Volume II: Filmography

Episode 12

THE TWENTY MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY

A BAG OF DIAMONDS

February 8, 1915 (Monday)

Length: 2 reels (Reels 23 and 24)

Note: The title, description, and 42 prints of scenes from this episode were registered by the Copyright Office on February 3, 1915.

ARTICLE, The Moving Picture World, January 30, 1915:

"Director Howell Hansel has completed the 12th episode in the Thanhouser-Mutual serial, Zudora, or The $20,000,000 Mystery, and it will shortly be on sale at all Mutual exchanges. It is called A Bag of Diamonds. The stones belong to Zudora, but her rascally old uncle, Hassam Ali, took them from her before he died and entrusted them to a servant, who misplaced them. Jim Baird, played by James Cruze, the new hero, aids John Storm (Harry Benham) in obtaining these diamonds again for Zudora."

ARTICLE, The New Rochelle Pioneer, February 20, 1915:

"Sidney Bracy, in the 12th episode of The $20,000,000 Mystery was called upon to do a stunt with Tom Hunt, detective, and he got away with it in great shape. It was a simple matter for Sid to crawl through the seventh story window of a factory building and repose on a steel shutter, as a hiding place. Yet he admits that he had a shivering feeling as the day was chilly. Every episode of the Mystery is getting more thrilling. It can be seen at the Thanhouser Theatre every Monday afternoon and evening."

ARTICLE, The New Rochelle Pioneer, February 20, 1915:

"Twenty-five fond mammas have written to Peggy Snow from various parts of the country advising her of the fact that 'my girl was named Zudora.' They asked in many instances if Peggy would be godmother, and the gracious lady that she is, replied in the affirmative. In addition, Miss Snow forwarded to each of the mites a silver spoon made especially from the Zudora trademark as a memento of the occasion. Lucky kids, these!"

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, January 30, 1915:

"From the time when Zudora received her terrible fright from the specter bearing the dagger-pierced heart, as set forth in Episode Eleven, events began to move with a rapidity that was marvelous. The strange destiny that has seemed to follow her from the beginning enmeshes her still more strongly, until there appears to be no escape. A burned fragment of a letter from her father, in which he tells of bequeathing the rich Zudora mine in South Africa to his daughter, has furnished a clue to John Storm, however, of which he, Jim Baird, the reporter, and Tom Hunt, the shrewd detective, are not slow to take advantage.

"They do not know that the original will is in the possession of Madame Duval and her band, nor that news has come to this clever adventuress of a rich 'strike' in the Zudora diamond mine. All they know is that for reasons of her own this dangerous woman has designs on the safety of Zudora, and for this reason a constant watch is kept on her movements.

"From Madame Duval's viewpoint, the news of the 'strike' is all-important. If the stake was worth playing for before, it has become a veritable bonanza now. Apparently, all the cards are in her hands. By means of forged papers Bruce, her able confederate, has convinced the mine superintendent, Henry Howard that the mine has been sold to his chieftainess, and it is to her that Howard reports. When he receives a letter from Madame Duval, however, directing him to bring the mine's output to New York, the superintendent grows suspicious. He obeys, but plans to locate Zudora, while in that city, and learn the truth from her.

"It happens that when Howard arrives, he is taken at once to Madame Duval's home, where he gives a graphic account of the 'strike,' which will mean millions to the owner of the Zudora mine, and turns the diamonds he has brought with him over to his fair hostess. Tom Hunt, the detective, who is shadowing the house, sees and hears all, and speedily communicates what he has learned to Jim Baird, when the reporter relieves him in keeping guard over the headquarters of the conspirators.

"Meanwhile, Captain Radcliffe, becoming suspicious after Howard has left - and he may be a trifle jealous of the impression he has made on Madame Duval - decides to drive him back across the ocean. He sees to it that Howard receives the secret warning of the band - the sign of the 'Heart and Dagger' - but Howard is made of sterner stuff and decides to stay. Once his decision is made known to Madame Duval, that resourceful woman determines to avoid all chance of discovery by having the stones he has brought cut at once. In pursuance of this plan they are entrusted to Bill and Ike, two rascally members of the band, who are sworn under the organization's mystical oath to deliver the gems to a lapidary. The bag is then given to another of the gang, who, with these worthies as bodyguards, sets out for the diamond-cutter's. He has not gone far, when Jim Baird, who has been on watch and suspects what is happening, holds him up and relieves him of the jewels. Then cleverly eluding the gunman's bodyguards, the reporter sets out for Mrs. Ramsey's, where he triumphantly delivers the stones to Zudora.

"News of this daring coup is brought to Madame Duval, who realizes that if further knowledge of the mine gets out, it will mean ruin to the band. Though frantic with rage, she is swift to act. Acting under her directions a number of her most trusted agents seize Howard and overpower him. The mine superintendent is taken to a certain sanitorium, a resort conducted by one Dr. Israel Munn, an unscrupulous quack, and there he is kept under close guard.

"Madame Duval's next move is to get possession of the lost diamonds of Zudora. So it happens that after a happy evening with his sweetheart, John Storm is startled to learn the next morning that she has disappeared in the night. He takes counsel with Baird and Tom Hunt, and after a week's unflagging search, Zudora is located. She, also, is a prisoner in Dr. Munn's sanitorium.

"The three devise a plan, which though desperate, seems feasible. Incidentally, to Jim Baird falls the lion's share of the dangerous work, which the plan entails. He it is that locates in just what part of the building Zudora is imprisoned and who leads the attack. Together they force their way into the sanitorium, and while Baird and Hunt hold off the doctor and his hirelings, Zudora is carried off in the strong arms of her lover. As for the crooked medical man, he receives his just deserts, but as often happens, the real culprits, Madame Duval and her band of conspirators, are enabled to escape and continue their preparations to accomplish the possession of Zudora's fortune. They still have the will, which is really Zudora's only title to the fabulously wealthy mine."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, February 13, 1915:

"Episode No. 12 of The 20 Million Dollar Mystery, formerly known as the Zudora series. This shows the natives at work in the Zudora mines in South Africa and pictures Superintendent Howard bringing the valuable stones to America in his valise. He visits the conspirators, and they endeavor to make away with the diamonds. Jim Baird accomplishes a deft bit of work in relieving the gang of the grip. This installment still possesses certain artificial effects, but the atmosphere of mysticism is lacking and the yarn goes ahead in a straightforward, connected manner. The number closes with both Howard and Zudora being placed in a sanitarium by the conspirators."

# # #