Volume II: Filmography

Episode 7

ZUDORA

THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST SHIPS

a.k.a. THE PHANTOM OF THE FUTURE

January 4, 1915 (Monday)

Length: 2 reels (Reels 13 and 14)

Scenario: Lloyd F. Lonergan, from a story by Daniel Carson Goodman

Note: Prints of 48 scenes from this episode were registered by the Copyright Office on January 6, 1915.

ADVERTISEMENT, Reel Life, January 2, 1915:

"Mr. Exhibitor: Watch for sensational developments in the new episodes of Zudora. The early episodes of this wonderful photoplay are constructed to lead up to some of the most remarkable pieces of acting in the history of motion pictures. James Cruze, who is playing the leading masculine role in Zudora, will be shown in a dual character, more powerful than that portrayed by Richard Mansfield in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Mr. Cruze will show a dual personality in Episode 7, from then on playing the part of the hero and the part of the villain. The portrayal of the hero will be one of the most sensational things in motion pictures. In this part, he will eclipse his best as 'Jimmie Norton' in The Million Dollar Mystery.

"The new sensations in Zudora will come with such startling rapidity and such a multitude of thrills that the public will be keyed to the highest pitch of expectancy. We do not want to keep all the good things to ourselves; hence, we are letting you know, a little in advance, just what to expect from Zudora. This picture is breaking all records everywhere, and we intend that it shall set a new mark for photo serials. Yours very truly, Thanhouser Syndicate Corporation, W.E. Shallenberger, Vice President."

ADVERTISEMENT, The Moving Picture World, January 9, 1915:

"In Episode No. 7 you will find two extraordinary climaxes - the blowing up of a giant battle ship at sea and the destruction by fire of one of the finest old mansions in suburban New York, with the thrilling rescue of Zudora by the new hero, Jim Baird. Watch for these dramatic and stupendous surprises."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, December 26, 1914:

"The seventh case which Zudora was called upon to solve proved to be the most difficult problem of all that she had yet encountered, and it was also destined to have an important influence on her future. A mysterious personage, one James Baird, makes his appearance, but just who he is and whence he has come are not revealed. That his identity causes John Storm some anxiety, however, is evident. As to Hassam Ali, he remains the same mystical, sphinx-like figure, which he has been from the beginning.

"It happens that the J.B. Starr Company, a great shipping concern, whose vessels ply in all parts of the world, keep losing ships without apparent reason, when no rough weather or collisions have been reported. They gain an apparent clue to these strange disappearances, when a series of mysterious explosions occur on some of their ships lying at their docks. Obviously it is the work of some enemy, and after placing the case in the hands of a detective agency, who gain little information for them, the head of the company appeals to Hassam Ali. The mystic, in accordance with his agreement turns the case over to his ward, Zudora.

"Just at this time John Storm, her sweetheart, has asked her for her photograph, and she has promised to have one taken. Not realizing the full designs of her uncle, Zudora asks him where she may have her likeness taken, and he directs her to a certain photographer, one Fal Green, above whose studio there lives an inventor-confederate of the mystic. Hassam plans there to gain the ends for which he had been striving.

"Zudora goes to the photographer's, and while she is there her uncle calls on the inventor and to his surprise learns from him that he has discovered a wonderful, but terribly destructive power in a certain ray of light, which he is able to throw for immense distances, or which, by a clock mechanism, he can release at a given time. From him Hassam also learns that the ships were destroyed merely as a means of proving the power of his discovery. By a liberal use of money the mystic persuades the inventor to agree to follow his instructions. Then the two men, through an opening in the floor, watch Zudora pose for her photograph in the studio below. Later Hassam plans to make use of his friend's mysterious invention to destroy his niece.

"Meanwhile Zudora has learned many things from Fal Green, the photographer. He is aware of the remarkable invention of Hassam's ally, although he does not know of the evil uses to which it has been put, and he tells Zudora about it. Also he tells her of an invention of his own, a certain chemical mixture, which he has discovered, which records and develops a picture instantaneously. Aided by John Storm, Zudora concludes that there is some connection between the lost ships and the inventor above the photographer's studio, but she keeps her own counsel, awaiting developments.

"When she returns to the studio for her finished pictures, her uncle follows her again, determined to wreak his will. While the photographer is absent for a moment, she examines a bottle of the curious mixture he had told her about, and by accident drops it, shattering it to pieces. As she stoops to clean up the mess, she is astounded to see the pictured face of her uncle appear on the floor, and looking upward sees him hurriedly withdrawing his face from the aperture in the ceiling. Certain that all is not right she hastens from the studio and informs Storm of her strange experience, while Fal Green goes to accuse the inventor of spying on him. Storm returns with her after notifying a detective agency to send two operatives to the photographer's studio. Arrived there they force their way into the inventor's rooms, when suddenly there is an explosion and the house is in flames.

"And then a strange thing happens. In the general stampede for safety Storm and the others in the house reach the street unharmed, while Zudora, alone, is trapped in the doomed building. Storm seems dazed by the danger to his sweetheart and wrings his hands helplessly. Then out of the crowd dashes a solitary figure. It is James Baird. He fights his way through the flame and smoke of the burning house to Zudora's side and carries her safely to the street. He puts her down tenderly and when, a moment later, she recovers her senses and turns to thank him, he is gone."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, January 16, 1915:

"No. 7 of the Zudora series. The main feature in this number, the invention of the violet ray for blowing up battleships, has been used before. In this instance Hassam Ali conspires with the inventor and Zudora is drawn into the case. There is the usual air of mystery about the production; the photograph stamped on the floor was a novel piece of business. The number is only of about average interest and seemed a little incomplete at the close."

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