|
[The Wolf’s Prey]
Also known as The Wolf’s Prey in the USA
(1914) [?] France or Italy?
B&W : Three reels
Directed by (unknown)
Cast: (unknown)
Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The film was released in the USA as The Wolf’s Prey by Features Ideal, Incorporated, through United Film Service on 30 November 1914.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Estelle Barclay was a past mistress of the art of “using” men. She did not draw the line at Morton, in spite of the fact that he was a valuable ally in her various operations concerned with the mulcting of men dazzled by her charms. But Morton did not suspect what, was going on in the inner chambers of that crafty head of hers, until Count Ermond called on her. It was well enough for Estelle to “kid him along” and “get” all she could, he himself shared in the spoils, as a faithful confederate and “steerer.” To allow him to visit her in the privacy of her apartment, however, did not suit him at all. Fact is, he liked Estelle far too much for that. Morton was jealous. Estelle saw it the moment they met after the count’s departure. She needed Morton’s assistance. He must not know that the count had lost his head to the extent of offering to marry her, nor that she was not such a fool as to overlook such a chance to revel in his wealth. Morton thought he was dealing a master blow at any lingering affection she might cherish for the titled victim when he told her of the existence of a wife and child. The sudden pallor that overspread her features he counted as proof of this theory. But Estelle paled only because of the obstacle the presence of these two, mother and child, presented in her scheme of things. The one could be eliminated by divorce, but the child, an heir to the Ermond fortune? That would never do. For she and Morton had planned a master coup. Ermond was to die, mysteriously assassinated, after she had gotten her clutches on his fortune and evidence of sufficiently strong fiber to prove her mistress and heir. So, after she had allayed the jealous Morton’s forebodings, she impressed on him the necessity of the child’s removal. Morton found the job not so easy, for the count had not taken his wife to the big embassy ball, a circumstance he had counted on. He did not suspect that the count had gone with Estelle, for Estelle had not told him. It was not a part of Estelle’s scheme to do so. For that night the count was to be assassinated according to the original arrangement of which he knew, and Estelle was there, if possible, to save him. She had desire rather to have him live, for he would be useful in introducing her into a mighty promising set, should future exercise of her guile be necessary. The baby having been given into the hands of a seaman to dispose of, the count having been only slightly wounded and consequently having extended her future opportunity to “play her game” while tenderly nursing him, Estelle was very well satisfied. Only the obnoxious Morton was the one dissonant note in her happiness. So, as soon as he was able to be moved, she went away with the count and married him. Morton wandered up to the box office and bought a stall at the Circus Renz. It was twelve years since he had seen Estelle. Since that day his predatory record had well made up the difference represented by Estelle’s withdrawal from “deeds that are dark and crimes that are rare.” He had come to be known as The Wolf. The Wolf discovered new prey at the circus. As the victim-to-be selected Germaine, the equestrienne. His object was merely sport, so he counted on an easy enlistment of interest. But Germaine sent his card and gift back with a brief note, “Germaine accepts neither gifts nor invitations.” That night, by hoodwinking the driver of Germaine’s taxi, he was able to secrete himself in its depths. Germaine did not see him as she entered. When she recovered from the stupor of the anesthesia later she was in Morton’s bedroom. Gruber, the circus manager, anxious over Germaine’s non-appearance at her hotel, whither he and Germaine’s intended, a handsome circus rider had gone to celebrate Germaine’s engagement to the horseman at a little intimate supper, traced her to Morton’s apartments. As he broke down the door and rescued Germaine, Morton recognized him as the sailor whom he had instructed to kill the baby. He was about to gloat over his discovery and make it serve him to free himself from his predicament, when Gruber also recognized him. Gruber told him who Germaine was. Then he shot him in a duel. A letter in the dead man’s pocket established Germaine’s relationship, and when the father was notified, Estelle, who had now grown to love the Count, paid her penalty. The Count joined the daughter, who remained with the circus, where she had found good friends and happiness, and the Countess, turned from the house and left to her fate, in spite of frantic pleadings for forgiveness, became one of the many submerged of whose existence society knows nothing.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: (unknown); Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 7 November 2023.
References: Website-IMDb.
|
