Volume II: Filmography Volume II: Filmography
February 1, 1915 (Monday)
Length: 2 reels (Reels 21 and 22)
Note: The title, description, and 30 prints of scenes from this episode were registered by the Copyright Office on February 3, 1915.
ARTICLE, The Moving Picture World, September 11, 1915:
Excerpt from an article about Francis Worcester Doughty: "Hook and Hand, produced by the Blaché Company [February 1914], was his first screened endeavor - and his first script as well - and this fast-moving five-reeler brought him the commission to strengthen Zudora, which, in its earlier numbers, contained more literature than action. From the 11th installment to the end his action was followed and this serial was whipped from failure to success. This work, in turn, brought him to the attention of David Horsley, who was looking for someone to write melodramas...."
SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, January 23, 1915:
"Soon after the robbery of Zudora's apartment, as set forth in Episode Ten, which she had taken after the fire that had destroyed her house, circumstances arose which made it necessary for her to change her quarters. In some mysterious fashion her income is cut off, which, as its sources have already been something of a mystery to her, made it difficult to trace. John Storm and Jim Baird, however, have taken the task upon themselves, while the strangely missing Hassam Ali, whom many believe dead, but whose remains were not found in the burned house, is not there to answer the many questions, which the young lawyer and the newspaperman would have liked to have asked. So it happens that Zudora, refusing all financial aid from her friends, goes to live with a certain Mrs. Ramsey, a kindly woman, and an old friend of her mother's. And there Zudora, for the first time in many days, finds rest and contentment.
"In the meantime the affairs of Madame Duval and her band of conspirators have prospered. Having identified Zudora as the daughter of the owner of the Zudora claim, they plot against her, as they have designs of their own on this fabulously wealthy mine. Baird and Storm both suspect that she has had a principal part in depriving Zudora of her fortune, but as yet neither of them has obtained the slightest evidence against this beautiful but extremely dangerous woman. In her wonderful Grecian salon, Madame Duval is constantly surrounded by a veritable court, her satellites being her principal aids in the numerous evil schemes in which she is the central figure.
"It happens that on this particular day the band are gathered together for an especial purpose. As they chat, the cleverly constructed fountain in the center of the salon signals that a newcomer is about to enter, and Captain Radcliffe, most favored of Madame Duval's many suitors, steps to the secret elevator behind the portieres and admits three of the rougher members of the band. Hat in hand the three confer with their fair chieftainess. Then Madame Duval steps to a secret vault, adroitly hidden in a pillar, and brings forth a bag which fairly bulges with diamonds. They are the gems which Bruce has brought. The brilliants are spread upon a table, where they glisten and glow like living things.
"'And these are but a part of the spoils,' almost whispers Madame Duval, as the others draw around her. 'There is more - much more to be had. Nor shall we have to wait long.' While she speaks, Captain Radcliffe draws a heart with a dagger through it on a piece of paper. This he passes around the circle, and each member holds it, while their beautiful leader writes her initials within. She gives a few brief instructions to the three newcomers, who then take their departure. They do not know that Jim Baird has trailed them thither, nor that he again knows them as they leave the house. For Baird has hit upon a clue.
"He knows that Bruce, whom he sought to trail from the steamer, later being made captive by some of the band, as told in Episode 10, has brought to America diamonds from the Zudora properties in South Africa. So when he trails the three men to a diamond cutter's, he feels that he is close to a solution of the mystery. How to observe their dealing with the diamond cutter is a problem, but Baird, never at a loss in time of need, procures a rope, ascends to the roof of the building and lowers himself down to a point, where he can peer in through the window at the doings of the trio.
"Meanwhile John Storm, also following the devious paths of the conspirators, might have been found in the office of Tom Hunt, the detective, carefully scrutinizing some scraps of burned paper which Zudora had found in an old trunk, one of the few things rescued from the fire. He gets some information, which he sends to Tom Hunt, which interests that astute individual mightily. Straight-away, the detective sets forth on another line of inquiry.
"While all these things are happening, Zudora, never suspecting the vital events that are taking place, sits safe at home, toying thoughtfully with a bracelet, which has just been given her by John Storm. Suddenly, there appears at the window a startling apparition, bearing a heart-shaped shield, on which is written a warning message, bidding her to flee the country on pain of worse befalling her. But before the girl can call for aid, the spectre vanishes.
"In the meantime Tom Hunt has not been idle. Acting on the information he has received, he trails two of the band to the hut, where he had rescued Baird and Zudora from their clutches a short time before. And there ensues another encounter, which is even more desperate than the first. At last, however, Hunt, by his superior agility, overcomes both burly ruffians, and covering them with his revolver, puts handcuffs on their wrists. Then, having safely disposed of them, he goes to find Zudora, whither Storm and Baird have already gone, to tell her of their respective discoveries."
REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, February 6, 1915:
"The opening scenes are again in the salon of Madame Duval, where the smuggled diamonds had been hidden. Zudora's lover, Jim Baird, and a detective were all working to run down the gang. The scenes are, unfortunately, disconnected in character, which interferes with the natural suspense of the situations. Baird finally locates the gang. They send a ghostly messenger to frighten Zudora out of the country. The installments seem to lack continuity, owing no doubt to changes in the cast. The series should improve in future numbers."
# # #
Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.