Is What a Clue Will Do Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1917)
Potts, the detective, with his pupil, Pan, are called by a mother to save her child. They go to the spot, accompanied by their hound, in a dog grip, and find the broken-hearted mother, who gives them a shoe and a little shirt as the only means of identifying her child. They see the cub reporter, who has been sent to the neighborhood on a lost child story, and think that she is the kidnapper. Potts enters the saloon, after he sees the reporter enter. She has gone to report on the telephone to her editor. Potts holds up the whole room, and then he and Pan proceed to search the premises. One particularly large person threatens them with a bungstarter. While Pan is waiting for Potts, he scrapes acquaintance with the reporter. When the detectives return from their fruitless search they see the big fellow playing the piano. The distracted mother comes in, and seeing the piano player she recognizes him as her child. Potts takes one look at the tiny shoe and the shirt and gives up the case.
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Comedy cinema, then What a Clue Will Do offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 1917 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
Debuting in 1917, What a Clue Will Do represents a sophisticated intersection of artistic ambition and genre-defining elements within the Comedy category. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Potts, the detective, with his pupil, Pan, are called by a mother to save her child. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Comedy are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Potts, the detective, with his pupil, Pan, are called by a mother to save her child. They go to the spot, accompanied by their hound, in a dog grip, and find the broken-hearted mother, who gives them a shoe and a little shirt as the only means of identifying her child. They see the cub reporter, who has been sent to the neighborhood on a lost child story, and think that she is the kidnapper. Potts enters the saloon, after he sees the reporter enter. She has gone to report on the telephone to her editor. Potts holds up the whole room, and then he and Pan proceed to search the premises. One particularly large person threatens them with a bungstarter. While Pan is waiting for Potts, he scrapes acquaintance with the reporter. When the detectives return from their fruitless search they see the big fellow playing the piano. The distracted mother comes in, and seeing the piano player she recognizes him as her child. Potts takes one look at the tiny shoe and the shirt and gives up the case."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite the inherent talent of Lee Moran, the performance in What a Clue Will Do feels somewhat constrained by a narrative framework that doesn't fully exploit their range. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall impact is muted.
The direction by Louis Chaudet is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 11 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is What a Clue Will Do truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Comedy, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, What a Clue Will Do explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1917 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Louis Chaudet respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, What a Clue Will Do is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Lee Moran or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, What a Clue Will Do is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 0.2 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.