The House of Darkness (1914)
The last guardian of the wealth of the aristocratic Gresham family dies, leaving no one but his granddaughter Ruth and faithful family servant Wicks to remain in the isolated old mansion. The family's immense wealth lies concealed in a secret treasure room, reached by a hidden stairway. Gresham's will appoints John and Henry Collins, brothers of a law firm, to be the trustees and guardians of Ruth, who is to inherit the fortune when she comes of age. When the brothers have secured a glimpse of the treasure, its fascination overpowers them. They secretly plot to obtain possession of it. In their avarice, they neglect their business, which goes to ruin. Both move to the mansion to be near the wealth. Ruth, neglected and mistreated, is cared for only by the kind old butler, who has always looked upon the brothers with suspicion. Finally the brothers begin to suspect each other of appropriating the treasure. Mutual distrust soon breeds enmity. There is a quarrel and Henry leaves the mansion. He leaves behind a note on the mansion gate reading: "Beware, I shall return." This is found by John, who henceforth lives in constant terror lest the brother appear and kill him. Years later John a crabbed, miserly wretch; he refuses to allow either Ruth or Wicks near the treasure chamber. Ruth has blossomed into young womanhood, but through the stern decree of her irascible guardian seldom ventures beyond the confines of the estate. Finally John is stricken with heart trouble. Philip D'Arcy, a young physician, is called. Much against John's will, Philip decides to stay in the mansion until his patient has passed the danger mark. Gradually Philip begins to love Ruth. At the same time he is trying to solve the mystery surrounding the hidden wealth. Henry, the other brother, now a ragged wanderer, puts in an appearance. During Ruth and Philip's absence, Henry gains entrance into the mansion after struggling with Wicks and knocking him unconscious. A moment later John, in bed, sees Henry bending over him. Henry secures the keys to the treasure room and creeps down the stairway. John follows. A fierce fight between the gold-crazed brothers takes place. John presses a concealed button and precipitates Henry into a dungeon. Then John discovers the mansion has been set afire by a lantern which Henry had hurled at him. Philip, Ruth, and the villagers have now discovered the fire. Philip enters the mansion to try to rescue John. Ruth follows. Meanwhile John, groping in the smoke-filled treasure room, has fallen into the dungeon and lies dead, with Henry at the bottom of it. Philip is unable to find John and fights his way back through the flames to find that both Ruth and himself are trapped. After a struggle he carries Ruth to safety just as the mansion walls collapse. Wicks, the butler, is been resuscitated by villagers. Ruth, now convinced of Philip's bravery and love, consents to be his wife.
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| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Shannon Fife | Writer |
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| John Smiley | |
| Joseph W. Smiley | |
| William H. Turner | |
| Justina Huff |
