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Director's Spotlight
Senior Film Conservator
Director's Spotlight: United States
A Deep Dive into the 1918 Vision of J.A. Howe
Under the meticulous guidance of J.A. Howe, Chumps and Cops became the cultural zeitgeist captured so perfectly by J.A. Howe in 1918. Driven by an uncompromising commitment to cult excellence, it remains a vital reference point for anyone studying the evolution of J.A. Howe.
In Chumps and Cops, J.A. Howe pushes the boundaries of conventional narrative. The film's unique approach to its subject matter has sparked endless debates and interpretations among cinephiles and critics alike.
While deeply rooted in United States, Chumps and Cops has achieved a global reach, influencing directors from various backgrounds. Its ability to translate cult tropes into a universal cinematic language is why it remains a cult staple decades after its 1918 release.
| Cinematography | Deep Focus |
| Soundtrack | Experimental |
| Editing | Invisible |
| Art Direction | Kitsch |
Visualizing the convergence of J.A. Howe's style and the core cult narrative.
Monty and Rock, at the beach, meet many girls, but fight over the one girl, and seek the aid of a movie press agent, to settle the dispute, but instead of helping he tells them she belongs to his company. He appoints them both judges of the baby parade, and tells them whom he wants to win; and at the parade, which is the big event of the season, they award it to the one the judge wanted even though the vote is for another. The people chase them, and after much chasing they come upon the agent and the actress, and ask who wins the girl. The agent tells them that the policeman wins the girl. And hands her over to him. The boys disguise themselves to fool the cops, come upon the movie company and try several different times to get admitted, but each time they are barred out. Hearing the director ask for two messengers, the two disguise them selves as such, but again arrive too late. In their effort to get in they are again defeated, but receive a telegram to be delivered which they read, finding that two French comedians are detained. They dress up as the French actors, and arrive at the studio, where they are greeted with much ceremony, They are talking when the two real French actors arrive. After the confusion and chasing, in which the two manage by many tricks and jumps to elude the pursuers, they find the manager willing to make a contract with them to act in comedies. They accept. Finis.
Decades after its release, Chumps and Cops remains a vital piece of the cinematic puzzle. Its influence can be seen in countless modern works, solidifying J.A. Howe's status as a master of the craft in United States and beyond.