''A Thief Catcher'' is a one-reel 1914 American

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

, produced by

Mack Sennett Mack Sennett (born Michael Sinnott; January 17, 1880 – November 5, 1960) was a Canadian-American film actor, director, and producer, and studio head, known as the 'King of Comedy'. Born in Danville, Quebec, in 1880, he started in films in the ...

for his

Keystone film company Keystone Studios was an early film studio founded in Edendale, California (which is now a part of Echo Park) on July 4, 1912 as the Keystone Pictures Studio by Mack Sennett with backing from actor-writer Adam Kessel (1866–1946) and Charles ...

, directed by

Ford Sterling Ford Sterling (born George Ford Stich Jr.; November 3, 1883 – October 13, 1939) was an American comedian and actor best known for his work with Keystone Studios. One of the 'Big 4', he was the original chief of the Keystone Cops. Biography ...

, and starring Sterling,

Mack Swain Mack Swain (born Moroni Swain; February 16, 1876 – August 25, 1935) was an early American film actor, who appeared in many of Mack Sennett’s comedies at Keystone Studios, including the Keystone Cops series. He also appeared in major fea ...

Edgar Kennedy Edgar Livingston Kennedy (April 26, 1890 – November 9, 1948) was an American comedic character actor who appeared in at least 500 films during the silent and sound eras. Professionally, he was known as "Slow Burn", owing to his ability to por ...

, and

Charles Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is consid ...

as a policeman.

Cast

: Chief *

: Policeman (uncredited) * William Hauber: Policeman (uncredited) *

George Jeske George Washington Jeske (February 22, 1891 – October 28, 1951) was an American screenwriter, director, and actor. Career Jeske was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1891. He was one of the original Keystone Kops for Mack Sennett. He wrote f ...

: Policeman (uncredited) *

: Crook (uncredited) * Rube Miller:Policeman (uncredited) *

: Crook (uncredited)

Synopsis

Three 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. A Thief Catcher

Charlie Chaplin briefly appears as one of the policemen about two-thirds of the way through the film.

Preservation status

The film was believed lost and Chaplin's appearance unknown until a vintage 16mm print was discovered by director / film historian Paul E. Gierucki in 2010 at a Michigan antique sale. Chaplin had, however, claimed in interviews that he had played a bit-role as a policeman while at Keystone Studios.

References

External links

* 1910s rediscovered films 1914 comedy films 1914 films 1914 short films American black-and-white films American silent short films American comedy short films Films directed by Ford Sterling Films produced by Mack Sennett Keystone Studios films 1910s police comedy films Rediscovered American films 1910s American films Silent American comedy films {{1910s-short-comedy-film-stub

Cast

Synopsis

Preservation status

See also

References

External links