The Mystery of the Leaping Fish (1916) presents Douglas Fairbanks in a character role as a dope-drilled detective. Despite this two-reeler's reputation as a cult classic, I found its humor laborious rather than witty, its direction ponderous and its players wasted.
Fortunately, the main feature on this Grapevine disc is the superbly entertaining "When the Clouds Roll By" (1919) directed with pace and style by former ace cameraman, Victor Fleming (this seems to be his first credited film as a director - at least in studio publicity), and very charismatically acted by zesty Fairbanks, heroine Kathleen Clifford, shifty Frank Campeau and villainous Herbert Grimwood.
The story is highly original. Despite its clever interweaving of comedy, drama and weird special effects, it has never been re-made (or even hinted at).
In fact, this movie is a real treat and it's available with "The Mystery of the Leaping Fish" on an 8/10 Grapevine DVD!
Fortunately, the main feature on this Grapevine disc is the superbly entertaining "When the Clouds Roll By" (1919) directed with pace and style by former ace cameraman, Victor Fleming (this seems to be his first credited film as a director - at least in studio publicity), and very charismatically acted by zesty Fairbanks, heroine Kathleen Clifford, shifty Frank Campeau and villainous Herbert Grimwood.
The story is highly original. Despite its clever interweaving of comedy, drama and weird special effects, it has never been re-made (or even hinted at).
In fact, this movie is a real treat and it's available with "The Mystery of the Leaping Fish" on an 8/10 Grapevine DVD!