Lost1911Thanhouser Company1,000 feetComedy

The Moth

Name: The Moth
Genre: Comedy
Released: 1911-08-29

No copy you can watch online. No print is known to survive. What follows is what does: the release, the cast, the story, and what the trade press said at the time.

The story

“A young man, a city chap, decided to spend his vacation in the country, and made a profound impression upon the villagers, who were honored by having him in their midst. He was so neatly dressed, that the rural swains found themselves cast in the background. He made a profound impression upon the belle of the village, and even her mother heartily approved of him. But a moth was the cause of his undoing. The mother found a moth in her home, and her anguish was intensified when she discovered that he had been dining on some of her winter clothes. At the village drugstore she secured some ‘moth candles,’ guaranteed to light any moth to an unwept grave. The directions were to light these candles after closing all the windows and doors, and then wait for results. Ma did as she was told. Having some spare time on her hands, she and her daughter paid a call on a neighbor.

“While they were away, the city chap dropped around to pay a call upon the young woman he admired. He saw smoke curling under the door, and realized that the place was on fire. And having his chance to be a hero, he seized it promptly. The energetic young city chap fairly hummed around organized a bucket brigade, and under his directions they poured gallons of water on the structure, smashed in the doors, and ‘saved’ the furniture by hurling it out of the windows. But he saved the house, all right, then waited modestly for a few kind words when Ma came home. In a few well chosen words she told him what she thought of him, and explained that as much as she loathed moths, they would be far more welcomed as guests than he would be. He never saw the girl again. But he believed that he was unjustly treated, and that some women are extremely unkind.”

Summary from The Moving Picture World · 29 August 1911

What the papers said

3 reviews · 1 advertisement

Read in full · 1 min

“Only slightly amusing because of weakness in the basis of its plot, this film is not up to past high standards of this firm. A citified fellow visits a country town and at once begins to cut out the country lovers. The belle of the village is all but won by him, when his zeal meets with a jolting Waterloo. Her mother has procured a moth killer which acts as a sort of disinfectant. The smoke it causes leads the city man to think the house is afire and he gives an alarm. The bucket brigade arrives on the scene, the roof is chopped in, the house flooded and the interior badly damaged. The mother returns home on the run and speedily drives the youth from the place, all joining in the beating he receives. But why stretch the arm of comedy, always so generous in photoplay license, to the extent of making him wear his evening clothes in the daytime and on a straw ride? And country folk are not such lunkheads as not to know the difference in its use. Be sane, Mr. Producer, even if it hurts! We commend the way the play was staged, it being creditably done in every scene.”

The Morning Telegraph · 3 September 1911

Read in full · 1 min

“It might be well, according to this film, for an officious young man to delay saving a house until he investigates the source and cause of the smoke. The young man, when he organized a bucket brigade and put out a fire Ma had lighted to put the kibosh on moths, got in wrong with Ma, lost the girl and received a sample of what Ma could say and how vigorously she could say it when the occasion demanded. He thought he should at least be praised for saving the house, even though he did ruin the furniture. The hurt expression on his face is deliciously humorous when he realizes the full import of the occurrences.”

The Moving Picture World · 9 September 1911

More reviews

6 September 1911The New York Dramatic Mirror1 min

“A laugh provoking comedy from the nature of its evolution and the original and clever treatment afforded a unique idea is unfolded on this film in a humorous and convincing manner. Ma Todd was an exceptional housekeeper, and when she discovered a moth in her house she sent for a moth killer. She received a substance that should be burnt in the house with all doors and windows closed. Ma Todd ignited the substance and set forth to the neighbors. When the smart city chap, who wished to gain her favor and win her daughter’s hand, saw smoke issuing from her home, he called the country fire brigade, and they proceeded to demolish Ma Todd’s house. It is needless to say he did not win much favor with Ma Todd.”

26 August 1911The Moving Picture World1 min

“The moth in the story was not associated with the proverbial flame—just smoke. And where there was smoke there wasn’t fire—also in contradiction of the proverbial phrase. The picture deals with the falling and jumping in hasty conclusions, especially if you’re a city chap in the country and keen to ‘show’ the yokels. Our hero is such, and he got long, lingering laughs for his pains. Book the reel and join in the laugh.”