- Steamboat Bill, Jr. is the story of a naive, college-educated dandy who must prove himself to his working-class father, a hot-headed riverboat captain, while courting the daughter of his father's rival, who threatens to put Steamboat Bill, Sr. and his paddle-wheeler out of business. Director: Charles Reisner, Buster Keaton Producer: Joseph M. Schenck Production Company: United Artists Audio/Visual: silent with musical score, black & white Keywords: Silent; Comedy; Buster Keaton