| A Perfect Crime | |
| Director: | Allan Dwan |
| Story: | Carl Clausen |
| Based On: | "The Perfect Crime", short story in The Saturday Evening Post |
| Producer: | Allan Dwan Mack Sennett |
| Screenplay: | Allan Dwan |
| Starring: | Monte Blue Jacqueline Logan Stanton Heck Hardee Kirkland Carole Lombard |
| Cinematography: | H. Lyman Broening |
| Studio: | Allan Dwan Productions |
| Distributor: | Associated Producers |
| Runtime: | 5 reels |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | Silent (English intertitles) |
A Perfect Crime is a 1921 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Allan Dwan and starring Monte Blue, Jacqueline Logan, Stanton Heck, Hardee Kirkland, and Carole Lombard. It was Logan and Lombard's feature film debut. Lombard was credited as Jane Peters at the time. It is not known whether the film survives, which suggests it may be lost.[1] [2]
Based on a short story published in The Saturday Evening Post on September 25, 1920, by Carl Clausen, the movie concerns the life of bank messenger Wally Griggs and his wastly different alter ego James Brown.[3]
A mild-mannered bank messenger named Wally Griggs lives a double life as James Brown, a wild and rakish adventurer. He catches the eye of bank president Halliday, curious about his exploits, and of his coworker and only friend Mary, who is romantically interested in him.
Mary lost her fortune after trusting a swindler named "Big Bill" Thaine, who is now a district attorney determined to marry her despite her reluctance. Wally decides to steal money from the bank, leading to his arrest by Thaine. He sues for false imprisonment and in the process manages to win back Mary's money. He then returns the stolen bank bonds while faking amnesia.
A publisher, intrigued by Wally's tales about his life as James Brown, offers him a book deal. Making enough money to support himself as an author, Wally quits his job and marries Mary.
The movie was positively received in the press.[4] [5]