The Crash

1916
ShortDrama

Ross Grant and his partners, one of whom is an ex-telegrapher, are owners of a mine in Mexico. Grant is money-mad, and it is a great blow when he discovers that the mine is worthless. He determines to promote stock in it and reap a harvest. A telegraph instrument is installed in Grant's shack, and he gives a code to his companions before leaving for the States. In a large American city, Harvey Dean is a rich broker. His daughter, Sylvia, an ardent stamp collector, is loved by Clifford Ware, a young engineer now employed by Dean. Grant meets Dean and interests him in the mining stock, until finally Dean agrees to invest $50,000 the following month. Grant, thinking the money sure, acts upon the advice of a friend, and plays the stock exchange. Meanwhile Clifford discovers that Dean is going to invest in the mine, and asks permission to investigate it. Dean consents, and Clifford leaves for Mexico. Grant learns of Clifford's mission from his tool, the maid in the Dean household, and telegraphs to his partners to make Clifford their prisoner, and force him to write a favorable report on the mine. This is done, but Clifford asks to write a harmless postscript to the letter. After some argument, Grant's partners allow him to do so, and Clifford writes, "Perhaps Sylvia would be interested in adding these Mexican stamps to her collection." Dean receives the letter, and is pleased at the favorable report. The important day on the exchange has come for Grant. With Dean's money he can swing the market so as to clean a half million. But just as Dean is about to hand Grant a check for the money, Sylvia arrives breathlessly, to show her father a message that was written under the stamps on Clifford's letter, and it states that the mine is worthless and he is held prisoner. Without Dean's money, Grant is ruined. Clifford makes his escape from the partners, and Sylvia ever afterwards looks upon the two Mexican stamps as the most precious of her collection.

Released
1916

Details

Release year: 1916

Storyline

Ross Grant and his partners, one of whom is an ex-telegrapher, are owners of a mine in Mexico. Grant is money-mad, and it is a great blow when he discovers that the mine is worthless. He determines to promote stock in it and reap a harvest. A telegraph instrument is installed in Grant's shack, and he gives a code to his companions before leaving for the States. In a large American city, Harvey Dean is a rich broker. His daughter, Sylvia, an ardent stamp collector, is loved by Clifford Ware, a young engineer now employed by Dean. Grant meets Dean and interests him in the mining stock, until finally Dean agrees to invest $50,000 the following month. Grant, thinking the money sure, acts upon the advice of a friend, and plays the stock exchange. Meanwhile Clifford discovers that Dean is going to invest in the mine, and asks permission to investigate it. Dean consents, and Clifford leaves for Mexico. Grant learns of Clifford's mission from his tool, the maid in the Dean household, and telegraphs to his partners to make Clifford their prisoner, and force him to write a favorable report on the mine. This is done, but Clifford asks to write a harmless postscript to the letter. After some argument, Grant's partners allow him to do so, and Clifford writes, "Perhaps Sylvia would be interested in adding these Mexican stamps to her collection." Dean receives the letter, and is pleased at the favorable report. The important day on the exchange has come for Grant. With Dean's money he can swing the market so as to clean a half million. But just as Dean is about to hand Grant a check for the money, Sylvia arrives breathlessly, to show her father a message that was written under the stamps on Clifford's letter, and it states that the mine is worthless and he is held prisoner. Without Dean's money, Grant is ruined. Clifford makes his escape from the partners, and Sylvia ever afterwards looks upon the two Mexican stamps as the most precious of her collection.

Top credits

Cast
See all 9 credits →