Comedienne and probable Olive Oyle prototype Gale Henry plays a detective trying to get to the bottom of a mystery that centers on a Chinese restaurant.
This film leans heavily into the negative stereotypes that xenophobic people attached to Chinese food at the time. It also features an extremely surreal multi-level set, almost like a side-scrolling video game. In short, an incredibly mixed bag but well worth discussing.
How does it end? Hover or tap below for a spoiler.
It was all a dream.Read my full-length review here. I dig into the context of the film and how Chinese restaurants were essential for immigrants who hoped to evade racist immigration bans and reunite with their families.
If it were a dessert it would be: Wax Lips. Not really accurate but worth the conversation.
Availability: Released on DVD as part of the Slapstick Encyclopedia. Some of the online versions I have seen cut out random title cards for heaven knows what reason.
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Movies Silently 
The Amazon link goes to general merchandise. This is correct: https://www.amazon.com/Slapstick-Encyclopedia-Charles-Chaplin/dp/B00005Y6YV Here is a complete rundown of the “Slapstick Encyclopedia” contents http://www.silentera.com/video/collSlapstickEncyclopedHV.html
There is a good print of THE DETECTRESS from LOC material online (no music) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5LIRaTzydI.