Movie spotlight
Too Much Burglar
An exceptionally capable girl, Trixie Joyce, proves a great help, to her mother, a widow with a large family of girls. They receive a proposition from Henrietta Joyce, Mrs. Joyce's wealthy sister-in-law, to take Trixie as a companion, feed and clothe her and in place of wages, send her mother an allowance sufficient to support the rest of the family. Both realize it is the solution of a hard problem, and Trixie accepts the offer. Henrietta is close-fisted and selfish in money matters, but she also has a strain of morbidly-romantic sentiment in her nature, so the largest part of Trixie's work is reading aloud to her mistress quantities of swashbuckling, mid-Victorian novels.
Insights
Plot Summary
A hapless burglar attempts to rob a wealthy household, but his efforts are constantly thwarted by a series of comical mishaps and the unpredictable actions of the residents. The film follows his increasingly desperate and absurd attempts to steal valuables, only to find himself in one ridiculous predicament after another.
Critical Reception
As a silent short comedy from the Keystone Studios era, 'Too Much Burglar' was a typical product of its time, designed for quick laughs and light entertainment. Contemporary reviews, if they exist, would likely have focused on the slapstick humor and the performance of its comedic actors. It's generally viewed as an early example of the fast-paced, gag-driven comedy that Sennett popularized.
What Reviewers Say
Relied heavily on physical comedy and slapstick.
Showcased the emerging talents of early screen comedians.
A brief, lighthearted diversion typical of early cinema.
Google audience: Information on specific audience reception for this short film is not readily available.
Fun Fact
Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios was known for its 'bath-time girls' and fast-paced, often chaotic, comedies, with actors frequently performing their own dangerous stunts.
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