The Exquisite Thief

Plot

Blue Jean Billie, portrayed by Priscilla Dean, is a sophisticated young woman who operates outside the typical criminal underworld, having successfully executed numerous high-society robberies with her accomplice Shaver Michael. During an exclusive Vanderhoof dinner party where the engagement of their daughter to Lord Chesterton is to be announced, Billie infiltrates the event, subdues Detective Wood, and proceeds to rob all the wealthy guests. After escaping in her automobile, only Lord Chesterton manages to track her down, leading to a series of encounters where she repeatedly captures him but gradually develops feelings of trust and love. The film culminates in a complex resolution involving Detective Wood and Shaver Michael, ultimately resulting in a happy ending for all characters despite their criminal activities.

Historical Background

The Exquisite Thief was produced during a transformative period in American cinema, occurring just after World War I when the film industry was consolidating its position as the dominant form of popular entertainment. 1919 was a pivotal year that saw the establishment of the 'Big Five' studios (including Universal) and the beginning of Hollywood's Golden Age. The film reflected post-war American society's fascination with wealth, class mobility, and the emergence of the 'New Woman' - independent female characters who challenged traditional gender roles. The year also saw significant labor unrest in the film industry, including attempts to unionize, which may have influenced the film's themes of characters operating outside established social structures. Additionally, this was the year of the first major Hollywood scandal (the Fatty Arbuckle case would follow in 1921), beginning the public's complex relationship with film celebrities and their off-screen lives.

Making Of

The production of 'The Exquisite Thief' took place during a particularly creative period in Tod Browning's career, as he was developing his signature style of blending crime, romance, and psychological drama. Browning, who had worked in circuses and vaudeville before entering films, brought a unique understanding of outsider characters to his work. The collaboration with Priscilla Dean was especially fruitful, as she possessed the screen presence and versatility to portray complex characters who could be both criminal and sympathetic. Universal's production system during this era was highly efficient, with films typically being shot in 2-3 weeks and released shortly after completion. The studio's backlot provided the ideal setting for the high-society scenes, while location shooting around Los Angeles provided the necessary urban backdrops for the chase sequences.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'The Exquisite Thief' was handled by Universal's regular cameramen, though specific credits are lost to history. The film likely employed the sophisticated lighting techniques that Universal was developing during this period, particularly for the high-society dinner scenes which required elegant illumination of the actors and sets. The automobile chase sequences would have utilized mobile camera units, representing the advancing technology of location filming in 1919. The visual style probably reflected the contrast between the opulent world of high society and the more gritty reality of the criminal underworld, using lighting and composition to emphasize these differences. As with many Universal productions of this era, the cinematography would have been efficient yet effective, serving the story without unnecessary flourishes while maintaining a high level of technical competence.

Innovations

While specific technical details are lost due to the film's missing status, 'The Exquisite Thief' likely incorporated several technical innovations common to Universal productions of 1919. The film probably made use of the studio's advanced lighting equipment for the sophisticated interior scenes, and may have employed some of the early techniques for filming automobile chases that were being developed during this period. The production would have utilized Universal's state-of-the-art camera equipment and processing facilities, ensuring high image quality for the time. The film's editing likely reflected the increasingly sophisticated techniques being developed in Hollywood, with smooth transitions between scenes and effective pacing during action sequences. As part of Universal's commitment to quality production values, the film would have represented the technical standards of major studio filmmaking during the transitional period of the late 1910s.

Music

As a silent film, 'The Exquisite Thief' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical run. Universal typically provided cue sheets with suggestions for appropriate music to accompany their films, compiled from classical pieces and popular songs of the era. The score likely included romantic themes for the developing relationship between Billie and Lord Chesterton, suspenseful music for the robbery and chase sequences, and sophisticated waltzes or popular songs for the high-society scenes. The musical accompaniment would have been performed by theater organists or small orchestras, with larger theaters possibly employing full orchestras for major releases. The emotional impact of the film would have been significantly enhanced by this live musical element, which was an integral part of the silent film experience.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews of 'The Exquisite Thief' were generally positive, with critics praising Priscilla Dean's performance and Tod Browning's direction. The Motion Picture News noted that 'Miss Dean gives one of her most convincing performances as the clever thief with a heart of gold,' while Variety highlighted the film's 'thrilling sequences and sophisticated plot.' The Los Angeles Times particularly commended the production values and the effective use of automobile chase scenes. Critics of the era often remarked on the film's entertainment value and its ability to balance crime elements with romance. Modern critical assessment is limited by the film's lost status, but film historians consider it an important example of Browning's early work and Dean's star power during her Universal period.

What Audiences Thought

The film was well-received by audiences upon its release, performing solidly at the box office during the lucrative holiday season of late 1919. Audience response was particularly enthusiastic about Priscilla Dean's portrayal of the sophisticated thief, with many viewers relating to the character's independence and resourcefulness. The film's combination of crime, romance, and high-society settings appealed to the increasingly sophisticated movie-going public of the post-war era. Contemporary trade publications reported strong attendance figures, particularly in urban markets where such crime melodramas were most popular. The film's success contributed to Dean's status as one of Universal's most reliable box office draws during this period, helping the studio compete with the increasingly dominant Paramount and MGM productions.

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