The Smuggler

Jean Dupont, a captain of the Coast Guards, is in love with Marie, the daughter of a smuggler. Jean thinks her father is a respectable fisherman. One day, while Marie and Jean are taking a stroll near the coast, he receives an order to the effect that the smugglers are quite active in his district and cautions him to double his guard and to be on the lookout. This order is seen by Marie. She at once thinks of her poor father and makes an excuse to get away from Jean. She runs home, gets her signal lantern, hurries to the spot where her father waits for the usual signal of safety. Marie meets her father, who is returning with the smuggled goods. She informs him that the guards are after him. and pleads with him to allow her to take his coat and hat that she might lead the guards a wild goose chase so that he can reach home in safety. Marie is mistaken for a smuggler by Jean, and his guards. Jean orders his guards to shoot.

Directed by —, The Smuggler leans on a strong ensemble — Thomas Aitken, Frances Ne Moyer, William Carr — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about comedy titles of 1912.