Volume II: Filmography

OUT OF THE DARK

Advertisement from The Moving Picture World, June 29, 1912. (F-480).

July 2, 1912 (Tuesday)

Length: 1 reel

Character: Drama; "Heart interest special"

SYNOPSIS, The Moving Picture World, June 29, 1912:

"A young lawyer receives word from abroad that a package of jewels valued at $20,000, which has figured in a lawsuit, has been shipped in from Europe, to be held for a client. He meets the steamer, receives the valuables, and starts with them to a bank, meaning to place them in the vaults. He has forgotten that it is Saturday, and a half holiday, and the result is that he discovers that he must keep the custody of the gems over Sunday. This does not worry him, for he has a safe in his own home, and he does not dream that anyone knows of the treasure in his possession. The fact is, however, that the messenger has been trailed from Europe by a celebrated crook, who vainly seeks a chance to annex the valuables. He witnesses the transfer, and follows the lawyer, and is pleased to note that he takes the jewels home with him.

"Late that evening the lawyer receives a telephone message that his father, who lives many miles away is seriously ill, and hurries off to see him. Until he reaches the house he does not realize that he has been tricked, and then he hastens home again, full of gloomy forebodings. In the meantime, the lawyer's wife, who has gone to bed, suddenly awakes with a start. She imagines that someone is trying to get into the house, and, fearful for the security of the jewels, slips downstairs to investigate. The lower hallway is in darkness, except for a dim light from the street. The doors have glass panels, and as the woman watches, one of them falls inward, and a hand appears and feels cautiously for the knob. It is a lonely neighborhood, and the woman does not dare to call for help, her one impulse being to hide the jewels. She rushes into the room, hurriedly opens the safe, takes the packet and hides it in a crevice at the top of the mantle piece. As she turns to flee the burglar enters. There is a struggle and a scream, which fortunately brings help. The criminal is captured, but the shock has driven the woman mad. She remembers nothing; can tell nothing. It is clear to the police that the burglar has been successful, for there is the open safe and the jewels have vanished. Undoubtedly his pal escaped with the booty, they figure.

"The lawyer finds that he is held responsible for the loss of the gems, which cripples him financially. Besides he has no hope that his wife will ever regain her senses. Yet in the hour of his deepest despair, happiness re-enters his life. While looking over some papers in the safe one night he is called to the 'phone. His maniac wife watches him curiously, and a troubled frown comes over her face. Her reflection deepens as he goes out, and she starts upstairs to bed. Some recollection is trying to be expressed. Again she awakens with a start. Again she steals downstairs, and gazes with terror as the pain of glass is broken, and a hand is stealthily stretched through the opening. She remembers the jewels, and thinks they must be protected. Gliding into the library, she opens the safe, and takes out a package of papers and hides them where the other bundle is. Then as the lights are turned on, she falls fainting into her husband's arms, her mind and his honor restored. 'It was the kind hand of Providence that caused me to forget my keys,' the husband said later, 'I had to break in the door, and the sight of my hand as shown in the moonlight was what restored memory to my wife.'"

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