Pretty Smooth 1919
""To Know her is to lose your heart. your watch & chain, too.""
Rollin S. Sturgeon's *Pretty Smooth* (1919) blends crime and comedy into a silent-era gem where mischief meets romance in the most unexpected ways.
Director: Rollin S. Sturgeon
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pretty Smooth (1919) about?
*Pretty Smooth* follows Gertie Jones, a talkative thief known as "The Chatterbox," who lands a job as a French maid for a wealthy woman with a prized diamond necklace. After a failed attempt to steal the necklace, she devises a clever ruse to cover her tracks—only for a dashing thief to walk into her plan and complicate everything. Their instant connection turns a simple robbery into an unexpected romance.
Who directed Pretty Smooth?
The film was directed by Rollin S. Sturgeon, a prolific filmmaker of the silent era known for blending crime, comedy, and romance in his early works.
Who stars in Pretty Smooth?
The film stars Priscilla Dean as Gertie Jones, Francis McDonald as Jimmy Hartigan, along with Gertrude Astor, George A. McDaniel, and Josef Swickard rounding out the cast.
Is Pretty Smooth (1919) worth watching?
For silent film enthusiasts and fans of early comedies, *Pretty Smooth* offers a charming mix of humor and light crime antics, though its unrated status means expectations should stay realistic. The playful dynamic between Dean and McDonald adds warmth to the film's breezy 60-minute runtime, making it a curious watch for vintage cinema lovers.
How long is Pretty Smooth?
The runtime for *Pretty Smooth* is 60 minutes.
About Pretty Smooth (1919) — A Silent-Era Crime-Comedy with a Twist of Romance
Rollin S. Sturgeon's *Pretty Smooth* (1919) blends crime and comedy into a silent-era gem where mischief meets romance in the most unexpected ways. The film follows Gertie Jones, a kleptomaniac thief nicknamed "The Chatterbox" for her habit of muttering to herself mid-heist, who stumbles upon a lucrative opportunity while working as a French maid for a wealthy woman with a prized $40,000 diamond necklace. When her clumsy attempt to crack the safe leaves telltale scratches, she cleverly frames a fake burglary call to the police—only for legendary thief Jimmy Hartigan to arrive on the scene and steal her heart instead of her loot. Their instant attraction sets off a chain of events that's equal parts slapstick chaos and heartfelt charm, all wrapped in the gilded veneer of Jazz Age escapism.
Sturgeon's direction balances lighthearted humor with a dash of criminal ingenuity, making *Pretty Smooth* a delightful throwback to early cinema's playful side. The chemistry between Priscilla Dean and Francis McDonald as Gertie and Jimmy crackles with playful tension, grounding the film's absurd premise in genuine affection. With its breezy runtime and whimsical tone, this 60-minute silent short offers a snapshot of early Hollywood's knack for turning petty crimes into grand romantic comedies.