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Across the Atlantic
(1914) United States of America
B&W : Three reels
Directed by Herbert Brennon
Cast: King Baggot [Wilbur Norton], Leah Baird and Evelyn Hope [Mrs. Wilbur Norton], Claude Graham White [an aviator], Gustav Hamel [an aviator], Herbert Brennon [Oyama], Wallace Widdicombe [Wilbur’s friend]
The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by The Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Incorporated. / Scenario by Herbert Brennon. / Released 11 June 1911. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The production was shot in England. Hope replaced Baird in the Mrs. Norton role; circumstances unknown.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? Wilbur Norton has perfected a new aeroplane invention. An Oriental spy is charged by his government to get these plans. He endeavors to negotiate with Wilbur but is repulsed. An English friend of Wilbur’s arrives from England with the news that the invention has been accepted. Wilbur, who is an Englishman himself, and his friend go out to celebrate. Wilbur becomes intoxicated. His friend takes the papers for safe keeping. The pair start home. The spy, who has followed them, stabs the friend to death as Wilbur falls on the sidewalk in a drunken stupor. This is all observed by an old tramp who flees in terror. The next morning Wilbur awakes to find the knife in the dead body of his friend. He imagines he has killed trim. He escapes and goes to London where he buries himself in the slums and makes a living by selling papers. His wife, an American girl, he left behind. The murdered man’s fortune has been willed to her and her child. She leaves for England, determined to run down the spy and clear the name of her husband. She arrives and meets the Oriental spy. While on the way to the Derby, Wilbur, who is now working with a Punch and Judy show, observes his wife pass in her car. He tries to follow, but loses her in the crowd. The wife again meets the spy at the races and succeeds, during the excitement of the race, in securing the paper. Wilbur has found his way to the races and he confronts the spy there. The spy departs hurriedly, followed by Wilbur. The spy tries to escape in Graham White’s aeroplane with the latter who does not know of his guilt. Wilbur pursues them and sees them land after a brief flight. He chases the now panic stricken foreigner through a village street, into a house and onto the roof. The spy misses his footing and falls: he is killed. Wilbur finally locates his wife and the series of exciting events comes to an end.
Reviews: [The Moving Picture World, 13 June 1914, page ?] A three-reel number, produced by Herbert Brennon, with King Baggot in the leading role. It deals with international intrigue between this country and Japan, the chief scenes being taken in the vicinity of London. It is wonderfully entertaining all through, and racy with English atmosphere. We have a splendid view of Derby Day, with the enormous crowds and pavilions; there are views of Claude Graham White and other aviators in action. In addition to this the story is well constructed and exciting throughout. Altogether this is an especially attractive feature number.
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 25 November 2022.
References: Braff-Short n. 81 : Website-IMDb.
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