Stop Thief! (1915)
Comedy | 15 February 1915
Cast:
Mary Ryan, Harry Mestayer, Harold Howard [ More ]Director:
George FitzmauriceProducer:
George KleineProduction Company:
George KleineChicago-bsed film importer George Kleine announced that he would begin making his own films "adapted from well-known legitimate productions only," the 8 August 1914 Moving Picture World announced. Four months later, the 5 December 1914 Motography reported that filming for Stop Thief! had already begun at the new George Kleine studio at 11 East Fourteenth Street, In New York City. A month later, the 2 January 1915 Motion Picture News noted that filming was completed.
Several of its stars, Mary Ryan, Harry Mestayer, Harold Howard, Albert Tavernier, and William Boyd, were veterans of the successful Broadway stage production, according to reviewer James S. McQuade in the 20 February 1915 Moving Picture World. McQuade also praised the film's primary set: "For an interior setting, wholly built up and furnished in the studio, I think the library in the Carr home....is so thoroughly homelike and natural." Earlier, the 19 December 1914 Motography had detailed that the library, where most of the action took place, contained 2,000 real books "instead of the usual 'prop' backs," as well as "a fine Italian renaissance mantel in carved walnut valued at $800. Beautiful Flemish tapestries for door hangings and many oil paintings add a touch of realism to the various scenes."
Stop Thief! was Harry Mestayer's first film. He told the 30 January 1915 Moving Picture World that since he was working with the Broadway cast, shooting "seemed like one long, constant rehearsal without the audience and the music." In one saloon scene, in which his character drank a beer, Mestayer "was compelled to toss that beer off ...
Chicago-bsed film importer George Kleine announced that he would begin making his own films "adapted from well-known legitimate productions only," the 8 August 1914 Moving Picture World announced. Four months later, the 5 December 1914 Motography reported that filming for Stop Thief! had already begun at the new George Kleine studio at 11 East Fourteenth Street, In New York City. A month later, the 2 January 1915 Motion Picture News noted that filming was completed.
Several of its stars, Mary Ryan, Harry Mestayer, Harold Howard, Albert Tavernier, and William Boyd, were veterans of the successful Broadway stage production, according to reviewer James S. McQuade in the 20 February 1915 Moving Picture World. McQuade also praised the film's primary set: "For an interior setting, wholly built up and furnished in the studio, I think the library in the Carr home....is so thoroughly homelike and natural." Earlier, the 19 December 1914 Motography had detailed that the library, where most of the action took place, contained 2,000 real books "instead of the usual 'prop' backs," as well as "a fine Italian renaissance mantel in carved walnut valued at $800. Beautiful Flemish tapestries for door hangings and many oil paintings add a touch of realism to the various scenes."
Stop Thief! was Harry Mestayer's first film. He told the 30 January 1915 Moving Picture World that since he was working with the Broadway cast, shooting "seemed like one long, constant rehearsal without the audience and the music." In one saloon scene, in which his character drank a beer, Mestayer "was compelled to toss that beer off in a single swallow" during at least eight takes.
The film was given three special performances at the new Candler Theater in New York City on Sunday, 7 February 1915, according to the 6 February 1915 Moving Picture World and 12 February 1915 Variety. The Candler opened the film to the general public on the following day.
The National Film Preservation Board (NFPB) included this film on its list of Lost U.S. Silent Feature Films as of October 2019.
When professional thief Jack Doogan persuades his fiancée, Nell Jones, to help him in one more job before they marry, she obtains a position as a lady's maid in the household of Mr. Carr, a millionaire whose two daughters, Joan and Madge, are about to marry. After a ruby ring disappears into Nell's shoe, the police are telephoned. Nell slips the ring into the pocket of Madge's fiancé, Mr. Cluney, and when he is caught, Dr. Willoughby, Joan's fiancé, diagnoses him as a kleptomaniac. Jack identifies himself as Cluney, sends the police detective away, and assumes his identity, then steals wedding presents, stock certificates, money, and virtually everything of value. Some are then planted on Cluney and others on Mr. Carr, himself a kleptomaniac. After the detective returns, Jack steals his revolver and that of Dr. Willoughby, who tries to prevent his getaway, but Nell convinces Jack to stop. The thieving couple are forgiven, primarily because of the fear of scandal, and they all celebrate a triple ...
When professional thief Jack Doogan persuades his fiancée, Nell Jones, to help him in one more job before they marry, she obtains a position as a lady's maid in the household of Mr. Carr, a millionaire whose two daughters, Joan and Madge, are about to marry. After a ruby ring disappears into Nell's shoe, the police are telephoned. Nell slips the ring into the pocket of Madge's fiancé, Mr. Cluney, and when he is caught, Dr. Willoughby, Joan's fiancé, diagnoses him as a kleptomaniac. Jack identifies himself as Cluney, sends the police detective away, and assumes his identity, then steals wedding presents, stock certificates, money, and virtually everything of value. Some are then planted on Cluney and others on Mr. Carr, himself a kleptomaniac. After the detective returns, Jack steals his revolver and that of Dr. Willoughby, who tries to prevent his getaway, but Nell convinces Jack to stop. The thieving couple are forgiven, primarily because of the fear of scandal, and they all celebrate a triple wedding.
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