Volume II: Filmography Volume II: Filmography
a.k.a. A RAID ON THE MADHOUSE
February 15, 1915 (Monday)
Length: 2 reels (Reels 25 and 26)
Notes: 1. The title, A Raid on the Mad House, and the description were registered by the Copyright Office on March 19, 1915; 27 prints of scenes from the film were deposited on March 12, 1915. 2. This episode was titled A Raid on the Madhouse (one word at title end) in a review in The Moving Picture World, February 20, 1915.
SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, February 6, 1915:
"The incarceration of Howard, the mine superintendent, and Zudora in the sanatorium, as set forth in Episode Twelve, and their subsequent release made Madame Duval still more eager to accomplish her evil ends. This the more so as it is decided to send Jim Baird to South Africa to examine the Zudora mine properties and, if possible, reclaim them for the rightful owner. But Baird has hardly left New York, before Zudora and Howard, the latter a very ill man after his rough treatment at the hands of Dr. Munn, suddenly disappear again. Tom Hunt and John Storm are at their wits' ends, and fruitlessly search everywhere for the missing pair, never suspecting that the subtle mind of Madame Duval has arranged for their imprisonment in the sanatorium again, as she realizes that this is practically the last place where Hunt and Storm would expect to find them.
"In the meantime Baird has arrived in South Africa. Nor is Bruce, Madame Duval's able lieutenant, far behind him, for a few days later he, too, reaches the mine. He does not know that Baird has recognized him and that he is watching his every move. It happens that a short time later one of the Kaffir miners unearths a sixty carat diamond - a gem of purest water as expert examination proves, and Bruce, homesick for the joys of Broadway, cables Madame Duval and Captain Radcliffe of the find, announcing that he will bring the diamond to New York in person. That night, as Bruce smokes his cigar, Baird is watching the waste-basket, where he has hidden the treasure trove. As soon as Bruce falls asleep Baird climbs in at the window, obtains the diamond, and escapes into the darkness, but not before Bruce, awaking, fires at him with a shotgun.
"Unfortunately, Bruce has recognized him, and so when Baird takes ship for New York, almost the first person he encounters on board is that worthy. Together they are fellow passengers during the long voyage. As Baird already has notified Hunt and Storm that he has the gem and knows they will meet him at the pier, he has scant fears that the band will be able to trap him. He little realizes the desperate character of Madame Duval and her aides.
"Meanwhile Storm and Hunt have been able to gain no trace of Zudora, nor the vanished Howard, and it is with downcast faces that they meet Jim Baird at the steamship dock. In the confusion, Bruce deftly snatches Baird's satchel, which contains the precious diamond, and dashes through the crowd. He springs into a taxi, which is driven by one of the gang, and dashes off at top speed. But he is not to escape so easily, for Hunt, Storm and Baird leap into another machine and start in pursuit.
"Then follows a mad race between the two machines. Soon the city is left behind and Bruce's vehicle turns into a road, which the trio behind recognize. A minute later it stops at the driveway of the sanatorium and Bruce dashes into the house. But his pursuers are too close behind to enable him to escape without a struggle, and the same thought has struck them all. Perhaps Zudora is within these wicked walls? Baird flings aside the attendants, who would stop him at the door, while Storm and Hunt force their way in through a window. Hurriedly they make a search of the building, finding Zudora and Howard imprisoned in an inner room, and while Storm carries her half-fainting form to the limousine, Baird and Hunt continue their quest for Bruce, who has disappeared in the melee. At last, however, they are compelled to acknowledge defeat. Bruce has got clean away with the diamond."
REVIEW, The Moving Picture World, February 20, 1915:
"Episode No. 13 of The 20 Million Dollar Mystery, formerly known as the Zudora series. Zudora and the mine superintendent are confined to an asylum at the beginning of the installment. Jim Baird goes to Africa and investigates conditions of the diamond mines. On his return he and John Storm combine forces to release the victims. The superintendent does this after confessing his part in a conspiracy. Zudora is rescued after a sensational raid on the institution. This number is full of action of a melodramatic sort."
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Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.