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  • In Fear of His Past (1914)
  • Short | Short, Drama
In Fear of His Past (1914)
Short | Short, Drama
John Burton is sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. On his release he seeks employment and is engaged as private secretary by old Col. Gray who prides himself on being a judge of human nature and asks no references. Col. Gray is a...See moreJohn Burton is sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. On his release he seeks employment and is engaged as private secretary by old Col. Gray who prides himself on being a judge of human nature and asks no references. Col. Gray is a widower, irascible and difficult to please. The crafty old Colonel tests his new secretary to find out if he is sincere and honest and Burton stands the tests. After Burton is established in his new place, he meets an old acquaintance, who is an adventuress and who knew Burton and had herself committed the crime. She forces Burton to introduce her to the eccentric Colonel as his sister, and by her wiles soon fascinates the susceptible but impotent old man, who engages her as his housekeeper. At the same time she loves Burton, whom she designs to marry, once she has captured the Colonel's fortune and the old man is dead, which promises to be soon, owing to his feeble condition. Into this strange household now comes the Colonel's granddaughter, Polly Ann, an orphan, whom he cannot refuse to take in. Polly is full of joy and sunshine, the exact antithesis of the Colonel. She captures his old heart, despite the schemes of the designing adventuress, and by bringing fresh air, sunshine and the joy of living into the house, revives his health. At the same time she wins the love of Burton and the hatred of Mary Jennings. The latter plots to undermine her, but finding this hopeless, she plans to make a clean-up and get away, forcing Burton, by threats of exposing his past, to become her accomplice. The Colonel sets out with Polly for a few days at the seashore, giving Burton and Mary Jennings a vacation. Mary seizes this opportunity to rob the house, with Burton as her unwilling aid. To cover their tracks, she dresses as a man and she and Burton prepare to enter the house as ordinary burglars. Meanwhile the Colonel is taken with a temporary illness and with Polly returns to the house. She telephones for a doctor, but the doctor is delayed. Marv Jennings and Burton disguised as burglars, enter the house by a window and are heard by Polly, who thinks them unknown burglars. The Colonel has fallen asleep and has heard nothing. Polly, who has been in the kitchen heating water, tries to get out of the kitchen door, but the cook has carried off the key. To get to the telephone, or another door, she must pass the burglars. She almost succeeds, when she is astounded to discover their identity. She pauses in hiding and listens. Mary Jennings has just picked up a necklace belonging to Polly which Burton objects to taking. A quarrel ensues to which Polly listens in amazement. The Colonel also hears the voices and listens at another door. Burton, having taken one step in rebellion against Mary's power over him, decides to free himself entirely and repudiate the entire plot. He commences to replace the plunder in the safe. Mary says, "I will tell the old fossil you are an ex-convict." Burton declares he doesn't care, and thrusting her aside, continues replacing the stolen stuff. She rages at him again, and Burton replies, "I was innocent and unjustly convicted, and you know it." Mary looks at him in contempt and sneers back, "Of course you were innocent, you poor boob, but who will believe it now?" The Colonel, who has secured a revolver steps out and declares he will believe it. Mary is arrested and taken away. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Dec 20, 1914
Release date
Dec 20, 1914 (United States)

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3 cast members
Name Known for
Jack Conway
John Burton John Burton   See fewer
Viva Villa! (1934)
Spottiswoode Aitken
Colonel Gray Colonel Gray   See fewer
The Birth of a Nation (1915)
Mary Alden
Mary Jennings Mary Jennings   See fewer
The Birth of a Nation (1915)
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