The Man in the Trunk (1917)
Cissy Reginald comes to Yorke Norroy. Chief of the American Secret Service Agent, to find out what has become of her sweetheart, Carson Huntley. Norroy is anxious himself, for he has not heard from Huntley for three weeks. The valet brings a note to Norroy from Huntley which reads, "Give the bearer of the message one thousand dollars and he will explain how you can save me." The money is paid. The Mexican bearer explains that Huntley is held a prisoner by Diego Rey, the governor, who intends to keep him captive until he tells how the new noiseless machine gun is made. Diego is torturing Huntley, who carries the plans in his head, to force the secret from him. Cissy is willing to do anything for Huntley. They arrange for a troupe of girls who, with Cissy, are to dance at the Mexican theater. There Diego Rey becomes infatuated with her. She leads him on and finally invites him to her apartment for supper. Norroy gives her a pellet to put in the man's wine and a tube of ethyl chloride. She is to saturate her handkerchief with it and hold it over Diego's nose when he is unconscious from the effects of the pellet. Diego Rey arrives. Norroy is hidden behind the curtains. The Mexican is so ardent that he refuses to drink any more wine although the girl tries to force that containing the pellet upon him. He attacks her and Norroy rushes in. The two men fight. Diego Rey is soon overpowering Norroy, but the girl overcomes the Mexican by waving her handkerchief saturated with ethyl chloride before his nose. Unconscious he is tied and gagged. Yorke, disguising himself as Diego, leaves Cissy to guard the unconscious governor with a revolver and hastens to the prison in which Huntley is held. He has no trouble in gaining entrance to Huntley's cell. He finds his friend hung to the wall by handcuffs. Norroy orders the guards to release the prisoner, and as soon as they are left alone, exchanges clothes with Huntley, who hastens from the prison to Cissy's apartment. Diego Rey is put into a trunk, in which Norroy bored many air holes, and Huntley Cissy and the other girls of the troupe, with the trunk, hasten across the Mexican border. At the right time, Norroy discloses his face to the guard and demands that Pedro Gonzales, Diego's lieutenant, come to his cell. The Mexican is astounded to see Norroy, who informs him that if he wishes to see Diego Rey again he will have to rush with him across the border. Huntley and the girls stand on the American side of the border with Diego, who is guarded by an American soldier, while Gonzales, with Norroy, stand on the Mexican side. Diego and Norroy step across the line at the same time.
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| George Bronson Howard | Director |
| George Bronson Howard | Writer |
| Kingsley Benedict | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Kingsley Benedict | |
| Roberta Wilson | |
| Jay Belasco | |
| Harry Mann |
