Winter Nights: Steamboat Bill, Jr.

(1928, dirs. Charles Reisner and Buster Keaton, 70 mins., NR)
In the town of River Junction, Captain William Canfield’s old paddle steamer has seen better days. Canfield hopes the arrival of his son, William Canfield Jr. (Buster Keaton), will help him compete with rival James King’s new passenger ship. Willie disappoints his father, not only with his lack of strength, but with his budding relationship with King’s daughter Kitty. Canfield and King resolve to break-up the each other’s businesses and young lovebirds, but when a hurricane reaches River Junction, a daring rescue by Willie brings the group together. Steamboat Bill, Jr. features Keaton’s single most famous stunt – narrowly dodging a falling building – during the cyclone scene.

Promotional support for Winter Nights Film Series is provided by NUVO: Indy's Alternative Voice