Mary Pickford in a 10-minute heist gone wrong? The 1910s were WILD.
A lost film. Henry Jenkins, just released from prison visits his old confederate in crime, Basil King, who is living in affluence. King is not overjoyed to see him, but Jenkins comes just in time as King's butler has left and he is about to entertain lavishly. King loves Elsie Graham, who has given her heart to Ralph Webster and both are guests at the reception. Ralph takes advantage of an opportunity and asks Elsie to marry him and she consents. He has forgotten the ring and announces he will leave the party to get it. King cannot resist the temptation to steal an expensive neckless from one of the guests but the act is noted by Jenkins. The loss is discovered and suspicion falls upon Ralph, who had just left the party.
Acting
Mary Pickford's pre-'America's Sweetheart' screen presence already magnetic.
Direction
Thomas H. Ince crams a feature's worth of melodrama into 10 minutes.
Director
Thomas H. Ince
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This is one of approximately 75% of all silent films considered lost—surviving only through plot descriptions in trade papers.
Thomas H. Ince pioneered the 'factory system' of filmmaking at Inceville, essentially inventing the modern producer role; this efficient 10-minute moral tale exemplifies his assembly-line storytelling.
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