The Great Game - Production & Contact Info

The Great Game (1913)
Short | 22 min | Drama, Short

The Great Game (1913)

Short | 22 min | Drama, Short

Austin Cluett has just been elected Mayor. At the same time, Harvey Pelham, railroad king, in company of the railroad trust, is trying to get a new franchise from the city, for the purpose of allowing them to run their tracks into the ...See moreAustin Cluett has just been elected Mayor. At the same time, Harvey Pelham, railroad king, in company of the railroad trust, is trying to get a new franchise from the city, for the purpose of allowing them to run their tracks into the center of the city. To assist in their operations, Jim Hennessy, a politician, to whom Cluett largely owes his office, is called in and offered a bribe of $10,000 if he can induce Cluett to sign the franchise. If necessary, Hennessy is to offer the mayor a bribe of $100,000 for his signature. When approached by Hennessy with the franchise, which he has seen before, the mayor turns the proposition down, once and for all, saying that he is not a machine man. Pelham, at a loss which way to turn, resorts to personal ingenuity, and turns to his son Jack for help. Jack, a clever young man, and a broker of some note, tells his father that before election to office, Cluett dabbled heavily in stocks. This opens a new train of thought in Pelham' s mind, and he orders his son to buy up all of a certain stock in order to corner the market and break the mayor financially. The $100,000 bribe would then be acceptable to him and the franchise would go through. Meantime Pelham attends a ball and there meets Mrs. Cluett, a young and charming woman. Being a man of strong and ungovernable passions, Pelham is at once attracted and subsequently falls in love with her. He is now more determined than ever to ruin her husband and begins the great game. Perfect love exists between the mayor and his wife, and when she once learns Pelham 's intentions, she spurns his advances. As time passes, the mayor is finally wiped out and his office is tottering as well, Pelham seemingly with his hand at his destiny. Jack Pelham suddenly realizes that for some reason a good man is being ruined, and not always being in accord with his father's methods of success, begins a battle in the stock market of son against father. Knowing that her husband is ruined, Jack goes to Mrs. Cluett and asks her if it is possible for her to buy all of a certain stock which he is able to throw in her way. She confesses lack of funds, and refusing his offer of a loan, pledges her jewelry. With this money, Jack begins to turn the market on his father, and Pelham, enraged and wondering at the source, begins to lose heavily. Jack is able to recoup the $200,000 for Mrs. Cluett and gives her the securities. Just at this point, Pelham knowing her husband is ruined, writes Mrs. Cluett a short note, telling her of the fact and assuring her that her only refuge lies in him. In shame and indignation she shows Jack his father's note. This part of the game was, until now, new to Jack, but he is now able to see through it all. Comforting the young wife, whom he has also grown to more than admire, he lays his father's note on the library desk, and just as he starts from the room, Cluett enters, noticing, as he thinks, an affectionate relationship between Jack and his wife. He finds the letter and his suspicions are confirmed. Pelham, Sr. enters, son and father. An explanation is brought about and the mayor thanks the son for saving him from destruction. The machine fails. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
5 cast members

Name	Known for
Thomas Commerford Mayor Cluett Mayor Cluett See fewer	The Ex-Convict (1913)
Irene Warfield Mrs. Cluett - the Mayor's Wife Mrs. Cluett - the Mayor's Wife See fewer	Four Feathers (1915)
E.H. Calvert Harvey Pelham - a Railroad Magnate Harvey Pelham - a Railroad Magnate See fewer	The Wizard (1927)
Richard Travers Jack Pelham - the Son (as Richard C. Travers) Jack Pelham - the Son (as Richard C. Travers) See fewer	The Man Trail (1915)
Martin Best Hennessy - Pelham's Henchman (as Henry Martin Best) Hennessy - Pelham's Henchman (as Henry Martin Best) See fewer	Ramona (1916)