The original idea for the film came from Charlie Chaplin collaborator , Charles Reisner , who was the director . Keaton , who had directed or co-directed many of his earlier films , was an uncredited co-director on this project . In June 1927 , Keaton traveled to Sacramento , California , and spent over $ 100,000 building sets , including a pier . Original plans called for an ending with a flood sequence , but due to the devastating 1927 Mississippi River Flood , producer Joseph Schenck forced Keaton to cut the sequence . Keaton also spent an additional $ 25,000 for the cyclone scene , which included breakaway street sets and six powerful Liberty-motor wind machines . The cyclone scene cost one-third of the film 's entire budget , estimated at between $ 300,000 and $ 404,282 . Keaton himself , who calculated and performed his own stunts , was suspended on a cable from the crane which hurled him from place to place as if airborne
1927 Mississippi River Flood
Great Mississippi Flood of 1927
Steamboat Bill, Jr.