Chanler Rao, Criminal Expert (1914)
Suffering from an obstruction in his throat, Chanler Rao, an Oriental hypnotist and magician, calls with his son on Dr. Warren Browne. For the doctor's entertainment, Rao produces a full-grown plant from an apparently empty flower-pot. The doctor is interested, but skeptical. He then performs a small operation on the magician's throat and removes the obstruction. He refuses payment and Rao thanks him profusely. The doctor discovers the plant they left behind is artificial. He laughs and decides Rao is a clever fakir. Mrs. Thornton, Dr. Browne's sister, is showing her week-end guests a magnificent cluster ring, when she is called outside suddenly and in her haste, drops the ring which mysteriously disappears. Mrs. Thornton telegraphs for Dr. Warren. As the doctor is leaving, Rao arrives for his throat treatment. His pad exhausted, the doctor hastily writes Rao's prescription on the back of his sister's telegram. The magician discovers Mrs. Thornton's message and answers it, saying he will recover the ring. Mrs. Thornton, puzzled to know how Rao learned of the affair, has faith in the magician, but the doctor thinks of the plant trick and, smiling cynically, sends for Chanler Rao. As soon as Rao arrives he quietly tells the doctor to have a policeman there at 6 o'clock sharp. After a preliminary exhibition, Rao, gazing into his crystal, impressively announces, "In this hall, it points straight over there and an officer is on his way here." Everyone is intensely interested, and when the policeman rings the bell, all are startled. Chanler then places a small capsule in the mouth of each servant, collects them again and drops them in a crucible. When the fifth is dropped, there is an explosion. Chanler points accusingly at the butler, saying, "That is the guilty one." The butler confesses and Mrs. Thornton recovers her ring. Chanler has paid his debt of gratitude. Chanler later tells the doctor, "The capsules absorb moisture. Fear parches the tongue of the guilty one and the capsule stays dry in his mouth, exploding in the crucible mixture." He also tells how he learned of the theft and leaves the doctor saying to himself, "Well, what do you think of that?"
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Ned Finley | Director |
| Brinsley Moore | Writer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Ned Finley | |
| Ada Gifford | |
| Robert Huggins | |
| Charles Wellesley |
