The Pretender - Production & Contact Info

The Pretender (1916)
Short | Short, Drama

The Pretender (1916)

Short | Short, Drama

Phyllis Arnold is the daughter of Robert Arnold, still active as one of the big men of the wheat pit. Stuart Kendall and Phyllis are engaged at the time Charlston Lane becomes associated with Arnold in a particularly big deal. Having heard...See morePhyllis Arnold is the daughter of Robert Arnold, still active as one of the big men of the wheat pit. Stuart Kendall and Phyllis are engaged at the time Charlston Lane becomes associated with Arnold in a particularly big deal. Having heard about Phyllis' influence with her father he is most careful to make a good impression on her and is successful in doing so. Only, as time passes, and Phyllis learns that her father is becoming more and more deeply involved through Lane's advice she begins to distrust the man. Lane, who has not yet made his big play, realizes that he is slipping and seeks some way to regain his lost standing. At this time the young set, of which Phyllis is a member, becomes interested in a mystic who has been most successful in readings for some of them. With her friends Phyllis is induced to go to him, and he surprises her by requesting her to return again alone when he will have more to tell her. As an adventure she goes back to him again. The mystic person, who is known as the Oracle, is operating through Lane who, with his knowledge of prominent people, tips him off. It is Phyllis whom he wishes to influence and the Oracle works towards this result. Through the large amount of information Lane has given him he appears really psychic and tells her a number of facts from her past life that convinces Phyllis of the sincerity of his powers. Meanwhile, Lane continues to stay close to Arnold and endeavor to win him over to a big plunge to corner wheat. Stuart notices Phyllis' growing coolness and tries to find out the cause but she denies that there is anything wrong. Arnold's decision as to whether or not he will go into Lane's pool trembles in the balance. Lane again has the Oracle send for Phyllis and this time the Oracle comes out boldly and warns her of her connection with Stuart. She returns to her home and that evening breaks off her engagement, refusing to give Stuart any satisfactory reason. Stuart suspects that Lane is somehow concerned in the matter. He finds him at the club at dinner and watches him during the course of the evening. Stuart follows Lane to the home of the Oracle but is unable to find out what happens there. However, to safeguard himself, he bribes the maid in Phyllis' home to let him know when her mistress is going out. The maid agrees. The following day the maid reports to Stuart at his club that Phyllis is going to the house of the Oracle for a final appointment. Stuart goes direct to the house of the Oracle and forces his way in. He has just time to give the mystic warning that, unless he comes clean and tells Phyllis the truth, there will be serious trouble. As Phyllis is announced Stuart steps into the alcove, covers the mystic with a revolver and draws the curtain about him. Phyllis enters and takes her place in front of the Oracle. Lane hastens to the mystic's home to tell him the time has arrived to convince Phyllis. He enters as usual by another way and comes upon Stuart standing in the alcove covering the Oracle. He overpowers him from behind, then takes his place and signals the Oracle that all is all right and to go ahead and convince Phyllis that she must advise her father according to Lane's wishes. The Oracle does so, tells Phyllis of the grave danger to her father unless he takes sides with Lane and convinces her that haste is imperative. Phyllis picks up the telephone under the Oracle's guidance and tells her father that she has reasons to believe that Lane is playing square and that she suggests he go in with him. Lane, satisfied that there is nothing now that can stop him, hurries to Arnold's office to complete the arrangement. As Lane leaves, Stuart manages to free himself and confronts the surprised mystic, a struggle follows as Stuart fights both the mystic and his servant whom he summons. Lane, meanwhile, is on his way to Arnold's office. Stuart puts the servant out of the way and forces the mystic to tell Phyllis the truth. She now realizes the game that Lane has been playing and hastily tries to get her father on the phone at the office. He has left for the bank with Lane. A chase follows wherein Phyllis and Stuart arrive at the bank at the moment Arnold and Lane are about to enter. Surprised at his daughter's sudden appearance Arnold inquires the cause; she tells him briefly that there is something more important on hand than a matter of a stock deal, she will see him about that later. For the present she wants him to come along with them, she and Stuart are going to be married right away. Lana sees the game is off as Arnold assents to his daughter's imperative demand. As they climb into the car to drive away to the minister's, Lane turns and walks away, to recoup his fortunes as best he can. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
4 cast members

Name	Known for
Edward Coxen Stuart Kendall Stuart Kendall See fewer	The Bells (1918)
Lizette Thorne Phyllis Arnold Phyllis Arnold See fewer	A Dream or Two Ago (1916)
Robert Klein Roberts Arnold - Phyllis's Father Roberts Arnold - Phyllis's Father See fewer	The Ancient Mariner (1925)
George Field Charleston Lane Charleston Lane See fewer	Blood and Sand (1922)