IMDb > Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 2)
Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) -- The effete son of a cantankerous riverboat captain comes to join his father's crew.

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   3,607 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Carl Harbaugh (story)
Contact:
View company contact information for Steamboat Bill, Jr. on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 May 1928 (USA) more
Tagline:
The Laugh Special of the Age. See It.
Plot:
The effete son of a cantankerous riverboat captain comes to join his father's crew. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Amazing hurricane finale saves the film. more (40 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Buster Keaton ... William Canfield Jr.
Tom McGuire ... John James King
Ernest Torrence ... William 'Steamboat Bill' Canfield Sr.
Tom Lewis ... Tom Carter, first mate
Marion Byron ... Kitty King (credit only)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
71 min | Argentina:73 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Marion Byron could not swim, so the scenes where her character is in the river with Buster were filmed with Buster's real-life sister Louise serving as Marion's stunt double. The two were both the same size - 4'11". The water was very cold and during a day of filming Buster and Louise consumed 4-5 glasses of French Brandy to keep them warm. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Just before the house facade falls on Keaton, a stagehand can be seen through the first floor window giving it an extra push. more
Quotes:
William 'Steamboat Bill' Canfield Sr.: I'll run on this river if I'm the only passenger on the boat. more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Jackass Number Two (2006) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 13 people found the following comment useful.
Amazing hurricane finale saves the film., 20 April 2005
7/10
Author: (aandersen@landmark.edu) from Putney, VT

A great deal of the film bored me, although there were some clever bits (Keaton meeting his girl in adjoining barber chairs, the pantomiming of the saw and tools baked into the loaf of bread). By the time we get to the last fifteen minutes we are ready for a socko finale and that is what we get. Some amazing stunts, including the famous one where a house front falls on Buster and he is saved, by standing in the exact location where an open window falls. Buildings are lifted away from the ground and deposited just as amazingly. One seems to fall right on Buster as he is walking, only to have him calmly open the door and walk out of it as if nothing has happened. His holding onto a tree which lifts into the air, blows along above ground and deposits him in the river is truly unexpected.

Kino's video makes use of an excellent print with organ, xylophone and sound effects (bells). Note the four note theme for the steamboat - it's Jerome Kern's "Cotton Blossom" from SHOWBOAT.

A bit slow going at times but worth sticking with for the amazing storm sequence.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (40 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Music Score KohrdanVoss
I finally saw it in full glory aresu
WHAT THE?????!!!!!!! Nich-merry
Favourite Part(s) DirectorOfActors
Watching a good Buster Keaton is like watching a good Jackie Chan movie petestubbs
Steamboat in Monterey funeralmoon-1
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Gone with the Wind The Notebook Billy Liar The Night of the Hunter The Miracle of Morgan's Creek
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Action section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.