Suspense - 1913

Country: United States

Language: English

Directors: Phillips Smalley, Lois Weber

Writer: Lois Weber (scenario)

Stars: Lois Weber, Val Paul and Douglas Gerrard

Release Date: 6 July 1913 (USA)

Production Co: Rex Motion Picture Company

Sound Mix: Silent

Color: Black and White

Plot Keywords: Tramp | Rescue | Key Under The Mat | Rescue Of Child | Keyhole  |Damsel In Distress | Car Chase | Title Directed By Female | Burglary | Suspense | Chase |

Split Screen Telephone Call

Genres: Short | Drama | Thriller

An isolated house in deserted area is too remote for a servant, who leaves a note, quietly exits the back door, and puts the key under the mat. Alone in the house is a mother and her infant. A tramp watches the servant leave, then begins to skulk. The woman sees him outside as he discovers the latchkey. She phones her husband, who's working in town, and he jumps into a car idling in front of his office. He races toward home while the car's owner (and the police) are in pursuit. The tramp grabs a knife and heads up the stairs toward the defenseless woman. Can the husband elude the police long enough to rescue her or will the tramp have his way?

Trivia

A Print survives in the National Film Archives, in London.

Memorable quotes

The Husband: [on the phone with the Wife] I won't be home until late. Will you be all right?

The Wife: [looks out the window] A tramp is prowling around the house!

The Wife: [on the phone with her husband, telling him about the tramp] Now he is opening the kitchen door. Now he is in the...

[the tramp saws through the phone wire]

Connections

Featured in Hollywood: Pioneers Clips of the film are shown; Hollywood 100 Years at the Movies brief clip shown; The Story of Film: An Odyssey: Episode #1.1 Clips shown

Referenced in Hollywood: Pioneers The film is discussed.