The Game (1909)
A story of love and modern business caught from that seething commercial maelstrom, the Chicago Board of Trade. Young Robert Randolph is the son of the senior member of the grain brokerage firm of Randolph & Mowbray, holding an important position as confidential secretary to his father and his father's partner. His close business association with Mowbray has brought him into contact with Ellen Mowbray, the junior partner's daughter, whom he has learned to love and is engaged to marry. The elder Randolph is sojourning at a Southern health resort when he receives an urgent telegram from Mowbray advising him to return to Chicago immediately, as a big deal, in which a million is involved, offers them an opportunity to clean up a big fortune. Randolph knows of the contemplated deal and is skeptical. He wires an answer to the effect that Mowbray shall take no action until his arrival, warning him that if they lose it means utter ruin. When he returns an argument takes place between the two partners, ending in a bitter wrangle, Randolph accusing Mowbray of recklessness, while Mowbray denounces Randolph as a coward. Robert Randolph is confident that his father is wrong and sides with Mowbray. The elder Randolph finally leaves in disgust, washing his hands of the matter Randolph goes to his home in a highly nervous state of mind, denouncing his partner as a fool, and racking his brain for some method of saving his firm. A lucky thought comes to him. In the company's safe at the office are certain securities amounting to several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Should he remove the securities Mowbray would find it impossible to attempt the deal. The older Randolph returns to the office at a late hour of the night, enters stealthily and opens the safe. The small inner compartment containing the securities is locked and to his dismay he finds that he has left his key at home. Determined to remove the securities, he pries the lock with a penknife, which he carelessly leaves on the floor at the safe. Eager to be at the scene of the big conflict, young Randolph arrives at the office the next morning at an early hour and discovers the robbery. He is about to summon the police, when he finds his father's broken penknife on the floor. He recalls the dispute of the day before, of his father's agitation, but refuses to believe his father would fall to anything criminal. He is in a quandary as what best to do when Mowbray enters. Mowbray is informed of the robbery and detectives are immediately summoned. Although Mowbray cautions silence among his clerks, it is not long before the news leaks out and the credit of the firm of Randolph & Mowbray is not worth a cent. They are completely crippled. In the meantime the elder Randolph, the securities packed in a suitcase, is half resolved to fly the country, but his conscience refuses to admit the temptation. He watches the clock nervously and sighs relievedly as it approaches the hour when the big battle is supposed to take place. Suddenly young Randolph enters. The old man starts nervously as the cold steel-blue eyes of his son turn from the suitcase and flash an accusation at him. The old man murmurs a feeble, hollow greeting, which the youth ignores. Instead he points to the suitcase and demands the return of the securities. The old man shakes his head vehemently, declaring his innocence. Young Randolph brings out the broken knife and the father drops into a chair, staggered at the accusation. Young Randolph opens the suitcase, brings out the securities and hurries out. When he returns the securities to Mowbray, in an effort to shield his father, he takes the blame himself. Mowbray orders him out. Ellen enters and is bewildered, but refuses to believe young Randolph guilty. The young fellow asks one last favor, that he may go to the pit and endeavor to aid in winning the game. Mowbray reluctantly grants it, and an hour later, grasps his hand forgivingly when the battle is won. A few minutes later the elder Randolph enters. He confesses his guilt and begs forgiveness. Mowbray grants it and takes him affectionately in his arms. Having made their million the two old men resolve to quit the business, offering young Randolph their chairs. Young Randolph refuses at first, but is finally won over by his sweetheart who promises to be at his side in the thickest of ail fights, to cheer him and guide him and make the game worth winning.
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Tom Ricketts | Director |
