Universal Weekly (1914-1915)

8 THE UNIVERSAL WEEKLY "The Master Key," Serial Starts WO mining prospectors, James Gallon and his partner, Wilkerson, in a temporary camp, have been searching for gold. Gallon has made a lucky strike and has tried to conceal the fact from Wilkerson, who already suspects his partner is not giving him a square deal. The partners are sitting around the campfire one evening when suddenly Wilkerson becomes thirsty ; after taking innumerable drinks of water, he falls asleep. Gallon walks off some distance from the sleeper and starts drawing the plans of his great find — but every now and again he furtively turns his eyes in the (direction of Wilkerson, fearing he may awaken cover his secret. Wilkerson awakens, observes Gallon and wonders what he is doing. Quietly he crawls on hands and knees until he can peer over Gallon's shoulder ; and in his Eagerness to see he accidentally touches him. Gallon, turning, discovers Wilkerson is looking at him, and starts running away, with Wilkerson in pursuit. Gallon grabs his gun, turns and fires at Wilkerson. A terrific hand-to-hand fight follows. Gallon leaves Wilkerson apparently dead. Gallon, after endless hours of wandering, reaches the small mining town of Jacito. A stranger takes him to the sheriffs office. Gallon tells the sheriff that he and his partner were attacked by outlaws and his partner killed. The sheriff, accompanied by his deputy and Gallon, goes toward the saloon and calls for volunteers. A crowd soon collects. Out of the saloon comes a half drunken boy, who cries, "I'm game", jumps on a horse — and the posse are off. As they gallop up the hill, drunken boy is thrown to ground when his horse stumbles. The others ride on ahead. The boy lies dazed. His horse gets upon its feet and whinnies. "Who's coming"? mutters the boy. Through the brush he distinguishes a faint form ; it is a man. Could this be one of the outlaws? he wonders. He pulls his revolver. "I'm Wilkerson", replies the voice. Wilkerson confides his story to the boy and asks him to help. The boy is willing and the two go slowly on. At the camp, the sheriff and deputy find no one. The sheriff returns and orders Gallon's arrest. The boys bind him. Evening comes on the posse camp, leaving Gallon tied by the camp fire. A cowboy is left on watch. In time 'the watcher falls asleep. Gallon manages to sever his bonds by holding his hands over the fire. He manages to get to a horse and escape. The posse pursue him. Gallon has reached the thick brush, and when he knows that he is safe, lies down and takes out the plans that he had drawn, also a picture of a twelve-year-old girl, his only daughter — Ruth Gallon — and with that picture clasped tightly to his heart he falls asleep, muttering, "I'll save 'The Master Key' for Ruth". •John Fleming Wilson's Thrilling story begins with great promise of surpassing "The Trey o' Hearts" . Universal Special Feature. Released week of November 16. CAST. John Uorc Robert Leonard Ruth Gallon Ella Hall ■James Gallon, Her Father. .Wilbur Higby Harry Wilkerson Harry Carter and dis The Sheriff Refuses To Believe Gallon's Story. Fearing to return to the scene of hi* supposed crime, Gallon leaves San Fran cisco by ship for his home. Visions of Wilkerson begin to appear before him. His conscience is troubled. Shortly after boarding the ship, he finds an old sen chest, which he opens. He takes out a curious Japanese idol. In the head "f this he hides the plan to his mine. The captain of the vessel is a bruitOnce out to sea a mutiny ensues, during which the ship catches fire. Shortly after it sinks. Gallon is washed ashore. Realizing that he has nothing to indicate the location of the disaster, he engraves the approximate longitude and latitude where the ship went down on the key to thechest, known afterward as "The Master Key". A week later, he is rescued and returns home, where he meets his daughter. Ruth. Five years ensue. Gallon returns to the mines, which he begins developing. He keeps a diary, and in this writes a notation to the effect that he has been seeking for the secret of hislost plans. About this time Gallon writes to a New York stock broker. named Gates, asking him for advice relative to floating "The Master Key" mines. On the day that Gates receives Gallon's letter, John Dore, a young mining engineer, calls upon the former and is thereupon engaged as consulting and construction engineer for Gallon . He immediately goes West to take up his work. Here he meets Gallons' daughter. Ruth. The first episode ends when Gallon takes his diary from his safe and writes : "This day has been a repetition of all those gone before for the past five years. I am still seeking for the secret of my lost plans. I had not yet discovered — " *fa *|? J What promises to be ** one of the best films ever > turned out under the brand of the Turner Special Feature company, is under course of production at the Universal West Coast Studios. "Called Back"' is the title of the film, which is taken from the novel of that name, written by Hugh Conway, and was put into scenario form by James Dayton of the scenario department at Hollywood, especially for the Turner company. Laid in London, as is the scene of the story, the carpenters and prop-makers have been busy for the past two months constructing one of the little courts so common to certain sections of London. Rows and rows of brick, wooden and stone build ings have been erected, with the customary gas street lamps standing about at intervals along the sidewalks. Grocery stores, druggist shops, markets, livery stables and tenements line the narrow crowded streets and, together, make up one of the most elaborate and typically English scenes ever reproduced on this side of the Atlantic. The film is to be three reels in length, and will probably he released within the nest sixty days.