Name: The Mainspring
Released: 1916
Cast: Ben Wilson, W. J. Higby, Henry Holland, Francelia Billington, Clyde Benson

Cast & Crew

Film Details

Release Date

Nov 27, 1916

Premiere Information

not available

Production Company

Universal Film Mfg Co.

Distribution Company

Universal Film Mfg Co.; Red Feather Photoplays

Country

United States

Synopsis

Finding himself penniless, Lawrence Ashmore, whose late father was ruined on the stock exchange, obtains a position as a reporter. Ashmore is assigned to investigate the reported fatal illness of Jesse Craven, one of Wall Street's financial monarchs. The family is eagerly awaiting Craven's son Larry to return from abroad, and when Ashmore appears he is mistaken for Larry. Meanwhile, Craven's chief competitor, Israel Farnum, plans to obtain his rival's stock interests, and to accomplish this kidnaps Larry when he reaches the city. The elder Craven, his daughter Edith, and brother Jesse persuade Ashmore to impersonate Larry, and he agrees, carrying on the fight against Farnum. After a series of adventures in which Ashmore is carried off to sea by Farnum's thugs, he returns in time to checkmate the conspirators. Farnum, defeated, commits suicide, the real Larry returns, and Ashmore wins Edith Craven, the daughter of the man he saved.