The Paleface (1922) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A threatened land claim brings an oil company's eviction effort into conflict with a tribe and Little Chief Paleface's pledge of solidarity.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Peace Shattered by Oil Claims

The tribal community's peaceful situation is disrupted when oil speculators target its land. A cheap lease and an eviction order turn the land dispute into an immediate threat.

Key Events

• Peaceful Tribal Land — The Indian community is described as living in simple peace. Location: The West
• Oil Speculators Target the Land — Oil speculators set their sights on the community's land. Location: The West
• Western Oil Leasing Office — A company representative boasts about obtaining a lease for one dollar. Location: Western Oil Land Leasing office
• Lease Obtained for a Dollar — A man says he persuaded a representative to sell a lease for one dollar. Location: Western Oil Land Leasing office
• Twenty-Four-Hour Eviction — The company gives the tribe twenty-four hours to leave. Location: The tribal land

Threats at the Tribal Gate

The Chief hears that a messenger has been killed and orders the first white man through the gate killed. The land dispute escalates into a dangerous confrontation.

Key Events

• Twenty-Four-Hour Eviction — The company gives the tribe twenty-four hours to leave. Location: The tribal land
• Order to Leave the Land — A notice orders the community off the land at once. Location: The tribal land
• Messenger Reported Killed — The Chief hears that a white man killed a messenger. Characters: The Indian Chief Location: The tribal encampment
• Lethal Gate Order — The Chief orders that the first white man through the gate be killed. Characters: The Indian Chief Location: The tribal gate

Paleface Takes a Stand

Little Chief Paleface is initiated into the Redmen and recognized as a member in good standing. When he learns of the eviction, he calls for solidarity and warns the opposing side.

Key Events

• Lethal Gate Order — The Chief orders that the first white man through the gate be killed. Characters: The Indian Chief Location: The tribal gate
• Paleface Joins the Tribe — Little Chief Paleface becomes involved with the tribe and is initiated into the Redmen. Characters: Little Chief Paleface Location: The tribal encampment
• Membership Recognized — He is declared a member in good standing. Characters: Little Chief Paleface Location: The tribal encampment
• Solidarity Pledge — On hearing the tribe must leave, he says they must stick together. Characters: Little Chief Paleface Location: The tribal encampment
• Warning to the Opposing Side — He warns of consequences if the tribe does not receive what is due. Characters: Little Chief Paleface Location: The tribal encampment

A Deed Closes the Account

Comic dialogue about a rival tribe accompanies Paleface's announcement. The supplied account then presents a grant deed between John Smith and the Crow feet Tribe, with a title card placing the closing events two years later.

Key Events

• Comic Rival-Tribe Remark — Dialogue says a rival tribe went broke playing strip poker. Location: Unspecified
• Paleface Announces Himself — He announces himself amid calls to stop and recognize him. Characters: Little Chief Paleface Location: Unspecified
• Grant Deed — A deed records an agreement between John Smith and the Crow feet Tribe. Location: Unspecified
• Closing Events Two Years Later — A title card places the closing events two years later; the supplied account ends with the deed. Location: Unspecified

Story Breakdown

• Tribal Peace — The community's calm is disrupted by outside interest in its land.
  • Western Setting — The Indian community is described as living in simple peace in the West.
  • Oil Interest — Oil speculators set their sights on the community's land.
• Lease Scheme — A leasing office account introduces the company's claim.
  • One Dollar Lease — A man boasts that he persuaded a representative to sell a lease for a dollar.
  • Company Claim — The lease frames the land dispute that drives the eviction effort.
• Eviction Threat — The company demands that the tribe leave its land.
  • Twenty Four Hours — The company gives the tribe twenty-four hours to leave.
  • Notice to Leave — A notice orders the community off the land at once.
• Chief's Gate Order — News of a killed messenger turns the land dispute toward violence.
  • Messenger Report — The Chief hears that a white man killed a messenger.
  • Lethal Warning — The Chief orders the first white man through the gate killed.
• Paleface Joins — Little Chief Paleface becomes part of the tribe.
  • Redmen Initiation — He is initiated into the Redmen.
  • Membership Granted — He is described as a member in good standing.
• Pledge of Solidarity — Paleface responds to the eviction by urging unity and warning the opposing side.
  • Stick Together — He says the tribe must stick together after hearing they must leave.
  • Consequences Warned — He warns that the opposing side will face consequences if the tribe does not get what is due.
• Land Deed Ending — The account concludes with a formal document concerning the tribe's land.
  • Grant Deed — The deed records an agreement between John Smith and the Crow feet Tribe.
  • Two Years Later — A title card places the closing events two years later, without detailing the intervening events.

Directed by

Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline

Key Cast

• Buster Keaton — Little Chief Paleface
• Virginia Fox — Indian Maiden
• Joe Roberts — The Indian Chief