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That's how H.A. Downey described this short back in 1909, and he's not wrong. Directed by D.W. Griffith, The Golden Louie follows a "well-intentioned" gambler (Charles Inslee) that takes a coin from a beggar child (Adele DeGarde). His plan is to use the coin for a "sure bet" and to return the money after he wins. Unfortunately, things don't work the way he planned.
From a technical standpoint, there's not much to the short. It features mostly static cameras and little "flair". As is usual in these early shorts, the acting and the whole production is very stage-y and theatrical. In terms of the story, it is a hell of a downer. The film mostly follows the perspective of the gambler, which makes things feel a bit awkward since his actions are, for lack of a better word, sh!tty.
At almost 7 minutes, it is not that much of a chore to check it out, but there really isn't that much to get out of it. I'm not sure what Griffith's intentions were, but the repentance of the gambler in the end feels like "too little, too late", which kinda leaves you with a sour taste afterwards.
Grade:
THE GOLDEN LOUIS
(1909, Griffith)
(1909, Griffith)
"A subject showing the fallacy of good intentions."
That's how H.A. Downey described this short back in 1909, and he's not wrong. Directed by D.W. Griffith, The Golden Louie follows a "well-intentioned" gambler (Charles Inslee) that takes a coin from a beggar child (Adele DeGarde). His plan is to use the coin for a "sure bet" and to return the money after he wins. Unfortunately, things don't work the way he planned.
From a technical standpoint, there's not much to the short. It features mostly static cameras and little "flair". As is usual in these early shorts, the acting and the whole production is very stage-y and theatrical. In terms of the story, it is a hell of a downer. The film mostly follows the perspective of the gambler, which makes things feel a bit awkward since his actions are, for lack of a better word, sh!tty.
At almost 7 minutes, it is not that much of a chore to check it out, but there really isn't that much to get out of it. I'm not sure what Griffith's intentions were, but the repentance of the gambler in the end feels like "too little, too late", which kinda leaves you with a sour taste afterwards.
Grade: