The Paleface (1922)

“The Paleface” is a 1922 American silent comedy Western short film featuring Buster Keaton. In this film, Buster helps a Native American tribe protect their land from greedy oil barons. The oil barons have given the tribe one day to vacate their land. The Indian chief instructs his braves to kill the first white man they see. Buster, who shows up while chasing a butterfly, ends up being captured. He amusingly keeps moving the stake he’s tied to, where he is supposed to be burned. Eventually, Buster becomes a member of the tribe and aids them in their struggle against the oil barons.

When Keaton accidentally knocks out one of the Native Americans, he hides under a blanket with a swastika design. The swastika, one of the oldest human symbols, dates back about 6,000 years to rock and cave paintings.

Scholars agree it originated in India, with the Sanskrit term ‘swastika’ meaning well-being (from ‘su’ meaning good, and ‘asti’ meaning to be). The swastika was also a widely used symbol among Native American tribes, especially the Navajo. For different tribes, the swastika had various meanings: to the Hopi, it represented the wandering Hopi clans, while to the Navajo, it symbolised a whirling log, a sacred image used in healing rituals.

There are a few amusing goofs in this film, including:

• On a handwritten note, the land shark’s name is “J.C. Hunt,” but on the office door, it reads “D.J. Hunt.”

• In the exterior shot of the cabin, smoke can be seen coming from the chimney, but in the interior shot, there’s no fireplace. (Scene time at: 10:50 – 11:10)

Watch the full length film by hitting the play button below.

The Paleface (1922) Cast

• Buster Keaton: Little Chief Paleface
• Virginia Fox: Indian Maiden (uncredited)
• Joe Roberts: Indian Chief (uncredited)

The Paleface (1922) Storyline

In the short film “The Paleface,” Buster Keaton stars as a man who unwittingly gets involved in a conflict between a Native American tribe and some greedy oil barons. The oil barons want the tribe’s land because it has valuable oil, and they give the tribe one day to leave.

The Indian chief, desperate to save their land, tells his warriors to kill the first white man they see as a warning. Meanwhile, Buster, unaware of any danger, is chasing a butterfly and wanders into the tribe’s territory. The warriors capture him and bring him to the chief, where they tie him to a stake to be burned.

In typical Keaton style, Buster avoids getting burned by constantly moving the stake he’s tied to. Through his antics, he gains the tribe’s trust and becomes one of them. Now part of the tribe, Buster helps them come up with clever ways to stop the oil barons.

In the end, Buster’s funny and brave actions help the Native American tribe protect their land from the greedy oil barons, and he gets the girl!