Volume II: Filmography

IN THE CONSERVATORY

(Princess)

December 11, 1914 (Friday)

Length: 1 reel (977 feet)

Character: "The cleverest detective drama of many months"

Cast: Ethyle Cooke (Mrs. Ralph Schuyler), Eldean Steuart (Mrs. Schuyler's daughter), Mayre Hall (governess), Frank Wood ("Sergeant Wilson"), Boyd Marshall (the "prisoner"), John Reinhard (bona fide detective)

Note: Eldean Steuart appeared in some credits erroneously as "Elaine Stewart."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, December 12, 1914:

"At a large dinner-dance given by Mrs. Ralph Schuyler, the hostess discovers that her jewels have been stolen. Suspicion points to the governess of her child, and the young woman is about to be arrested, when a well-dressed stranger comes forward, confesses to the theft, and produces the gems from his pocket. Another guest shows a police shield and, introducing himself as Sergeant Wilson, handcuffs the confessed thief and leads him away. On the street Wilson explains to his prisoner that he is himself a crook, whose game is to pose as a police-detective in order to help out other thieves. The next instant, the 'prisoner' springs forward, handcuffs snap, and Wilson finds that the tables have been turned. Blowing a police whistle, his captor summons help - and 'Sergeant Wilson' learns that not only may thieves masquerade as detectives, but that detectives may also pose as thieves; and that by turning against him his own weapons, the cleverest detective in the city has drawn him into a trap."

REVIEW, The Bioscope, February 25, 1915:

"A very clever little play with an unusually original plot, which contains several dramatic 'surprise' situations. It deals with the ingenious manner in which a gentleman thief is trapped by the police, and is admirably acted by such finished and natural players as Boyd Marshall and Mayre Hall. We fancy, however, that in one or two places the significance of the action might be made just a trifle clearer."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, December 26, 1914:

"A society mystery, involving the theft and discovery of some stolen gems. The plot is particularly pleasing because it contains a good surprise feature, something difficult to achieve. This holds the attention well."

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