Summary
In an audacious challenge to the theatrical conventions of her era, Charlotte Browning, daughter to the affluent Erastus, finds herself utterly disillusioned by the stage's sanitized portrayals of criminality. Her playwright's sensibility rebels against the ersatz villains, propelling her into a daring social experiment. Aided by the enigmatic Bidwell Wright, a figure whose true intentions remain veiled, Charlotte orchestrates an extraordinary gathering: an exclusive soirée for the underworld's most notorious figures. These invited 'guests,' deluded by the prospect of forming an international syndicate of thieves under the unlikely tutelage of Charlotte and her millionaire father, descend upon the Browning estate. What begins as an academic exercise in character observation swiftly devolves into a cacophony of authentic criminal enterprise. The genteel garden party is transformed into a veritable free-for-all, with Benny the Chipmunk’s nimble fingers relieving every gentleman of his valuables, and the captivating Boston Fanny not only pilfering Erastus’s material wealth but also, quite literally, his affections. As the assembled rogues escalate their antics, extending their depredations to the surrounding neighborhood and becoming increasingly unruly, the meticulously planned study unravels. It is then that Bidwell Wright, the supposed criminal confidante, sheds his facade to reveal himself as a distinguished criminologist, deftly managing the chaotic expulsion of the guests and, in a final ironic twist, offering his genuine expertise to Charlotte, enabling her to complete a play now grounded in the vibrant, anarchic truth of her ill-fated research.
Synopsis
After millionaire Erastus Browning and his daughter Charlotte, a playwright, attend a crime play, Charlotte complains that the crook characters are not true to life. To prove her point, aided by supposed criminal Bidwell Wright, Charlotte invites a number of notorious criminals to her home for a party. The crooks all believe they have been invited to form an international family of thieves, headed by Charlotte and her father. Charlotte's character studies are continually interrupted by criminal activities. At the garden party, Benny the Chipmunk picks the pockets of every male present, then Charlotte's father is vamped by Boston Fanny, who steals his cash and jewelry, as well as his heart. The crooks ransack the neighborhood and become obstreperous. Bidwell Wright manages to get the criminals to leave, reveals himself to be a noted criminologist and agrees to help Charlotte complete her play.
Review Excerpt
"
When Art Imitates Anarchy: Unpacking the Genius of 'Too Many Crooks'
In the annals of silent cinema, where grand gestures and exaggerated expressions often spoke louder than any dialogue, certain films stand out for their audacious premises and surprisingly astute social commentary. One such forgotten gem is the 1919 comedy, Too Many Crooks. Far from a mere slapstick romp, this picture, penned by Edith Rathbone Brainerd and J. Chauncey Brainerd and directed by Edward J. Montague, offer..."
