The Speedway of Despair (1914)
Geo. Seymour attempts to keep up the pace of a large city and is lured into speculation. He is employed as a confidential clerk by John Gable, and as his habits are constantly calling for money, he soon finds himself dangerously involved, having appropriated small amounts from time to time from his employer. Seeking to escape, he happens to think of Jim Predmore, a boyhood friend, to whom he writes a letter offering a position in the same office, thinking that he may transfer some of his own speculations to the shoulders of his friend. Jim, joyous over the prospect of seeing a big city, leaves his fond mother and his sweetheart, Kitty Blair, and goes to the city. He soon gets busy in the big office, and, going conscientiously to work over day books and ledgers, soon finds figures which arouse his suspicion, but George, hiding his own guilt, finally explains the matter to Jim's satisfaction. Panic-stricken, George observes he must get busy at once if he wishes to save his own precious neck. He goes back to the office after nightfall, "doctors" Jim's ledger so that suspicion will rest upon him, and takes more money from the cash box. The next morning Jim comes in a few moments late and finds the office in commotion. George accuses Jim in a strong scene, and later, unable to exonerate himself, is arrested on circumstantial evidence and is sentenced to serve ten years. During this interim, the perfidious friend, George Seymour, has accumulated wealth, married, and is living at home with his wife and four-year-old daughter, George, returning after eight year, broken in spirit, takes to the speedway of despair, and drifts a derelict among the chief drinking houses. He finally works himself into a great desire to kill Seymour. The letter's daughter has an unfortunate habit of sleep-walking. One night she unlatches the French window and walks out into the garden just as Jim, who has crawled up with his gun in hand on his deadly mission, encounters her. He is startled to see the little, white-gowned figure walk out into the moonlight in her bare feet. He is on his knees, and the child, in a drowsy wonder, places her arms about his neck. Kitty, his old sweetheart, who has come from the country to take charge of the little girl, recognizes the man and brings him immediately to a sense of his better self. He escapes from the premeditated murder, and throwing aside dead hope, re-kindles the fires and better desires and takes up the future by Kitty's side.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Hardee Kirkland | Director |
| Maibelle Heikes Justice | Writer |
| William Nicholas Selig | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| William Stowell | |
| Harry Lonsdale | |
| Edwin Wallock | |
| Madeline Post |
