The Strange Unknown - Production & Contact Info

The Strange Unknown (1915)
Short | Short, Drama

The Strange Unknown (1915)

Short | Short, Drama

Blanche Clark, an actress, falls in love with Lark Whitney, an American artist, in Paris as he paints her portrait. Leon Bassel loves her and her supposed wealth. She cares nothing for him, but he has great influence over her. Blanche's ...See moreBlanche Clark, an actress, falls in love with Lark Whitney, an American artist, in Paris as he paints her portrait. Leon Bassel loves her and her supposed wealth. She cares nothing for him, but he has great influence over her. Blanche's step-sister, Meta, whom Lark loves, lives in New York with her father, Andrew Clark. Clark suffers a stroke of paralysis and dies. Lark gets the news, and for the first time learns that Blanche is Meta's sister. Leon learns that detectives are after him, and in searching a paper for news, reads of Clark's death. Pleased, he goes to Blanche, but she tells of Clark disowning her when she went upon the stage. Leon persuades her to let him accompany her home with Lark. Meta's mind is slightly affected from grief, but she recognizes Lark and Blanche when they arrive. Blanche is left only $1,000. She grows madly jealous at Meta possessing both the fortune and the man she loves. The doctor gives warning that Meta must be watched, as she may do herself harm. Leon shows Blanche a prescription of his which causes mental disorder. She agrees to use it on Meta, seeing it is the way to win Lark. Leon thinks to the contrary, hoping to win Blanche after she becomes sole heir. Meta suddenly disappears. Her cloak is found at the river placed there by Leon. The conclusion is that Meta drowned herself, but the truth is that she is imprisoned in the attic. The river is dragged and hope is given up of finding Meta's body. Lark is greatly grieved. Blanche becomes sole heir and she hands over a large sum to Leon. He proposes again, but she refuses. He threatens her, but she defies him. He weakens and decides to wait. Longing for Lark, Blanche gets him to finish her portrait, again tempting him. He becomes fascinated. Blanche gives an informal affair, and while she and Lark are alone, they see a woman's hand protrude through the curtains at the hall door. Realizing it is Meta, she summons the maid in time before anyone sees Meta. She pretends to Lark the house is haunted, and begs him to go away with her. He agrees, bewildered. The next evening Leon calls, and is told that Blanche is out with Lark. He returns and gains entrance to the Clark home, vowing to kill Lark. While examining his revolver in the library, he sees Meta crouched in the corner, she having escaped again. Leon is severe with her and she scuffles, with him. The maid is awakened by a pistol report, and reaching the library she finds Leon dead, and Meta laughing in his face hysterically. She gets Meta back and places the revolver in Leon's hands in time to admit the officers. Lark and Blanche arrive. They prove an alibi by showing the ends of their theater tickets. Lark finds a few strands of Meta's hair caught in Leon's cuff. He remains silent. An officer recognizes Leon as a much wanted crook in Europe. Blanche shudders, the maid having whispered to her that Meta did the killing. Blanche pretends there is no one in the house. Lark demands to see the hidden woman, and Blanche agrees when he threatens to call the police back. He is taken to the attic room, where he finds Meta mentally deranged. He takes Meta out, and leaves her on a street corner, watching from a distance until he sees two officers take her in charge, making it appear Meta has been wandering about since her disappearance. He and Blanche get a message from the station for Blanche to come, as they think they have found her sister. Meta recovers, the drug having died out, but she is thrown in terror, remembering a murder scene. Lark consoles her by saying it was only a dream. Blanche, filled with shame, returns to Paris, leaving Lark and Meta to their own happiness. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
7 cast members

Name	Known for
Lee Shumway Lark Whitney Lark Whitney See fewer	Go-Get-'Em, Haines (1936)
Helen Jerome Eddy Meta Clark Meta Clark See fewer	The Flirt (1922)
George Routh Leon Bassel Leon Bassel See fewer	While the Children Slept (1913)
Dorothy Barrett Blanche Clark Blanche Clark See fewer	The Brute Breaker (1919)
Melvin Mayo Andrew Clark - the Father Andrew Clark - the Father See fewer	The Death Warrant (1914)
Adelaide Bronti The Maid The Maid See fewer	Saved from the Harem (1915)
R. Henry Grey Actor Actor See fewer	Twin Kiddies (1917)