Volume II: Filmography

Episode 3 .

THE MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY

THE SAFE IN THE LONELY WAREHOUSE

advertising Herald for The Million Dollar Mystery Episode 3 (Episode_3)

July 6, 1914 (Monday)

Length: 2 reels (reels 5 and 6)

Note: When 27 prints of scenes from this episode were deposited with the Copyright Office on June 9, 1914, the title was given as A Leap in the Dark. However, it is believed that this title was never used during the release of the episode. It was used as an alternate title for Episode 9.

ARTICLE, Reel Life, July 11, 1914:

"In these days of fidelity to the facts, it is proper, even compulsory, in fairness, to call attention to The Million Dollar Mystery. Director Hansel, during the filming of The Mystery, sought to secure the most striking outdoor locations possible for his action, and the escape of two members of the Black Hundred at the end of Part Two of Episode Two was staged on the Jersey shore of the Hudson River with Grant's Tomb, Riverside Drive, the magnificent apartment houses fronting the river, the docks, and river traffic of the great city showing clearly in the distance.

"In the landing of Hargreave from the steamer which picked him up 300 miles out at sea, one of the great West Street piers was used as a background for the scene. Steamship officials cooperated with President Hite of the Thanhouser Film Corporation in securing a wonderful interior picture of a great covered freight dock with thousands of workmen unloading a trans-Atlantic liner's cargo. Auto trucks flash about in the picture, while huge cranes lift tons of freight from the vessel's hold to the pier. In the midst of it all the action of The Million Dollar Mystery proceeds without interruption.

"In Part One of Episode Three an ocean liner, especially engaged for the occasion, is used for the consultations between its bonafide captain and Norton, and again between the captain and Countess Olga, who visits the ship, disguised as Florence Gray. In Part Two of Episode Three realism is achieved by photographing the robbery of the wharf office safe in the gloomy interior of a real steamship freight office.

"Part Two of Episode Three also contains the famous Charity Ball scene in which 120 Thanhouser actors and actresses appear. The set was designed especially for the occasion. Countess Olga and Braine are seen among the dancers. This scene should make an especial appeal to dance lovers, as several professional dancers were engaged, and the new steps are splendidly exhibited."

SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, July 4, 1914:

"In Episode Three, Part One, it is shown how the Black Hundred learns, through the daily papers, that Hargreave, after drifting 300 miles out to sea, has been picked up while swimming about the wreck of the balloon in which he escaped from the House of Mystery.

"When Hargreave lands at the dock newspapermen try to interview him but he escapes in the crowd. Norton, knowing that the conspirators believe that Hargreave has his fortune upon his person, lays a trap for them. By judiciously tipping the watchman of the wharf where the ship which landed Hargreave is moored, Norton misleads Countess Olga into believing that Hargreave's wealth is in a safe in the wharf office.

"The Countess hurries at once to the Charity Ball, where she meets Braine and tells him what she has learned. Braine collects a dozen gangsters in an East Side saloon and creeps up to the wharf office, intent upon cracking the safe and removing the treasure chest which he believes is within. Norton posts a dozen patrolmen behind barrels near the office door. The gangsters are captured while at work, but Braine, whom Norton wished most to catch, jumps into the river and swims away in the darkness.

"In reviewing The Million Dollar Mystery it would be unfair not to speak of the fidelity to detail and truth which characterizes the serial. There is an utter disregard of expense which makes The Mystery a wonderful film. President Hite has insisted that in this, his masterpiece, only genuine locations shall be filmed. And Director Hansel has carried out his chief's instructions to the letter. It is not an inexpensive matter casually to introduce plunging balloons and giant ocean liners into a film, but whenever script has called for effect President Hite has given carte blanche orders to Director Hansel to 'follow copy' to the letter. And yet, after all the wonders of the early reels, we are told that the most exciting features are still to come!"

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