A Thief Catcher is a one-reel 1914 American comedy film, produced by Mack Sennett for his Keystone film company, directed by Ford Sterling,[1] and starring Sterling, Mack Swain, Edgar Kennedy, and Charles Chaplin[2][3] as a Keystone Cop.
| A Thief Catcher | |
|---|---|
full film | |
| Directed by | Ford Sterling |
| Produced by | Mack Sennett |
| Starring | Ford Sterling Mack Swain Edgar Kennedy Charles Chaplin |
| Distributed by | Keystone Studios |
Release date |
|
Running time | 1 reel c. 7 min, 35 sec |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent film English (Original titles) |
Plot
editThree armed burglars stop atop an embankment to divide the loot from a recent crime. When one of the men complains about how the shares are split, a fight erupts. The complainer is eventually pushed over the embankment by the other two thieves. By chance, a police chief (Ford Sterling) who was out with his dog and his camera, takes a photo of the burglars. They spot him and pursue him. Eventually the police chief flees unknowingly to a barn which the burglars have been using as their hideout. The police chief appears to be cornered in the barn but he dispatches a note with his dog who takes it to police headquarters. The bumbling police force arrives and eventually captures the burglars, but not without considerable difficulty.
Cast
edit- Ford Sterling: Chief
- Charles Chaplin: Policeman (uncredited)
- William Hauber: Policeman (uncredited)
- George Jeske: Policeman (uncredited)
- Edgar Kennedy: Crook (uncredited)
- Rube Miller: Policeman (uncredited)
- Mack Swain: Crook (uncredited)
Preservation status
editThe film was believed lost, and Chaplin's appearance was unknown, until a vintage 16mm print was discovered by director/film historian Paul E. Gierucki in 2010 at a Michigan antique sale.[4][5] Chaplin had stated in interviews that he had played a bit-role as a policeman while at Keystone Studios.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Allen, Nick (July 16, 2010). "Long lost Charlie Chaplin film found at antiques fair". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Larotonda, Matthew (July 18, 2010). "Lost Charlie Chaplin Silent Film Re-Debuts 96 Years Later at Virginia Movie Festival". ABC News.
- ^ Zongker, Brett (July 15, 2010). "Long-Lost Chaplin Film to Debut at Va. Festival". The Associated Press.
- ^ Brunsting, Joshua (June 8, 2010). "Charlie Chaplin Film Found At An Antique Sale, Once Thought Lost". The Criterion Cast. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: A Thief Catcher". Silent Era. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
- ^ "Cinecon 46: Lost Chaplin Film". cinecon.org. Archived from the original on 1 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
External links
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