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Seeds of Chaos
(1914) United States of America
B&W : Two reels
Directed by Harry McRae Webster
Cast: Rapley Holmes [Richard Morgan, the employer], Richard C. Travers [John Booth, the bookkeeper], Gerda Holmes [Mary Booth, John’s wife], Edward Arnold
Essanay Film Manufacturing Company production; distributed by The General Film Company, Incorporated. / From a screen story by Edward T. Lowe Jr. / Released 1 May 1914. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Richard Morgan, John Booth’s employer, appropriates a certain amount of money from the firm of Morgan and Company, and in order to escape the penalty, places the blame upon Booth. Certain leaves of the ledger are discovered in Booth’s desk; Morgan had placed them there. Booth is sent to prison. Mary, the wife of the convict, to support her child becomes a trained nurse. Some time later Morgan becomes a victim of brain fever. Mary is sent from the nurses’ association to take care of him. Her careful nursing restores Morgan to a normal condition, and the doctor tells the broker that Mary had saved his life. Morgan is grateful. Several days later, while reading to Morgan, Mary discovers an article concerning her husband, that he is again up for trial. Morgan takes the paper from her and reads the story. After a night with his conscience he decides to sacrifice himself, and consequently the next morning he tells Mary that he is guilty of the crime her husband is being tried for. In gratitude Morgan goes to court, where he openly declares himself before judge and jury as being guilty. Thus a man is regenerated and husband and wife reunited. Morgan, though a crook, had proved himself to be a man and the stain of guilt is removed from the shoulders of the honest employee, John Booth.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 16 May 1914, page ?] This story of a crooked businessman who fastens his crime upon a young bookkeeper, is finely constructed. It reaches no very high plane of interest at any time, but the story gets hold of the observer at the start and pulls him along without cessation to the close. During her husband’s incarceration the young wife nurses the sick man, whose heart is touched by her kindness. He appears at the trial scene and pleads guilty. Rapley Holmes gave a good representation of the leading character. The photography was a little dark at times.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 7 January 2023.
References: Tarbox-Lost p. 74 : Website-IMDb.
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