This is an amusing scattergun burlesque of Tod Browning's crime dramas, such as WHITE TIGER. It comes off well enough but may be a bit obscure to people who have not seen such works. Charley takes the place of Raymond Griffith in top hat and tails; Katherine Grant takes the Priscilla Dean role and Bull Montana even manages to look a bit like Lon Chaney in this kid-glove crime drama without the brooding.
The result is amusing, but Charley Chase, who is probably the funniest silent comic you've never heard of lacks the delicate touch of Griffith's performance and the other two leads also can't compare to their equivalents. Director McCarey is interested in gags, not atmosphere. Still, the gags are highly amusing, especially the ones involving the top hat and a balloon. You could do a lot worse.
The result is amusing, but Charley Chase, who is probably the funniest silent comic you've never heard of lacks the delicate touch of Griffith's performance and the other two leads also can't compare to their equivalents. Director McCarey is interested in gags, not atmosphere. Still, the gags are highly amusing, especially the ones involving the top hat and a balloon. You could do a lot worse.