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McQuade of the Traffic Squad
(1915) United States of America
B&W : One reel
Directed by Eugene Nowland
Cast: Pat O’Malley [Pat McQuade], Bessie Learn [Nora Leary], Yale Benner [Officer Flynn, Pat’s rival], Dennis Ward (Denis Ward) [Captain Cole], Jessie Stevens [Nora’s mother], William Ruge (Billy Ruge) [Mike Leary, Nora’s brother]
Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated, production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / Scenario by Eugene Nowland. / Released 12 June 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Policeman Patrick McQuade, of the traffic squad, has a sweetheart. Patrick has a rival in Policeman Flynn, who does not stop at anything to depreciate Patrick in Nora’s eyes. Mike Leary, Nora’s brother, has just left to drive his employer to the theatre. Patrick arrives to keep an appointment with Nora, and has been enjoying her society only a few minutes when Flynn comes in and advises Patrick that he is wanted at the station house. Patrick leaves and is rather surprised that Flynn does not accompany him. At the station, Patrick learns that he is not wanted and realizes that Flynn has robbed him of a few hours in Nora’s company. He returns to the house and fisticuffs is prevented by the interference of Nora. In a saloon nearby Mike Leary and two crooks plan a robbery. They learn that Patrick is to be on the beat on the night in question and are at first reluctant to do the job. Mike assures them that he will get his sister out for a ride in his employer’s car, stop in front of the mansion to be entered and when the time comes whisk the burglars away in the machine with Nora. On the night in question, Nora goes out for a ride and a stop is made at the marked mansion. The burglars come out with the loot and the machine starts. Patrick follows on his motorcycle, but when he sees Nora, is loath to fire at the fleeing car and gives up pursuit. The following day, when the robbery becomes known, Patrick is suspended on a charge of neglect of duty. Mike is arrested for complicity in the burglary. Some days later Patrick overhears plans for another break, and follows the crooks. He chases them on his motorcycle, leaps from it to the running board of the automobile, and there is a hand-to-hand fight in the machine. The driver loses control in the excitement and off a pier into the river he sends the car at high speed, with the occupants frantically fighting. The men are arrested, and Patrick is lauded for his fine work. Nora is at the station visiting her brother when Patrick enters. He learns that she had nothing to do with the burglary, being drawn into the plot unconsciously, and Patrick understands.
Survival status: Print exists.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 6 July 2025.
References: Website-IMDb.
Home video: DVD.
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