The Unwritten Law
Cast & Crew
George E. Middleton
Beatriz Michelena
William Pike
Andrew Robson
Baby Felice Rix
Matt Snyder
Film Details
Synopsis
John Wilson, a successful attorney with a wife and baby daughter, runs for political office. His opposition to drinking makes an enemy out of political boss Larry McCarthy, a successful saloon operator, who decides to destroy Wilson's campaign. Wilson is so confident of winning that, when he loses because of McCarthy's influence, he becomes a confirmed alcoholic. McCarthy encourages Wilson's drinking because he is really infatuated with Wilson's wife, Kate. She is reduced to operating a millinery store, which is destroyed by fire. Baby Sue, their daughter, is seriously burned and must be sent to a sanitarium, and Kate takes McCarthy in as a boarder. John has become a bum and leaves Kate, who has a nervous breakdown. McCarthy convinces Kate to marry him but, at the last minute, resumes his affair with a former paramour. Eventually Kate shoots McCarthy, although John, who has returned, is accused of the crime. Kate confesses but is not prosecuted and the family is reunited in the end.
Director
George E. Middleton
Cast
Beatriz Michelena
William Pike
Andrew Robson
Baby Felice Rix
Matt Snyder
Frank Hollins
Clarence Arper
Irene Outtrim
Nina Herbert
Albert Morrison
Film Details
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The film was shot at the California Motion Picture Corp. studio in San Rafael, CA. It was originally planned for a January 1916 release and reviewed then in five reel form by several trade journals, but it is unlikely that it was released at that time. The producers subsequently added footage and released the film, now seven reels long, in the spring of 1916. Exclusive Features, Inc., acquired the rights to the film in late 1916. Alex E. Beyfuss, the studio and general manager of the California Motion Picture Corp., was credited with directing this film by some sources. California's studio records list Middleton as the director. According to Capt. Leslie T. Peacocke's contract, he was to act as an assistant to Middleton, play bit roles and help in the assembly of the film.
