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The Polite Burglar

1929 , London (Other)

Cat no. 4086

A comedy film full of continuity editing, script and direction errors.

This film was specifically produced for a meeting of the London Amateur Cinematographers’ Association on 27 March 1929. The film was the basis of a competition for the club members. The club’s members in this case were invited to record the mistakes incorporated into the film. The report in Amateur Films notes that the competition was won by Mrs Nora Pfeil, who recorded approximately 30 mistakes. A man entertains a married woman in her own home. He has previously stolen money from her husband’s wallet and hides the money in a book. The woman in turn removes the money from the book and keeps it for herself. The husband discovers their dalliance and orders the man to go. The man returns and accuses the couple of stealing his money. A burglar interrupts the proceedings. The burglar searches the pockets of the husband and removes (what looks like) another woman’s handkerchief. The burglar then searches the pockets of the man and the wife, discovering the money. The burglar offers the money to the husband in order to recompense him for embarrassing him in front of his wife and proceeds to steal other items from the room, leaving his revolver on the floor. The burglar says farewell. The husband and the man square up to each other.

Keywords

Comedy; Cine-club film-making; Cine-club activities; London Amateur Cinematographers Association

Intertitles

Different men ------ ----- different ways “Skid” Benson used a piano and a Dark Brown Voice --- lifted her soul to Ethereal delights ---- ----- having previously “lifted” the contents of her husband’s wallet Can this be LOVE?? “Hello! ---- ---- We weren’t expecting you so soon “Have you found something which doesn’t belong to you?” “Ha! Ha! ---- you dog!” GEORGE “I fear I’ve been indiscreet, --- Take this money to square it with the wife.”

  • Maker : Sadie Andrews

  • Camera : T. Low

  • Other : I. Low (art director)

  • Other : M.H. Biggs (titles)

  • Script : Sadie Andrews (scenario)

  • Producer : Sadie Andrews

  • Director : Sadie Andrews

  • Distributor : Institute of Amateur Cinematographers

  • The Wife Fanny Larkin [aka Fancy Larkin]

  • The Husband R.L. Philp

  • The Lover Ben Carleton

  • The Burglar M.H. Biggs

Manifestations

The Polite Burglar

  • Award:
    • Group 1:
      • Note: Awards (data migration 25/06/2021): An ACA competition film [1975 listing]

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