The Paleface (1922)
Plot: This two-reel silent comedy short film stars Buster Keaton as an innocent butterfly collector who unwittingly wanders onto a Native American reservation. The tribe is in an uproar because greedy "oil sharks" have stolen their land lease and given them 24 hours to vacate. The angry Chief orders his warriors to kill the first white man they see as a warning. Buster, focused entirely on chasing his butterfly, is captured, tied to a stake, and set to be burned alive. He amusingly escapes the flames by constantly moving the loose stake he's tied to and later survives a second burning attempt by wearing a fireproof asbestos suit he finds. His resourcefulness earns the tribe's respect, and he is initiated as "Little Chief Paleface." Buster then helps the tribe fight the corrupt land barons, leading to a brawl where he outwits the villains, recovers the deed to the land, and saves the day. As his reward, he chooses the beautiful Indian Maiden.
