A Strong Revenge

Surprisingly funny, early Keystone as Ford Sterling and Nick Coghley fight over Mabel Normand, their weapon of choice being - cheese! Sterling's usual over-the-top mugging works hilariously to express the vileness of the cheese. There isn't much to it other than that, and the ability of people to ignore a wedge of limburger being shoved into their pockets is surprising, but, hey, it's funny.

A funny situation, which suffers from overacting, in imitation of the French eccentrics. Dutch and Irish characters do not make violent gestures with their hands, such as these actors would have us believe. Yet the main idea is amusing. The cobbler puts Limburger cheese in the grocer's shoes, which creates consternation at the ball. Later the grocer retaliates and wins back the pretty girl over which there is rivalry. A good comedy of its type. - The Moving Picture World, March 15, 1913

While the film features no cops or chase scenes, the film is surprisingly as good if not better than most Keystones that feature one. While the movie is essentially one run on joke about a piece of smelly cheese, it never drags or becomes boring or weary. You know those SNL sketches that feature one half hearted run on joke? How after the first thirty seconds it becomes tedious to watch? This is the complete opposite. In fact, I was genuinely laughing in some bits. Ford Sterling here is perfect in his role; so are Mack and Mabel. Speaking of Mabel, her acting ability is shown off here: her facial expressions really help the audience to realize just how dang smelly that old piece of cheese is! 10/10 recommend.