The Mystery of the Leaping Fish
(1916) American
B&W : Two reels
Directed by John Emerson

Cast: Douglas Fairbanks [Coke Ennyday], Bessie Love [Inane], Tom Wilson [I.M. Keene], A.D. Sears (Allan Sears) [wealthy man], Alma Reubens [his confederate], Charles Stevens [Japanese accomplice], George Hall [Japanese accomplice], Bennie Zeidman [scenario editor]

Fine Arts Film Company production; distributed by Triangle Film Corporation. / From a story by Tod Browning. / © 1916 by Triangle Film Corporation. Released 11 June 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.37:1 format. / Working title: The Detective. Zeidman, a Fine Arts story editor, appears as himself. Leaping fish patented by J.P. McCarty.

Comedy.

Reviews: [Motion Picture News, 15 July 1916, p. ?] : Laying aside the sort of parts for which he has become famous, Douglas Fairbanks goes in for pure farce here, his role being that of a “nut” detective, whose characteristics are well described by his name — Coke Ennyday. It is near slapstick, without a trace of the heart interest which Fairbanks handles with such distinction, and in fact is a burlesque of Fairbanks’ own style of acting, to a degree, and more emphatically, a burlesque of the know-it-all scientific detective and his methods.

Survival Status: Print exists [35mm positive].

Keywords: Automobiles - Beaches - Drugs: Drug addicts, Cocaine, Opium - Police: Detectives - Water - Waves

Listing updated: 11 November 2007.

References: Film credits, film viewing : Lahue-Kops p. 159; Skal-Browning p. 266.

Home Video: DVD.