The Downfall of Potts (1915)
Detective Potts is the star detective on the force and as such is a welcome suitor for the hand of the commissioner's daughter. The young detective joins the force. He is made the butt of all jokes, and the star detective disdains to even look upon him. The daughter falls for the new man. But they have a road hard to travel with the opposition of both the commissioner and the star detective. Both realize that matters cannot go on as they are, so they decide on drastic measures. They arrange to have a fake kidnapping with Eddie to pull the hero stuff. The matter is all arranged. The girl goes to visit her father, after writing him a note telling him that unless he comes across with some money his daughter will be kidnapped. Her father shows her the note and makes it a joke. The girl pretends to be afraid but is reassured by her father, who tells her that such a thing cannot happen with Potts on the job. The girl then goes to her chum's dad on the 'phone and tells him that she has been kidnapped. When dad hears a muffled scream come over the wire, which is caused by the chum holding her hand over Vic's mouth, he is frantic. Potts is put on the job and combs the town but without avail. Eddie pleads to be put on the case, but gets nothing but sneers. He calls the girl up and tells her the plan is working smoothly but he can't seem to get on the case. They plan another coup. The girl writes another note to Potts telling him to go to a deserted house near the railroad and await developments. He has a clue at last and departs stealthily. He finds the house all right and sits down at the door, gun in hand, to await developments. Meanwhile the girl has been taken to the house and put in an inside room, tied to a chair and left. The young detective at last gets on the case and. after making the rounds, comes back and tells the commissioner his daughter has been kidnapped by the star detective. They laugh at him when he tells them he will prove it. He takes the commissioner to the house and tells him to peer in at the window. They see the girl inside tied. At the front, as if on guard, sits Potts, "waiting developments." He is denounced and his star taken off. Meanwhile the young detective has released the girl and they are inwardly shaking with laughter at the success of the plan. As the picture fades, the young detective has risen to be the star and with the old man's backing things look bright for an early marriage.
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Domestic
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International
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Worldwide
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GenresComedy
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Al Christie | Director |
| Bennett Cohen | Writer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Eddie Lyons | |
| Lee Moran | |
| Victoria Forde | |
| Harry L. Rattenberry |
