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1914Thanhouser CompanyTwo reelsDrama

The Diamond of Disaster

Also released as A Diamond Disaster

No copy you can watch online. No print is known to survive. What follows is what does: the release, the cast, the story, and what the trade press said at the time.

The story

“A famous diamond, which has caused death and dishonor to Rajah and his captain is given by a dying Hindoo to an Englishman. The Englishman, Davis, learns the story of a fatal gem from a native fakir, or wise man, but will not permit himself to be alarmed by superstitious tales. Not long after, he goes away, leaving his wife and baby in the care of his trusted Hindoo servant. However, the servant has seen the diamond, and loyalty giving way before greed, he plots with the bandit chieftain to rob the Englishman of the gem. The diamond is found, and the two Indians quarrel for its possession. In the struggle, a lamp falls into a barrel of gunpowder, blowing up the house. The Englishman, who has turned back, sees the building fall, but reaches the place in time to rescue his wife and child. The servant and the bandit are found dead. Then Davis takes the precious stone and hurls it into the sea.”

Summary from Reel Life · 26 September 1914

What the papers said

1 review · 2 articles

“A stone which has caused the death of a rajah also causes the burning of his home when two servants quarrel for its possession. He is in time, however, to save his wife and baby from the flames.”

The Morning Telegraph · 11 October 1914

Articles2 · 5 September 1914 – 3 October 1914

5 September 1914The New Rochelle Pioneer1 min

“Carroll Fleming is producing a big spectacular two-reel drama, The Diamond Disaster [sic], the scenes of which are laid in the East Indies. Irving Cummings, David H. Thompson, and Carey L. Hastings are playing the leads, and horses are used with telling effect.”

3 October 1914Reel Life1 min

“Carey L. Hastings, in The Diamond of Disaster, a recent Thanhouser drama, appeared in one of the most unique and striking makeups lately seen on the screen. In the character of an Indian princess, her complexion darkened, she wore a robe of rich Oriental colorings, girdled with gold ornaments, and draped with a filmy scarf over jewel-studded sleeves. A turban wound about her loose black hair fluttered long ends as she galloped into the scene. The part is full of action and intense feeling. Miss Hastings, who is noted for her strong character work, distinguished herself in the piece. Her triumph was especially noteworthy, the part being completely out of the usual type which Miss Hastings portrays.”

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Cast and crew

Director
Carroll Fleming
Cast
Carey L. Hastings as the Englishman’s wife
David H. Thompson as servant of the English couple
Ernest C. Warde as the fakir
Irving Cummings as Davis, the Englishman
J.S. Murray as Hindu merchant
James S. Murray
John Richards as Hassan, the rajah’s captain
Justus D. Barnes as the bandit
Morgan Jones as the rajah
Muriel Ostriche as Zelda, the dancing girl
Marvin Perry Horton
Writer
Philip Lonergan

Every name opens that person's page, with each film they appear in and which of them you can watch.

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More about this film

Bowers’ notes

Production of this film was in progress during the week of August 31 and was completed during the week of September 14, 1914.

From Volume II: Filmography of Q. David Bowers’ Thanhouser Films: An Encyclopedia and History, reproduced with permission and unchanged. Read the history of 1914 →

Cite as: Bowers, Q. David. Thanhouser Films: An Encyclopedia and History, “The Diamond of Disaster”. thanhouser.org/films/the-diamond-of-disaster/

Where a print is held

Held by
No print known