The Paleface

Plot

Buster Keaton plays a mild-mannered butterfly collector who wanders into an Indian encampment while pursuing a rare specimen. Unbeknownst to him, the tribe has sworn to kill the first white man who enters their camp as retaliation against white oil tycoons trying to force them from their ancestral land. Through a series of increasingly elaborate comedic situations and Keaton's trademark physical comedy, he somehow survives multiple execution attempts while inadvertently helping the Native Americans. The film culminates with Keaton becoming an unlikely hero when he helps the tribe defend their territory against the greedy oil company, all while maintaining his deadpan expression and bumbling yet endearing character throughout the escalating comedic scenarios.

Historical Background

The Paleface was produced in 1922, during the silent film era's golden age and a period of significant social and economic change in America. The early 1920s saw the rise of the automobile, the expansion of oil exploration in the American West, and ongoing tensions between Native American communities and corporate interests. The film's oil company subplot reflected very real contemporary issues, as major oil discoveries were transforming the American landscape and economy. This was also a period when Westerns were extremely popular, with audiences fascinated by the mythologized American frontier. Keaton's film both capitalized on and satirized this genre popularity. The movie was made before the Hays Code would heavily censor film content, allowing for more direct commentary on social issues. Additionally, 1922 was a peak year for silent comedy, with Keaton, Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd all producing some of their most memorable work during this period.

Making Of

The production of 'The Paleface' exemplified Buster Keaton's hands-on approach to filmmaking. As head of his own production company, Keaton was involved in every aspect of the creative process, from developing the initial concept to overseeing final editing. The film was shot quickly, as was typical for short comedies of the era, but Keaton's perfectionism meant that individual sequences could take days to perfect. The stunt work was particularly challenging, with Keaton insisting on performing all his own physical comedy despite the risks. The production team included Keaton's regular collaborators who had developed an almost telepathic understanding of his comedic timing and visual style. The Indian encampment sets were likely constructed on studio backlots, with attention to period detail that exceeded typical comedy short standards. Keaton's innovative use of location shooting, combined with studio work, helped create a more authentic and visually interesting film than many contemporaneous shorts.

Visual Style

The cinematography in The Paleface, while uncredited as was typical for the era, demonstrates sophisticated visual storytelling techniques characteristic of Keaton's best work. The film makes effective use of both location shooting and studio sets to create a believable Western environment. The camera work supports Keaton's physical comedy by maintaining clear sightlines and optimal framing for his elaborate gags. The butterfly chase sequence particularly showcases innovative camera movement and positioning to follow the action while maintaining comedic timing. The film employs depth of field effectively, especially in scenes with multiple characters and props, allowing complex visual gags to play out simultaneously. The cinematography also captures the scale of the Western setting, using wide shots to establish locations before moving to closer framing for intimate comedy moments. The visual style balances the natural beauty of outdoor locations with the controlled environment needed for precise stunt work.

Innovations

The Paleface showcases several technical achievements typical of Keaton's sophisticated approach to filmmaking. The film's stunt sequences represent remarkable physical comedy achievements, with Keaton performing dangerous falls and complex gags that required precise timing and coordination. The production's use of both location shooting and studio sets demonstrates advanced production planning for a short comedy. The film's special effects, while subtle, include clever editing techniques and prop work that create believable comedic situations. The butterfly prop and related mechanical effects were particularly innovative for the time. The film's pacing and editing represent a sophisticated understanding of comedic rhythm, with cuts timed to maximize the impact of physical gags. The production also demonstrates advanced set design and construction, creating believable Western environments on studio backlots. These technical elements combined to create a polished final product that exceeded the typical standards for two-reel comedies of the era.

Music

As a silent film, The Paleface would have been accompanied by live musical performances during its original theatrical run. The typical accompaniment would have been a piano or organ in smaller theaters, with larger venues potentially employing small orchestras. The music would have been selected or improvised to match the mood and action of each scene, with faster, more playful music during chase sequences and more suspenseful music during moments of perceived danger. The score would have included popular songs of the era as well as classical pieces adapted for silent film accompaniment. Modern presentations of the film often feature newly composed scores or carefully selected period-appropriate music that enhances the viewing experience while respecting the film's original silent nature. The absence of dialogue makes the musical accompaniment particularly important in conveying emotion and pacing the comedy.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening butterfly chase sequence where Keaton's character becomes increasingly obsessed with capturing his specimen, leading him into dangerous territory. This scene perfectly establishes Keaton's character as single-minded to the point of absurdity, and features some of the film's most inventive physical comedy as he navigates various obstacles while maintaining focus on his butterfly net. The scene escalates from simple pursuit to increasingly complex gags, setting the tone for the entire film.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised The Paleface for its inventive gags and Keaton's physical comedy prowess. The film was reviewed favorably in trade publications like Variety and The Moving Picture World, which noted its clever premise and Keaton's masterful performance. Modern critics and film historians view The Paleface as an excellent example of Keaton's short-form work, highlighting its sophisticated visual comedy and subtle social commentary. The film is often cited in studies of Keaton's career as representative of his creative peak in the early 1920s. Critics particularly appreciate how the film balances pure comedy with thematic elements, creating a work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The movie's technical aspects, including its use of location shooting and complex stunt sequences, have been praised for their innovation within the constraints of short-form filmmaking.

What Audiences Thought

The Paleface was well-received by contemporary audiences who were enthusiastic fans of Buster Keaton's unique style of comedy. The film's combination of physical gags, relatable underdog character, and Western setting appealed to broad audiences of the early 1920s. Moviegoers particularly appreciated Keaton's ability to create humor out of increasingly absurd situations while maintaining his trademark deadpan expression. The film's success contributed to Keaton's growing popularity and helped establish him as one of the leading comedy stars of the silent era. Modern audiences encountering the film through revivals and home video have continued to respond positively to its timeless humor and visual inventiveness. The movie's accessibility - requiring no knowledge of 1920s culture to appreciate - has helped it remain entertaining to contemporary viewers, though some aspects of its portrayal of Native Americans are viewed differently through a modern lens.

You Might Also Like