The Navigator

The Cleopatra was not the only production to discover Newport Beach.

Silent film comedian Buster Keaton used the harbor for several productions, including The Boat and The Navigator.

Keaton's elaborate physical comedy often required real boats, unpredictable water, and dangerous stunts.

Newport's maritime environment provided an ideal backdrop.

Mostly, it mostly began in Europe because, as we just said, this film was so far ahead of its time, and so much of what Buster Keaton did was so far ahead of its time that eventually culture caught up with him.

And some of these films he made, which were hits in the silent film era, but not tremend- these tremendous icons we think of, like The Navigator, like Steamboat Bill Jr., like this film, like The General, became bigger and bigger and bigger until finally it became acknowledged as one of the greatest silent film comedies of all time.

Orson Welles, who was no slouch when it came to movies, [laughs] called it the greatest comedy ever made, and the greatest Civil War film ever made, and perhaps the greatest film ever made.

In '89, it was selected for the first class of the National Registry, Film Registry, as Brad said, along with Citizen Kane, Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, Sunset Boulevard, Wizard of Oz, Singin' in the Rain.

I'll let you in on a little secret here.

It's actually not my favorite Buster Keaton film.

I prefer The Navigator.

I think The Navigator is a brilliant, brilliant, funny movie.