The Decoy

In this short silent film, a young woman is desperate to escape her past and find a new life. She hatches a plan to create a decoy identity to distract those who might be looking for her. Her scheme involves a series of mistaken identities and close calls as she attempts to outwit her pursuers and forge a path to freedom.

As a silent short from 1914, specific critical reviews are scarce and difficult to access. Films of this era were often reviewed in local newspapers or trade publications, with comprehensive archival records not always preserved. However, films from director William Desmond Taylor were generally well-received for their dramatic storytelling and competent direction, suggesting 'The Decoy' likely followed suit.

• Likely praised for its use of suspense and dramatic tension common in early thrillers.

• Appreciated for its efficient storytelling within the limitations of a short film format.

• The direction was probably seen as competent, guiding the narrative effectively.

Google audience: No specific audience reviews are available for this early silent film. However, the genre and era suggest that audiences would have been drawn to its melodramatic plot and themes of escape and deception.

William Desmond Taylor, the director of 'The Decoy,' had a mysterious and tragic death in 1922, becoming a subject of enduring Hollywood scandal and speculation, which often overshadows his earlier directorial work.