The Mystery of the Leaping Fish
The Mystery of the Leaping Fish is a short film directed by John Emerson and released in 1916. It is a silent film that features Douglas Fairbanks in the lead role, showcasing his comedic talents in a departure from his usual swashbuckling characters. The film is notable for its satirical take on drug culture and detective stories of the era.
Plot[edit | edit source]
The story revolves around Coke Ennyday, a quirky detective with a penchant for consuming various drugs, which he believes enhance his detective skills. The character parodies Sherlock Holmes and his drug use, presenting a humorous take on the detective genre. Ennyday is tasked with uncovering a smuggling operation that involves the importation of illegal drugs inside inflatable fish. The plot weaves through a series of comedic situations as Ennyday uses his unique methods to solve the case.
Production[edit | edit source]
The film was produced by the Triangle Film Corporation and is characterized by its unusual narrative and visual style, which includes exaggerated acting and comedic elements that were innovative for its time. The screenplay was co-written by Tod Browning, who would later become famous for directing the 1931 film Dracula and the cult classic Freaks.
Reception[edit | edit source]
Upon its release, The Mystery of the Leaping Fish received mixed reviews. Some praised its originality and humor, while others criticized it for its blatant drug references and perceived lack of moral message. Despite this, the film has gained a cult following over the years and is often discussed in the context of early cinema's experimentation with narrative and genre.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
The film's unique approach to storytelling and its satirical edge have made it a subject of interest for film historians and enthusiasts of silent cinema. It is considered a precursor to more modern forms of satire and comedy in film, demonstrating an early example of the genre's potential for social commentary.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
