Officer 666

The Cohan play of OFFICER 666 appears to have been a major success in it's day. Frank Powell, star of Griffith one reelers and director of THE STAIN, had already made a version. One can see the outlines of what must have amused WW1 audiences in the changing direction of the plot, with the art stealing con man and the owner of the collection of paintings switching costumes with the uniformed beat copper and much hiding in a trunk.Like the other surviving JCW film adaptation of a play they were touring, this is quite well paced, alternating quite solid interiors (outside the one where the painted wall is allowed to go on shaking) and local exteriors. However the material which got laughs on stage is not translated into film form leaving some of the action incomprehensible.Little connection with Niblo's rather ponderous Hollywood spectacles. He and Sydney Stirling, as his adversary, play with confidence which contrasts with the Gilbert and Sullivan-esquire officer and the maid who is concentrating on not looking at the camera.The viewing copy is poorly reduced leaving the con man space to vanish into the sound track area space screen left and is missing the opening reels - which doesn't help.This film has minor curiosity value.