''The Menace of the Mute'' is a 1915 American

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

based on a short story by

John T. McIntyre John Thomas McIntyre (26 November 1871 – 21 May 1951) was an American playwright, and novelist of mystery and crime fiction. Life McIntyre was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 26 November 1871 to Irish immigrants, Sarah Walker (184 ...

. It is the second film in the “Ashton-Kirk, Investigator” series, preceded by ''

An Affair of Three Nations ''An Affair of Three Nations'' is a 1915 American silent film directed by Arnold Daly and Ashley Miller, and produced by Pathé Frères Films. It is based on a story by John T. McIntyre. The film was the first in the "Ashton-Kirk, Investigator" s ...

'', and followed by '' The House of Fear''. As with the first film in this series, it was directed by Ashley Miller and

Arnold Daly Arnold Daly (October 22, 1875 – January 13, 1927) was an American actor, playwright, and producer. He was the father of actress and Algonquin Round Table personality Blyth Daly. Biography He was born Peter Christopher Arnold Daly in Brook ...

, with Daly producing as well. The film is presumed lost.

Plot

A young woman (Louise Rutter), who believes her fiancé (William Harrigan) may have committed a murder, asks Ashton Kirk to investigate the crime. The fiancé admits he went to the man's (Sheldon Lewis) home to retrieve plans for a submarine that was invented by his father, who is a scientist, and stolen by the murdered man, but the fiancé claims he left the home before retrieving the plans. Kirk uses a train conductor's punch ticket to discover the identity of the murderers, one of whom is a

mute Muteness is a speech disorder in which a person lacks the ability to speak. Mute or the Mute may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Mute'' (2005 film), a short film by Melissa Joan Hart * ''Mute'' (2018 film), a scien ...

, and sets a trap to apprehend the suspects.

Cast

- Ashton Kirk *

Sheldon Lewis Sheldon Lewis (April 20, 1868 – May 7, 1958) was an American actor of the silent era best known for his antagonistic roles. He appeared in more than 90 films between 1914 and 1936. Lewis was married to actress Virginia Pearson, and they were ...

- David Hume * Louise Rutter - Edyth Vail *

William Harrigan William Harrigan (March 27, 1894 – February 1, 1966) was an American actor who performed in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s and on stage. Early years Harrigan was born in New York City and attended New York Military Academy. Harrigan was ...

- Allen Morris *Charles Laite - Pendleton *Martin Sabine *George Melville

Background

After completion of the film, Daly said in the November 1915 issue of ''

The Moving Picture World The ''Moving Picture World'' was an influential early trade journal for the American film industry, from 1907 to 1927. An industry powerhouse at its height, ''Moving Picture World'' frequently reiterated its independence from the film studios. I ...

'' that the picture made him think of the advertising slogan used in connection with a certain product - "more than a little better". He also stated that his film "is a distinct advance on my first, ''

'', and if I can continue to improve that way with each picture I shall be well pleased". Daly's next film in the ''Ashton-Kirk'' series, '' The House of Fear'' was released in 1915 as well.

Reviews

Margaret I. MacDonald gave a positive review in ''The Moving Picture World'' at the time, saying that Daly knew how to "manufacture and stage a thrilling melodramatic situation". She also praised the production saying "its situations are tense, its photography good, and it has all the attributes of a good box office attraction".

References

External links