This Edwin S. Porter feature combines solid technique with an odd mixture of material that raises some interesting questions. One thing that is certain, though, is that it includes an excellent stop-motion sequence that is as enjoyable to watch as it is impressive in its technique.
The plot combines the familiar story of Goldilocks and the three bears with some chase sequences and some political commentary about then-President Theodore Roosevelt. Besides the unusual combination of topics, it also has a sudden and, in some respects, rather unsettling change of tone. The first part would work very well as family or children's entertainment, but the last part could well be distressing to some children, as it rejects or even contradicts the tone and atmosphere of the earlier part.
In itself, its portrayal of the Roosevelt figure could be somewhat ambiguous, and open to interpretation. But given the negative portrayal of Roosevelt in Porter's earlier feature "Terrible Teddy, the Grizzly King" (made in 1901, when Roosevelt had recently been elected Vice President), it is most probable that this one also was meant to satirize the President's sporting habits.
Regardless of the rest of it, the sequence of the dancing 'teddy' bears makes it more than worthwhile. It is a charming and entertaining scene, and it could only have been done through creative and painstaking work with the toy bears and the camera. It still looks very impressive and detailed. The rest of the movie does not come up to that level, but even overall it is certainly interesting and unusual in several respects.