|
A Life Chase
(1916) United States of America
B&W : Short film
Directed by Travers Vale
Cast: Franklin Ritchie [Bouval, the banker], Louise Vale [Madame Bouval], José Ruben, Jack Drumier
Biograph Company production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Released 19 January 1916. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Bouval, the banker, cancels a theater engagement with his wife and their good friend, Vaubert, because of business. Vaubert accompanies Madame Bouval to the matinee. As they leave the house they meet Bertrand Alvimar, who comes to keep a business appointment with Bouval, A beggar, Meloit by name, asks alms and is refused. Returning from the theater, Vaubert and his companion find Bouval murdered in his study. In his dead hand is clutched a torn sheet of paper, on which the banker had striven unsuccessfully to write the name of his murderer. Vaubert’s suspicions leap to Alvimar and the latter is arrested. After questioning him closely the prefect of police orders Alvimar’s release, and to the indignant Vaubert explains: “There is not sufficient evidence to hold him for murder.” Vaubert learns that Alvimar frequents a gambling-house, follows him there, and scrapes acquaintance with him. Later he introduces Alvimar to Madame Bouval, whom he has persuaded to help him in fastening guilt upon the murderer. The banker’s widow assumes the name of Mme. Corbini and pretends to be Vaubert’s cousin. At Vaubert’s bidding she piles her arts to make Alvimar fall in love with her, and succeeds. But neither has reckoned with the possibility that Amy Bouval may fall in love with her victim. When this happens, Vaubert is enraged. He is pondering what to do when word comes from the police that the murderer has been caught and has confessed the crime. Incredulous, Vaubert goes to headquarters and is told that the prisoner is Meloit, the beggar, who, arrested for drunkenness, has been put through the third degree until he confessed the crime. But on becoming sober the beggar recants his confession. Vaubert, triumphant, goes to Amy’s hotel and finds her in Alvimar’s arms. Drawing her aside, he reminds her that Alvimar does not know her real name and demands that she reveal her identity. On hearing that the woman he loves is Madame Bouval, Alvimar turns pale. Vaubert confronts him suddenly with the dagger-like paper cutter that drew Bouval’s lifeblood, and Alvimar, confessing the crime, kills himself with the knife.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 22 December 2024.
References: Spehr-American p. 2 : Website-IMDb.
|
