The Lesson of the Flames (1914)
The willful Olive had fled from her first benefactress, Madame Forresti, and had been dismissed as Mrs. March's maid. Being desperately in need, she seeks and finds employment in a hat trimming loft, where she discovers a thoughtful friend in one of the workers, Becky Gordon, Becky's constant fear is that a fire might break out any moment, and she shows Olive how the building is only a trap. Olive learns from the superintendent of the place that Vance Coleman is the owner. Olive writes him an anonymous letter, begging him to see to it that adequate fire provision be made. The superintendent is notified by Vance to attend to it that improvements be immediately begun, and is given a check that will cover all expenses. The superintendent sees an opportunity to manage a bit of graft, and purchases worn-out hose and worthless fire extinguishers. A roll of crisp bills slipped into the fire-inspector's hand secures his official approval of the equipment. A week barely passed, when a pile of flimsy material catches fire from a hot iron. The flames spread quickly, the decayed fire hose bursts, the fire escapes collapse under the weight of fleeing workers, and Greed again laughs in his sleeve over the petty cost of life. Olive and Becky find themselves trapped. There's only one chance in a thousand to save them. But Vance takes and wins that chance, and certain heartless owners of unsafe factories, among the onlookers, wager that Vance hasn't the muscle to reach the top window.
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Domestic
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Worldwide
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Richard Ridgely | Director |
| Nancy Mann Waddel Woodrow | Writer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Mabel Trunnelle | |
| Edward Earle | |
| William Bechtel | |
| Charles Sutton |
