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Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
A silent comedy film released by United Artists.
The film is the final product of Buster Keaton’s independent production team and set of gag writers. It was not a box-office success and became the last picture Keaton made for United Artists. Keaton ended up moving to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he made one last film in his trademark style, The Cameraman before his creative control was taken away by the studio.
The film is known for what might be considered Keaton’s most famous film stunt: The facade of an entire house falls on top of him while he stands in the perfect spot to pass through the open attic window instead of being flattened.
Keaton did the antic himself with a genuine, two-ton building facade and no trickery. It has been claimed that if he had stood just inches off the correct spot, Keaton would have been seriously injured or killed.
In 2016, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Over the years, Steamboat Bill, Jr. has become regarded as a masterpiece of its era.
| Directed by |
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| Produced by | Joseph M. Schenck |
| Screenplay by |
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| Story by | Carl Harbaugh |
| Starring | Buster Keaton |
| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Sherman Kell (uncredited) |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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71 minutes (7 reels) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent film English intertitles |
