Where to Watch in
Free
Plot
In this whimsically eccentric odyssey from 1916, Douglas Fairbanks - who later gained acclaim as an action hero - embodies the character of Coke Ennyday, also known as the "world's greatest scientific detective". This film - a peculiarly tantalizing collaboration between Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith and Tod Browning, with only Browning receiving on-screen credit - presents a delightful parody of the revered "Sherlock Holmes" series.
Coke Ennyday, with his eccentric lifestyle segmented into periods for "Sleep", "Eat", "Dope" and "Drink", is a detective like no other. Resorting to an unconventional toolkit of narcotics, Ennyday consumes substances to amplify his energy and injects his adversaries to incapacitate them, adding a surreal twist to the traditional detective narrative.
Ennyday's uncanny sleuthing prowess brings him face-to-face with an opium smuggling operation, where "Leaping Fishes" are used as the unlikely carriers of the contraband. Unable to resist his idiosyncratic habits, Ennyday indulges in the confiscated opium, spiraling further into the rabbit hole of this peculiar mystery.
The plot thickens with the introduction of a shadowy figure intent on marrying the "fish blower" girl. As the narrative weaves through twists and turns, the question remains: will Coke Ennyday, with his quirky gadgets, questionable wit, and indulgence in drugs, manage to rescue the girl and crack the enigma of the leaping fish? This anomaly of a film offers a unique blend of satire, suspense, and surrealism that is sure to captivate viewers.
Where to watch The Mystery of the Leaping Fish?
The Mystery of the Leaping Fish is a comedy movie directed by John Emerson.
The Mystery of the Leaping Fish is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Cultpix and Kanopy.