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Through the Dark
(1914) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by John G. Adolfi
Cast: Francelia Billington [Anne], Billie West [May], Sam de Grasse [James, Anne’s husband], Eugene Pallette [Kane, the crook]
Reliance Motion Picture Corporation production; distributed by Mutual Film Corporation. / Scenario by M.B. Havey (Maie B. Havey) and Russell E. Smith. / Released 29 August 1914. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Anne and May, two sisters, work in a jewelry store. May borrows a necklace from the store to wear at a dance, intending to replace it early next day. But in the morning she is late. The necklace is found to be missing, and to avoid discovery, May hides the jewelry in Anne’s coat. Silent through fear, May sees her sister arrested and sent to prison. On her release, Anne is bounded by Kane, a fellow prisoner. She escapes to a distant town where she eventually marries. Kane turns up, blackmails her, and reveals to her husband her prison record. May, who is living in the same city, married and happy, save for the torturing thought of her sister’s punishment for her guilt, learns of the situation. She confesses the truth to Anne’s husband.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 12 September 1914, page ?] This two-reel story begins with two girls clerking in a jewelry store. One borrows a valuable necklace to wear at a ball and throws the blame on the other. The latter serves a term in Sing Sing, is released and later hounded by a prison acquaintance. The first girl finally confesses, after both are married, in order to save her friend from the blackmailer. This is well acted and carefully constructed throughout. The worst fault of the picture is its rather sordid motive, which does not leave a feeling of satisfaction with the observer, who feels that the friend’s repentance came rather late.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 15 November 2022.
References: Website-IMDb.
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