Volume II: Filmography

Episode 14

THE TWENTY MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY

THE MISSING MILLION

a.k.a. THE MISSING MILLIONS

February 22, 1915 (Monday)

Length: 2 reels (Reels 27 and 28)

Notes: 1. Under title of The Missing Millions, a copyright was issued for this episode on March 19, 1915. Twenty-eight prints of scenes were deposited in the Copyright Office on March 12, 1915. 2. In several contemporary notices The Missing Million was given as the title of Episode 14 of The Twenty Million Dollar Mystery (Zudora in retitled form), which was released on the same day as the 23rd and last episode of The Million Dollar Mystery. Such a citation appears in Reel Life, issue of February 13, 1915, for example. However, the title, The Missing Million, has nothing at all to do with the synopsis of Episode 14 of Zudora. It is not known whether this was an error, or whether under the general title of The Missing Million, Episode 23 of The Million Dollar Mystery and Episode 14 of Zudora were presented at the same time. In the present text, The Missing Million is given both as the title to Episode 23 of The Million Dollar Mystery, to which it seems to pertain, and to Episode 14 of Zudora, to which it has no logical relationship. However, as stated under Note 1, the title was registered as The Missing Millions (plural) in the Copyright office. 3. In the serialization of the story in The New York Globe and Commercial Advertiser, the title was given as The Missing Millions.

ARTICLE, The Morning Telegraph, February 21, 1915:

"James Cruze and Frank Farrington narrowly escaped injury last week when Director Howell Hansel was taking the fourteenth episode of The Twenty Million Dollar Mystery, the latest Thanhouser-Mutual serial. It was up at Ramapo Falls. The thin ice covered waters seemed to be perfect as the setting for a sensational scene. They were. As a result Mr. Cruze is wearing his left hand in a bandage and Mr. Farrington is nursing a bruised knee."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, February 13, 1915:

"The death of Henry Howard, the African mine superintendent, due to his ill-treatment at the hands of Dr. Munn and his hirelings, when he was just on the eve of a confession which would have exposed the machinations of Madame Duval and her band, was a serious setback to the plans of Zudora's supporters. For some weeks everything is quiet. Then, through a clever ruse Madame Duval directs the attention of Tom Hunt, the detective, to the Zudora mine property in the West. Taking Jim Baird with him Hunt hastens to investigate the clue, while John Storm, Zudora's sweetheart and her attorney, writes a letter to a certain Marcus Villiers, a wealthy mine owner, asking for information about Zudora's father's will and also whether Mr. Villiers has any papers belonging to him.

"Meanwhile Madame Duval, who is untiring in her efforts to prevent the vast Zudora properties from leaving her possession, determines on a daring plan. It is nothing less than to masquerade as Zudora. Learning from her agents that Marcus Villiers is expected in New York, with papers relating to the ownership of the Zudora mine, at Captain Radcliffe's suggestion she invites him to be her guest at a big dinner party. Posing as Zudora she hopes to gain information from him, that will enable her to get absolute control of the coveted mines.

"While they are waiting for the Western capitalist's arrival, another member of the band reaches New York. It is Bruce, who has made a hurried trip to South Africa to get possession of certain gems, which he had left behind on his previous visit. Madame Duval is anxiously awaiting him and more particularly the treasure that he brings. Bruce saunters nonchalantly down the gang plank smoking a huge calabash pipe, although he knows that he is an object of suspicion by the customs officials. In his debonair fashion, he airily invites them to inspect his baggage thoroughly, which they pass after a painstaking search. It never occurs to them that under the tobacco Bruce is smoking with such evident relish, diamonds of immense value are concealed.

"In the meantime Captain Radcliffe, disguised, has gone West. It is he who has instigated the plot against Hunt and Baird, and he goes to see that his plans are brought to a successful issue. Thus it happens, when the two champions of Zudora's cause arrive, the trap for their reception is ready and set. The chauffeur of the superintendent of the Zudora mine is in the pay of the conspirators, and when the two get into his car, they do not realize that they are being led into as desperate an adventure as any they have ever experienced.

"Following his instructions, the chauffeur drives them to a deserted mine, where a number of the band, who have accompanied Captain Radcliffe, set upon them. There is a terrific struggle, but the superior fistic talent of Baird and Hunt enables them to escape, although badly mauled, and return to the railroad station. There, after a consultation, they decide that their trip West has been in vain and they hurriedly return to New York, where they realize there is urgent need for their presence.

"Arriving there, Hunt learns from one of his men that Bruce has reached the metropolis and also that the capitalist, Villiers, has arrived. They do not know, however, that the latter has received a dinner invitation from Madame Duval, signed 'Zudora,' and that he has accepted it. Bruce's trail leads them to the old garage used by the conspirators as a secret entrance to Madame Duval's mansion, and here they take up their posts to await developments.

"It happens that their arrival is most opportune. Zudora has received a note to which Madame Duval has forged Villier's name, asserting that he is a prisoner at 122 Riggs street, the address of the garage, but is still in possession of the precious papers. As a matter of fact Villiers is just then enjoying the hospitality of Madame Duval, posing as Zudora. Zudora and Storm set out for the garage.

"Tom Hunt and Baird observe two burly ruffians lurking in the shadows of the garage. They are preparing to attack them, when, all of a sudden, the men disappear within. Their disappearance is followed an instant later by a woman's screams. Running to the door, Baird and Hunt find that the precious pair have attacked Storm and Zudora. Their advent compels the conspirators to turn and battle for their own lives, while Storm carries Zudora out to safety."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, March 6, 1915:

"The Missing Millions - Episode No. 14 of the Twenty Million Dollar Mystery. Storm is first shown trying to locate the Zudora gold mine in Montana. Madame Duval invites a number of guests to a reception at which she assumes the name of Zudora. The reception scenes are very attractive, as are also the snowstorm scenes somewhat earlier. The snow pictures were exceptional. The action is somewhat confused, but interesting nevertheless. The installment closes with a raid on the reception. This is the best number of this series shown for some time."

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