By Whose Hand (1914)
Roger Van Allen, last of an old aristocratic family, finds himself in his old age poverty stricken with a son, both of whom are zealously looked after by Thompson, an old retainer. The son, Kempton, has had his fling and his father's troubles and his love for Mildred Hastings, daughter of a beef baron, sobers him and he defies the tradition of the family by proposing to go to work, and the two young people get married. Kempton refuses to be aided financially by Mildred and instead takes advantage of the offer of aid from the old retainer who gives him liberally of his savings. Meanwhile, Halstead, a gambler, has secured notes given by Kempton for some poker debts and he uses them to blackmail Van Allen, whom he still believes to be rich. This act causes Van Allen in his rage to threaten Halstead's life. Halstead threatens the young couple with exposure and Kempton, in great anger, tells Halstead he will kill him if he meddles in his affairs. The sheriff overhears that both father and son have threatened Halstead's life. He cautions Kempton, but the latter laughs. As his father is greatly wrought up over the affair, he has Mildred go home and come back that evening, when they will face it out. Halstead gets to the old man first, thinking his new weapon will force Van Allen's hand. Thompson keeps peace in the house by preventing Kempton from injuring Halstead, and Van Allen surprises them all by telling Halstead that he is in perfect harmony with his son in the matter of his marriage. Halstead tells them he will be back later, and that it they haven't decided upon immediate payment he will besmirch the Van Allen escutcheon. Thompson in great anger sees the blackmailer to the door. That night Mildred coming over to the Van Allen home finds the dead body of Halstead on the grounds with an old weapon taken from the walls of the Van Allen living room. Her scream is overheard in the home, and the already-taut nerves of father and son strain near to breaking. The sheriff and two men have also heard the scream and find Mildred with the dead man trying to hide the knife. She fearing the son committed the deed, tries to defend him by taking the blame herself, but the sheriff realizes she is trying to shield someone else. The sheriff does not notice, however, that the father thinks the son did it and the son thinks the father the criminal. Later that night, disguised as the dead man, the sheriff enters the living room. Both father and son face the apparition and turn to sec the other break down and confess. Instead of that the butler is the one to beg for mercy. Death, however, spares the state from taking a life for a life.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| George Terwilliger | Director |
| George Terwilliger | Writer |
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Kempton Greene | |
| Mary Keane | |
| Earl Metcalfe | |
| Herbert Fortier |
