THE PALEFACE

(director/writer: Buster Keaton/Edward F. Cline; cinematographer: Elgin Lessley; cast: Buster Keaton (Little Chief Paleface), Virginia Fox (Indian Maiden), Joe Roberts (Indian Chief); Runtime: 20; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Joseph M. Schenck; TCM; 1922-silent)

“A two-reel comedy classic.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

A two-reel comedy classic directed, written and acted with great skill by Buster Keaton(“College”/”The General”/”Steamboat Bill Jr.“). Edward F. Cline is the uncredited co-director and co-writer.

Evil oil barons kill to get the deed to Indian territory and give them 24 hours to vacate. The irate chief (Joe Roberts) tells the tribe to kill the first white man that shows his face. That happens to be butterfly hunter Buster Keaton, who becomes their captive and then goes through their initiation of burning at the stake and surviving because his underwear is fireproof. He then joins the tribe as their Little Chief Paleface and recovers the deed. He also chooses to wed the flirty squaw (Virginia Fox).

REVIEWED ON 7/4/2015 GRADE: B+