The Middleman
Joseph Chandler, owner of the Tatlow Potteries is in serious financial trouble and is about to be closed down by his creditors, which will mean the ruin of the small town. Cyrus Blenkarn, an employee,…
The Middleman
Joseph Chandler, owner of the Tatlow Potteries is in serious financial trouble and is about to be closed down by his creditors, which will mean the ruin of the small town. Cyrus Blenkarn, an employee, has discovered a new transparent glaze that will revolutionize the industry, which Chandler pays him fifty pound for, uses it to new funding from his creditors, and takes all the credit for being the savior of the town. Blenkarn vows revenge and it comes, via a discovery in South Africa. —Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net> The owner of the Tatlow Potteries, Joseph Chandler, is in serious financial straits. He is visited by representatives of a committee of his creditors, and is informed that the potteries must be closed. This statement causes great excitement among the townspeople, as the whole population is dependent upon the works for a living. Among Chandler's employees is Cyrus Blenkarn, who is experimenting with a new glaze. With his assistant, Jesse Pegg, he examines the result of his last experiment, and finds that the last specimens are perfectly glazed and translucent. He realizes that his discovery will revolutionize the manufacture of pottery, and accompanied by his two daughters, he bursts into the presence of Chandler and his creditors. The creditors are quick to see the possibilities of the new discovery, and inform Chandler that they will be willing to back him to any extent in the manufacture of the new ware. Chandler writes Blenkarn a check for 50 pounds, and a few moments later is himself receiving the acclamation of the workers as the savior of the town. Chandler has no scruples in taking all the benefits of Blenkarn's discovery, and in a few months is a wealthy man. Sir Seton Umfraville, with his daughter, Felicia, makes his acquaintance, and it is not long before thoughts of a match between their respective children occur to each of the men. But Chandler's son, Julian, is less enamored of Felicia than of Mary, one of Blenkarn's two daughters. In the meantime Chandler, thanks to Sir Seton Umfraville's influence, is accepted as political candidate for the district. Julian, his son, is arranging to conduct an expedition to Africa in search of a lost explorer. When Mary discovers that Julian's departure is imminent she can conceal her guilty secret no longer. Julian is amazed and shocked by what Mary discloses to him, and when a few seconds later old Chandler hurriedly enters the room, it is to find the weeping Mary in Julian's arms. There is a scene between the two men, and Julian makes a frank confession of his intention to marry Mary. Chandler, terrified at the threatened collapse of his political career, begs his son to do nothing before his return. Julian will promise nothing, however, and sets off for Paris en route for Africa. His conscience reproaches him for leaving Mary in such a dilemma, and he writes a note to her, telling her to follow him to Paris, where he will marry her before setting off, and enclosing notes for her expenses, Mary never gets this letter, for Chandler, who calls on Blenkarn with a view to hushing the probable scandal, finds it lying on the table, and recognizing his son's handwriting, steals it. Mary, believing Julian has left her without a word, determines to hide her disgrace as much as possible by running away from home. A few moments later, Jesse Pegg, Blenkarn's assistant, realizing that there is mischief afoot, tells old Blenkarn that he suspects the relations between the absent Julian and Mary. Blenkarn is incredulous and furious, but his incredulity is rudely shattered by the farewell note from Mary, which he at that moment discovers. He sends Pegg to fetch Chandler to him, and Chandler, confronted by the rumor, acknowledges its truth, and to Blenkarn's fury, refuses to order Julian to return. Mary is rescued from suicide on the Embankment by a woman engaged in rescue work, and is taken to a shelter and cared for. In due course a baby is born, and though the mother recovers, the child dies, and Mary, prostrated by shame and grief, sinks into a hopeless lethargy. Chandler indulges in foolish stock exchange speculations, and once more is faced with financial ruin. Again the Tatlow works are threatened with closure, and again Chandler's thoughts turn to Blenkarn. Blenkarn, driven half insane by the shame and loss of his daughter, has left the works, and in direst poverty, is devoting himself to a search for the secret of the old Tatlow ware, which has long been lost. Unfortunately, he is unable to bear the cost of continued experiments, and on the verge of his most critical experiment he is refused the necessary coal for his kiln. Chandler's manager, Batty Todd, has promised that if Blenkarn's experiments are successful, he will provide the necessary money and help Blenkarn in crushing Chandler. Chandler approaches Blenkarn and offers to give him a place in the works on condition that any discoveries Blenkarn makes shall belong to Chandler. Blenkarn scornfully refuses all help. Unable to secure coal, he breaks up his furniture and burns it instead, and throughout the night sits waiting for his kiln to cool. In the morning the kiln is broken open and the test pieces are extracted. They are worthless. The old man collapses despairingly beside an opened kiln. He chances to raise his eyes and suddenly sees the perfect piece of Tatlow ware lying inside, and unseen before. He has succeeded. Before long Chandler and his manager, Batty Todd, call on the old man. Chandler offers to buy the discovery, but Blenkarn is scornfully contemptuous. In Africa Julian learns of Mary's disappearance, and of old Blenkarn's distress, and at once sets off on his return journey. News of his return is read to Mary by her kindly rescuer, and provokes such a storm of emotion as to convince the Salvationist worker that Julian should know the secret of Mary's identity. She breaks in on his triumphal reception in London, and Julian, forgetting everything, rushes off with her to Mary's room. The next day when Julian arrives at Tatlow Hall it is to find Blenkarn in possession, as owner of the Tatlow Potteries and the employer of the now humbled Chandler. Blenkarn's first fury against Julian is calmed when he learns of the stolen letter and the fact that Mary is already his wife. —Moving Picture World synopsis
The Middleman
Adventure,Crime,Drama
Film Details
Joseph Chandler, owner of the Tatlow Potteries is in serious financial trouble and is about to be closed down by his creditors, which will mean the ruin of the small town. Cyrus Blenkarn, an employee, has discovered a new transparent glaze that will revolutionize the industry, which Chandler pays him fifty pound for, uses it to new funding from his creditors, and takes all the credit for being the savior of the town. Blenkarn vows revenge and it comes, via a discovery in South Africa.
—Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net> The owner of the Tatlow Potteries, Joseph Chandler, is in serious financial straits. He is visited by representatives of a committee of his creditors, and is informed that the potteries must be closed. This statement causes great excitement among the townspeople, as the whole population is dependent upon the works for a living.
Among Chandler's employees is Cyrus Blenkarn, who is experimenting with a new glaze. With his assistant, Jesse Pegg, he examines the result of his last experiment, and finds that the last specimens are perfectly glazed and translucent. He realizes that his discovery will revolutionize the manufacture of pottery, and accompanied by his two daughters, he bursts into the presence of Chandler and his creditors.
The creditors are quick to see the possibilities of the new discovery, and inform Chandler that they will be willing to back him to any extent in the manufacture of the new ware. Chandler writes Blenkarn a check for 50 pounds, and a few moments later is himself receiving the acclamation of the workers as the savior of the town. Chandler has no scruples in taking all the benefits of Blenkarn's discovery, and in a few months is a wealthy man.
Sir Seton Umfraville, with his daughter, Felicia, makes his acquaintance, and it is not long before thoughts of a match between their respective children occur to each of the men. But Chandler's son, Julian, is less enamored of Felicia than of Mary, one of Blenkarn's two daughters. In the meantime Chandler, thanks to Sir Seton Umfraville's influence, is accepted as political candidate for the district.
Julian, his son, is arranging to conduct an expedition to Africa in search of a lost explorer. When Mary discovers that Julian's departure is imminent she can conceal her guilty secret no longer. Julian is amazed and shocked by what Mary discloses to him, and when a few seconds later old Chandler hurriedly enters the room, it is to find the weeping Mary in Julian's arms.
There is a scene between the two men, and Julian makes a frank confession of his intention to marry Mary. Chandler, terrified at the threatened collapse of his political career, begs his son to do nothing before his return. Julian will promise nothing, however, and sets off for Paris en route for Africa.
His conscience reproaches him for leaving Mary in such a dilemma, and he writes a note to her, telling her to follow him to Paris, where he will marry her before setting off, and enclosing notes for her expenses, Mary never gets this letter, for Chandler, who calls on Blenkarn with a view to hushing the probable scandal, finds it lying on the table, and recognizing his son's handwriting, steals it. Mary, believing Julian has left her without a word, determines to hide her disgrace as much as possible by running away from home. A few moments later, Jesse Pegg, Blenkarn's assistant, realizing that there is mischief afoot, tells old Blenkarn that he suspects the relations between the absent Julian and Mary.
Blenkarn is incredulous and furious, but his incredulity is rudely shattered by the farewell note from Mary, which he at that moment discovers. He sends Pegg to fetch Chandler to him, and Chandler, confronted by the rumor, acknowledges its truth, and to Blenkarn's fury, refuses to order Julian to return. Mary is rescued from suicide on the Embankment by a woman engaged in rescue work, and is taken to a shelter and cared for.
In due course a baby is born, and though the mother recovers, the child dies, and Mary, prostrated by shame and grief, sinks into a hopeless lethargy. Chandler indulges in foolish stock exchange speculations, and once more is faced with financial ruin. Again the Tatlow works are threatened with closure, and again Chandler's thoughts turn to Blenkarn.
Blenkarn, driven half insane by the shame and loss of his daughter, has left the works, and in direst poverty, is devoting himself to a search for the secret of the old Tatlow ware, which has long been lost. Unfortunately, he is unable to bear the cost of continued experiments, and on the verge of his most critical experiment he is refused the necessary coal for his kiln. Chandler's manager, Batty Todd, has promised that if Blenkarn's experiments are successful, he will provide the necessary money and help Blenkarn in crushing Chandler.
Chandler approaches Blenkarn and offers to give him a place in the works on condition that any discoveries Blenkarn makes shall belong to Chandler. Blenkarn scornfully refuses all help. Unable to secure coal, he breaks up his furniture and burns it instead, and throughout the night sits waiting for his kiln to cool.
In the morning the kiln is broken open and the test pieces are extracted. They are worthless. The old man collapses despairingly beside an opened kiln.
He chances to raise his eyes and suddenly sees the perfect piece of Tatlow ware lying inside, and unseen before. He has succeeded. Before long Chandler and his manager, Batty Todd, call on the old man.
Chandler offers to buy the discovery, but Blenkarn is scornfully contemptuous. In Africa Julian learns of Mary's disappearance, and of old Blenkarn's distress, and at once sets off on his return journey. News of his return is read to Mary by her kindly rescuer, and provokes such a storm of emotion as to convince the Salvationist worker that Julian should know the secret of Mary's identity.
She breaks in on his triumphal reception in London, and Julian, forgetting everything, rushes off with her to Mary's room. The next day when Julian arrives at Tatlow Hall it is to find Blenkarn in possession, as owner of the Tatlow Potteries and the employer of the now humbled Chandler. Blenkarn's first fury against Julian is calmed when he learns of the stolen letter and the fact that Mary is already his wife.
—Moving Picture World synopsis.