Plots(1)
Wealthy Rollo Treadway (Buster Keaton) suddenly decides to propose to his neighbour across the street, Betsy O'Brien (Kathryn McGuire), and sends his servant to book passage for a honeymoon sea cruise to Honolulu. When Betsy rejects his sudden offer however, he decides to go on the trip anyway, boarding without delay that night. Because the pier number is partially covered, he ends up on the wrong ship, the Navigator, which Betsy's rich father has just sold to a small country at war. Keaton was unhappy with the audience response to Sherlock Jr., and endeavoured to make a follow up that was both exciting and successful. The result was the biggest hit of Keaton's career. (Eureka Entertainment)
(more)Reviews (2)
Boat dining, night hauntings, underwater propeller repair, swordfighting (with swordfish), rescue from cannibals, fireworks shenanigans... In short, one idea after another and Buster Keaton in top form. Pity about the slower start.
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The Navigator doesn't reach the quality of The General and is a much simpler slapstick where the plot unfolds for about five minutes and the rest is just a comedy show (this time on a boat), but still serves a generous portion of inventive and timeless fun. Whether the order of the day is simply running around the deck, finding a safe and comfortable berth, repairing the ship from the outside (which is one of the highlights of Buster's comedy) or fending off the attacks of natives, Keaton's acting and, especially at the end, the very creative direction (the scene where Rollo runs out of oxygen underwater and his love is held captive by cannibals on land) do not leave the viewer bored for a moment. The deux ex machina ending is a bit weak, but not enough to ruin it.
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