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The Capture of the Burglar
(1910) United States of America
B&W : Split-reel / 270 feet
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: (unknown)
Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / © 29 March 1910 by Edison Manufacturing Company [J140166, J140167]. Released 29 March 1910; in a split-reel with Bradford’s Claim (1910). / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Comedy.
Synopsis: [The Film Index, 2 April 1910, page 16] Two young girls, sisters, and their little brother are left alone in the house one evening, their father, mother and older brother having gone to the theatre. They are startled by a loud noise. Jumping to their feet, they wonder what caused the racket. Advancing in the direction from which the noise came, they are again startled by a repetition of it. They conclude that there is a burglar in the house and start to get help. They reach the front steps, send their little brother in one direction and themselves start in the opposite. Young Mr. Jones, a student friend of the family, volunteers to investigate. As they are entering the house a tremendous thump startles the girls, likewise Mr. Jones, but his chivalry is at stake and he enters bravely with the girls. The little brother is successful in inducing a passing German baker, a man of large proportions but timid nature, to come to the house with him. After the others are inside the boy and the German come toward the front door, which they find is locked. They hear noises in the front room and, stealing quietly down the steps again, enter the house by a side window in the small reception room adjoining the parlor. In entering the room the German stumbles and knocks over a heavy book, causing a loud noise, which startles the young folks who are by this time in the parlor. In turn, one of them knocks over a chair, which accident startles the German and the boy. Each party advances unconsciously on the other. As the German rushes in through the door of the parlor he is confronted by Jones and the two girls armed with fire shovels, tongs and poker. There is a mutual explanation, in the midst of which another crash is heard in a different part of the house. An advance on the enemy. They arrive finally at the conservatory to find the floor littered with potted plants. Just as they discover this condition of affairs more plants fall, startling them. All look up to what has caused the problem. The cause, as the close of the picture explains to them as well as to the audience, is a large tabby which, in crawling along a narrow shelf in the conservatory, has been knocking one potted plant after another from its place. The action of the picture is of a quick, snappy bright comedy order and produces healthy laughter—nature’s best tonic.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 9 April 1910, page 554]A bit of comedy, the fun in which is based upon some absurd situations and combinations. There is a snap and dash to the acting which makes the picture realistic and contributes to the picture’s success.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 15 April 2024.
References: Website-AFI; Website-IMDb.
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