SILENT FILMS 1915: IN THE GRASP OF THE LAW

CREDITS

Released: August 8, 1915

Production Company: Universal Film Manufacturing Company

Featured Cast: Lydia Yeamans Titus, Millard K. Wilson,
Marc B. Robbins, William A. Crinley

Producer: Carl Laemmle

Director: Frank Lloyd

Writer: Frank Lloyd

TECH

Sound Mix Silent
Color Black and White
Aspect Ratio 1.33 : 1
Film Length 300 m (1 reel)
Negative Format 35 mm
Cinematographic Process Spherical
Printed Film Format 35 mm

STORY

Kate Roberts and her mother live on the seacoast, where Mrs. Roberts runs a boarding house. Kate reads of the outside world and becomes dissatisfied with her quiet life. Ned Johnson, her sweetheart, is a source of interest to the summer visitors, and one day Kate and he have a spat because the women notice Ned so. Henry Andrews and his son come to the beach for a vacation and take lodgings at Mrs. Roberts’ house. Kate “falls for” the good looks and clothes of the son and seizes every opportunity to accompany him about. When passing Ned she cuts him dead. This leaves Ned heartsore and angry and he resolves to watch the strangers. One day he accidentally sees a notice offering a reward for the capture of a band of smugglers. Ned is sprawled out among the rocks when he sees a boat put away from a launch anchored out in the ocean and hurriedly come to shore. His curiosity is aroused and he sees the boat met by Andrews, who gets a suspicious looking box and hides it after the crew return to the ship. He hides until Andrews leaves and then hurries to the sheriff and tells him of his suspicions. The next morning Andrews and his son announce that they have to leave and call the automobile. As Andrews comes out with the box under his overcoat the sheriff steps up and arrests him. There is a fight, in which the two are subdued and taken to the lockup. Kate realizes the true worth of Ned and gladly returns to his love and their happiness is complete when later Ned is given a substantial reward for assisting in the capture of a brace of notorious smugglers.
Written By: Moving Picture World