Volume II: Filmography

THE FIFTH ACE

March 22, 1916 (Wednesday)

Length: 2 reels

Character: Society drama

Director: William Parke

Scenario: Clinton H. Stagg

Cast: Alice Lake (the girl), Wayne Arey (her fiancé), J.H. Gilmour (her father), Hector Dion (gambler), Yale Benner (dupe)

Note: This film marked the first Thanhouser film appearance of Alice Lake, who earlier was a stage performer, and an actress on the screen with other companies. Reel Life, in its March 18, 1916 issue, overlooked the earlier film connection: "Alice Lake, one of the most charming young women in professional life, makes her debut to Mutual followers in The Fifth Ace, a two-part Thanhouser drama. Miss Lake came to the New Rochelle studios direct from the stage, where, despite her tender years, she won the universal approval of critics and theatregoers."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, March 18, 1916:

"Fiction has given us a character that never fails to interest us, although our better nature knows that his calling is not one to be desired. This character is none other than the polished, suave, gentlemanly gambler who fleeces his innocent victims in such a finished manner that our sympathies are almost wholly with him instead of with his gullible prey. Such a gambler is the protagonist in the Thanhouser-Mutual two part modern drama, The Fifth Ace, in which Alice Lake, charming, etc., makes her debut as a Mutual player.

"Tired of obtaining money through cheating at cards, Sam Kendall, the story reveals, plans to marry the daughter of a wealthy banker. Kendall, by devious means, obtains an invitation to a house party given by the banker. He finds that the girl is already in love with a young business man, also a guest. Kendall plans to discredit the suitor in the eyes of his sweetheart. During a poker game the gambler substitutes a deck of cards with five aces while his rival is dealing, making it appear that he had cheated. The father, believing him guilty, orders him to leave the house. The disheartened lover steals from the house during the night. The gambler receives a message that the police are on his trail and decides to flee but plans to rob the safe before leaving. He is caught in the act and manages to escape to the station, where he meets the man he has wronged. A fight ensues and members of the house party who gave chase come upon the two men and overpower the gambler, who is found to have jewels in his possession taken from the safe. The loyal lover is exonerated of the false charge and happiness comes to him and the young girl who believes in him. Hector Dion makes a debonair dashing villain. Wayne Arey is excellent as the suitor and Alice Lake is delightful as the banker's daughter."

REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, April 1, 1916:

"A two-reel number by Clinton H. Stagg, featuring Alice Lake, Wayne Arey, and others. This pictures the way a card sharp breaks into a house party and throws suspicion on the hero. The card game is well put on. Later the crook tries to get away with a valuable necklace and the hero turns tables on him. This is well constructed and holds the interest closely throughout."

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