A Thief Catcher (1914) | The Lost Keystone Chase
Watch A Thief Catcher (1914) - Restored and Colorized
"A Thief Catcher (1914)" is a quintessential Keystone chase comedy, starring "Ford Sterling" as "Suspicious John" and featuring the famous "Keystone Cops". This film is less known for Chaplin's Tramp persona and more for a brief, yet historically significant, cameo.
Synopsis: The Cops and the Crook
The plot is a simple, high-energy chase typical of the early Keystone era. The film centers around the pursuit of a thief, presumably by the bumbling but persistent "Keystone Cops". Directed by lead comedian "Ford Sterling", the action is packed with the signature cinematic chaos, fast cuts, and physical comedy the studio was famous for, often ending in a humorous pile-up.
Context: The Rediscovered Chaplin Cameo
For decades, this short was considered a "lost film." However, in 2010, film historian Paul E. Gierucki discovered a 16mm print which confirmed one major piece of movie lore: the film contains "Charles Chaplin" in a small, uncredited role as one of the Keystone Kops. This makes the film a crucial document in early cinema history, showcasing Chaplin working in a bit part under Sterling's direction early in his career at Keystone before he took complete creative control of his own shorts.
Film Details and Restoration
- Director:
- Ford Sterling
- Starring:
- Ford Sterling, Keystone Kops, Charles Chaplin (uncredited)
- Production Company:
- Keystone Film Company
- Release Date:
- February 19, 1914 (United States)
- Runtime:
- 8 minutes (approx. 480 seconds)
- Color/Sound:
- Black and White / Silent (Restored & Colorized Version)
- License:
- PUBLIC DOMAIN MARK / “No Known Copyright”
This version of the film has been enhanced using digital techniques like DeOldify and ESRGAN to improve the visual quality and bring a fresh, colorized look to this public domain classic.
See if you can spot the future film legend among the Kops!
📧 "Copyright Disclaimer:" This film is believed to be in the "public domain" and has been restored for historical and educational purposes. If you have any concerns regarding the copyright status, please contact the restorer directly at "inestorate@gmail.com". We are committed to respecting copyrights and promptly addressing any claims.