SHERLOCK JR.

A young projectionist (Buster Keaton) in a big city cinema dreams of becoming a detective. With a measly dollar in his pocket, he buys a modest ring from the girl he loves. As the two sit on a couch and timidly try to touch hands, Ward, the second suitor, enters the scene, an immoral scoundrel. He has stolen the girl’s father’s watch so that he can take it to the pawn shop and buy his beloved a dress. When the man realises the theft, Ward makes sure that the blame falls on the projectionist. The projectionist is chased out of the house but does not lose heart and hunts Ward down, to no avail. The projectionist then decides to return to his real profession and abandon his unfortunate career as a detective. He falls asleep in the projection room, dreams of entering the screen and having the film shown, making him the protagonist conquering the love of his beautiful wife, who is also part of this immaginary film. In the meantime, however, in the real world, the girl discovers Ward’s misdeed and runs to the apprentice detective to apologise…

Sherlock Jr. is considered one of Buster Keaton’s greatest masterpieces. The film has influenced artists such as Jerry Kewis and Woody Allen and is said to have convinced Buñuel to become a director.