Madame Mystery
Madame Mystery is a 1926 American silent comedy film starring Theda Bara, Oliver Hardy, and James Finlayson, directed by Richard Wallace and Stan Laurel, co-written by Laurel, and produced by Hal Roach. Footage from this film was reused in the Hal Roach two-reeler 45 Minutes From Hollywood.
Plot
The film is a lighthearted parody of a spy adventure, in which Theda Bara spoofs her famous femme fatale image. The plot revolves around a female secret agent, Madame Mysterieux, who possesses a highly potent, city-leveling explosive gas. Two down-on-their-luck artists/authors, played by Tyler Brooke and James Finlayson, accidentally get involved when they stumble upon two unconscious secret agents who were pursuing Madame Mysterieux. Mistakenly believing there is a large reward, the duo assumes the agents' identities and follows the "mystery" woman onto an ocean liner bound for America. Aboard the ship, various comedic misadventures ensue as they attempt to retrieve the substance, culminating in Finlayson accidentally swallowing the gas and floating away like a balloon.Cast
- Theda Bara as Madame Mysterieux
- Tyler Brooke as Hungry artist
- James Finlayson as Struggling author
- Oliver Hardy as Captain Schmaltz
- Fred Malatesta as Man of a thousand eyes
- Martha Sleeper
- Sammy Brooks
- Helen Gilmore
- William Gillespie
- R.E. Madeson
- Marguerite Gonzalez