By Hook or Crook (film)

By Hook or Crook
Directed by	Dell Henderson
Written by	Harry O. Hoyt Clara Beranger
Starring	Carlyle Blackwell Evelyn Greeley Jack Drumier
Cinematography	Louis Ostland
Production company	World Film
Distributed by	World Film
Release date	September 9, 1918 (1918-09-09)
Running time	50 minutes
Country	United States
Languages	Silent English intertitles

By Hook or Crook is a 1918 American silent comedy film directed by Dell Henderson and starring Carlyle Blackwell, Evelyn Greeley and Jack Drumier. It was shot at Fort Lee, New Jersey. ^[1]

Cast

• Carlyle Blackwell as Frederic Pritchard
• Evelyn Greeley as Gloria Nevins
• Jack Drumier as Frederic Pritchard Sr.
• Frank Doane as Smithson
• Jennie Ellison as Mrs. Pritchard
• Nora Cecil as Aunt Marie
• Alice Chapin as Mrs. Nevins
• Henry Warwick as Henry Arnold

Reception

Variety's review was positive, the story was described as "improbable but interesting" and the reviewer found the settings "pleasing." ^[2]

Moving Picture World's Edward Weitzel gave the film a positive review as well, praising the cast. ^[3]

Jack Drumier, Carlyle Blackwell, and Evelyn Greeley

Motion Picture News was also positive, giving particular praise to Carlyle Blackwell for his comedic performance and stunt-work later in the film. ^[4]

Censorship

The Chicago Board of Censors removed several scenes of a burglar stealing from safe in reel 3 and of a man sandpapering his finger tips in reel 4. ^[5]

Preservation

With no prints of By Hook or Crook located in any film archives, it is considered a lost film. ^[6]

References

1. Altomara p.15
2. Variety. New York City: Variety Publishing Co. September 20, 1918. p. 46.
3. The Moving picture world. New York City: Chalmers Publishing Co. September 21, 1918. p. 1770.
4. Motion Picture News. New York: Motion Picture News, Inc. September 14, 1918. p. 1763.
5. Exhibitors Herald. Chicago: Exhibitors Herald Co. September 14, 1918. p. 44.
6. "The Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Catalog: By Hook or Crook". March 21, 2024. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2025.

Bibliography

• Altomara, Rita Ecke. Hollywood on the Palisades: A Filmography of Silent Features Made in Fort Lee, New Jersey, 1903-1927. Garland Pub, 1983.
• Connelly, Robert B. The Silents: Silent Feature Films, 1910-36, Volume 40, Issue 2. December Press, 1998.
• Munden, Kenneth White. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the United States, Part 1. University of California Press, 1997.

External links

• By Hook or Crook at IMDb