Mack Sennett Collection Vol. 1 Season 1 Episode 10 A Thief Catcher

The Mack Sennett Collection Vol. 1 is a historical anthology series featuring short films produced by the prolific filmmaker and producer, Mack Sennett. Each episode highlights a different film from Sennett's extensive library of silent films, which were produced between 1912 and 1929. Season 1 episode 10, entitled "A Thief Catcher," is a slapstick comedy from 1914 that stars Ford Sterling, the popular comedic actor who appeared in many of Sennett's films.

"A Thief Catcher" follows the adventures of two bumbling policemen, played by Sterling and Chester Conklin, as they attempt to catch a thief who has been robbing the city's banks. The film opens with a montage of bank robberies, each one perpetrated by the same well-dressed thief, who always manages to escape in a waiting automobile. The police department is at a loss as to how to catch him, until one day Sterling and Conklin receive a tip that the thief will be robbing a certain bank at a certain time.

The two policemen set up an elaborate trap, using dozens of officers and a horse-drawn wagon full of hay. As they wait for the thief to strike, they bicker and goof off, with Sterling getting repeatedly smacked in the face by Conklin's billy club. When the thief finally appears, disguised in a false beard and a hat, the chase is on. Sterling and Conklin pursue the thief through the streets and alleys of the city, causing chaos and destruction wherever they go.

After a series of hilarious mishaps and close calls, the chase ends at a pier, where the thief jumps onto a departing boat. Sterling and Conklin follow suit, but they end up getting stuck in the boat's propeller and are dragged behind the vessel, hanging onto a rope. The boat eventually drags them onto a deserted island, where they discover that the thief has also been stranded. In a final twist, it is revealed that the thief is actually a woman in disguise, who was stealing money to pay off her father's debts.

"A Thief Catcher" is a prime example of Mack Sennett's trademark style of physical comedy, with lots of slapstick, chases, and pratfalls. Ford Sterling's exaggerated expressions and movements are particularly effective, and his chemistry with Chester Conklin is delightful. The film is also notable for its use of location shooting, with many scenes filmed on the streets and piers of Los Angeles.

Overall, "A Thief Catcher" is an entertaining and lighthearted romp that showcases the talents of Mack Sennett's actors and crew. Its simple plot and fast-paced action make it a perfect example of the short comedic films of the silent era, and a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood history.