329069421 from kino video. Steamboat bill ernest torrence and his faithful first mate tom lewis run the most dilapidated paddle steamer on the river. I was taught that by 1928 that speed was standardized, at least in america. Steamboat bill jr byron, marion, keaton, joe, lewis. Released by united artists, the film is the last product of keatons independent production team and set of gag writers. Yet, at its heart, the central story of steamboat bill jr. The alloy orchestra turns in a playful score using fewer percussive rhythms than the companion show, but has its own odd melodies hammered out on banjos and metallicsounding instruments. Keaton ended up moving to metrogoldwynmayer where he made one last film in his trademark style, the cameraman.
Keaton plays willie canfield, the nambypamby son of rough. This movie was used as a model for steamboat willie 1928, mickey mouses first cartoon with sound. Starring buster keaton live piano accompaniment by steve sterner new years day 1928 ukeleleplaying collegiate twit buster is a big disappointment to gruff seafaring dad ernest torrence, untilthe big cyclone finale is surely one of the most fantastic dithyrambs of disaster ever committed to film rudi blesh. What makes it so good is the completeness of many elements that come together in the tightest, most enjoyable package imaginable. Steamboat bill, jr 1928, directed by charles f reisner. In this silent comedy, college boy william canfield jr. This is a procedural move request as this page was moved to steamboat bill, jr.
Staring marion byron, buster keaton and ernest torrence. Buster keaton reunites with his boat captain father in a mississippi river town. Keaton plays willie canfield, the nambypamby son of roughandtumble steamboat captain steamboat bill canfield ernest torrence. Steamboat bill, jr the last comedy buster keaton made under his united artists contract, it was held back for several months, getting itself concerned in several wild rumors. Part comedy, part romance, and part disastermovie adventure, steamboat bill, jr. The cameraman would follow for mgm later the same year, and thats a good movie too, but it still marked the beginning of keatons decline under the inflexible constraints of a studio system that simply didnt understand how best to harness his comic genius. Steamboat bill 1928 hd movie buster keaton youtube. This particular stunt was noted for being done without any trickery and for being botched by the crew at one point.
One of buster keatons most famous films, this silent movie from 1928 stars keaton as a steamboat owners son, who hasnt seen his father since he was very young. Silent films may not pack in big crowds today, but youd be a fool to miss the chance to see this on the big screen. Its reported that both the cameraman and director were too scared to watch when the stunt was performed. The owner of this website is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon properties including, but not limited to,,, or. Rereleased in cinemas this week, after a sparkling 4k restoration, buster keatons silent comedy steamboat bill, jr. Steamboat bill, jr ultimate edition dvd 1928 dvd empire. The plot is about a student who returns to smalltown mississippi to take over his fathers steamboat. Directed by charles reisner and, though uncredited, buster keaton, the film weaves a classic narrative together with hilarious comic beats and breathtaking setpieces. He eagerly awaits the arrival of his college student son, whom he has not seen since the lad was a baby. With buster keaton, tom mcguire, ernest torrence, tom lewis. This movie was used as a model for steamboat willie 1928. While mgms the cameraman 1928 is a funny film and was very successful upon its original release, steamboat bill, jr. The effete son of a cantankerous riverboat captain comes to join his fathers crew. Worth it for the storm sequence alone, which is staggering in its audacity, and shakespearean in its execution.
Now committed to protecting his jailed father s interest against rival king tom mcguire, hospitalized bill director and star buster keaton is compelled into action by weather conditions, beginning the landmark actioncomedy finale of steamboat bill, jr. Released by united artists, the film is the last product of keatons independent production. King, tom lewis tom carter, the stonewall jacksons first mate buster keaton productions, incorporated, production. Half the crew walked off the set rather than participate in a stunt that would have killed keaton if he had been slightly off position. Charles reisner, 1928 buster keaton, for his final independently produced feature, enjoyed a level of complete creative control with no budgetary restrictions afforded only a select few. Directed by charles reisner and, though uncredited, buster keaton, the film weaves a classic narrative together with. Not the best of buster keatons silents, steamboat bill, jr. Buster keaton ernest torrence marion byron 1928 a college wimp buster keaton tries to please his burly riverboatcaptain father ernest torrence. Jul 23, 2015 in this silent comedy, college boy william canfield jr. The just out of college effete son of a nononsense steamboat captain comes to visit his father whom hes not seen since he was little.
Sep 17, 2015 buster keatons 1928 silent movie steamboat bill, jr, now on rerelease, is most famous for that staggeringly clever and ambitious shot of the house front with the strategically positioned open. One of the most beloved, iconic comedies in a career full of them, steamboat bill jr. Flavored with americana and loaded with cinematic inventiveness, steamboat bill, jr. King tom mcguire hopes to run him out of business with a fancier, more expensive vessel. William steamboat bill canfield is the owner and captain of a paddle steamer that has seen better days. Eventually his father gets fed up and tells him to return to boston. National catholic register if the general is buster keatons allaround best film, steamboat bill, jr.
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