The Pirates of Finance - Production & Contact Info

The Pirates of Finance (1916)
Short | Short, Drama

Primary photo for The Pirates of Finance

The Pirates of Finance (1916)

Short | Short, Drama

Stanford Stone, the last of the Graft Trust, and head of the Mighty Money Trust, is preparing to create a panic in the money market to discredit the activities of Harding against organized big interests, and at the same time to crush ...See moreStanford Stone, the last of the Graft Trust, and head of the Mighty Money Trust, is preparing to create a panic in the money market to discredit the activities of Harding against organized big interests, and at the same time to crush Harding and anyone who may be in sympathy with him. Harding also is gathering his forces for a last great effort. Being a resident and a voter, he is entitled to hold office. The philanthropists, whom he had interested in the milk battle, are also interested in the Reform Political Party. They induce Harding to accept the nomination of their party for Mayor of New York. Dorothy Maxwell is seated before the open fire, looking at a magazine cartoon of the money monster crushing the people. Suddenly the figures in the cartoon become animated. A crowd of men are toiling in the sand, dressed in garments worn by the slaves of the period when the great pyramid was built. Stone, as King of that period, stands over the workers with a large club, the money power club, and when one of the workers finds a precious food stone and attempts to quit the struggle and enjoy it in the shade, Stone goes to him, knocks him down with his club and takes the stone from him, tossing it on a great pile of stones that he has collected in that way. A stranger halts near the workers. Dorothy recognizes him as Harding. The stranger asks the workers why they submit to the brutality of their master. They reply that they fear the club. The stranger tells them that they have a more powerful weapon at their very feet, and points to a sword lying there. This sword is the law. But the slaves are too fearful or too stupid to use it, so the stranger raises the heavy sword and starts toward the King. The latter comes forth to battle with a confident smile. The stranger is both courageous and strong, yet he finds it difficult to reach his adversary with the sword, while the club, in the skillful hands of the King, knocks him to the earth again and again. He retires to the workers all but beaten and examines the sword that has proved so ineffective. He gives a shout of joy as he discovers the cause. A long chain attached to the handle of the sword is in the hands of the King and when a blow is aimed at him, he has but to pull on the chain and the blade of the sword is turned upwards. The stranger calls on the workers to help him detach the chain from the sword. They fall to it with a will and soon have it free. The stranger then strides forward and this time has no trouble in dispatching the cruel King. The workers are freed and allowed to go their own way toward happiness. Dorothy wakes from her dream. Stone and the big bankers dominating the Clearing House Committee, which in turn exercises arbitrary power over the finances of the country, start a panic and destroy a number of solvent banks. He also bitterly opposes the election of Harding. In spite of all, Harding is carried into office on a landslide of reform. Stone's power is broken and he prepares to flee. He visits the office of the Graft Trust, and sitting alone staring into the future, seems to see the ghosts of former members seated about the long table, their bony fingers pointed toward him. He rises in terror and quits the place, fearing he is losing his mind. All his preparations for fleeing the country are made and now his thoughts turn toward Dorothy Maxwell. Throughout the bitter struggle against right, his feelings for her have undergone many changes. He has loved, hated and feared her, now his chief feeling is desire and he determines to kidnap her and take her with him. He instructs Dunn and two other men to kidnap Dorothy and place her in a closed auto that will be waiting outside the Maxwell home. The chauffeur will then drive to the dock when the tramp steamer, Arrow, bound for Africa, is ready to sail. Stone intends to take Dorothy into exile with him. Dorothy has saved Harding's life on two occasions during the election and he calls to thank her in person. He arrives in time to prevent Dunn and two other men from carrying out Stone's plan. From the frightened Dunn, Harding wrings a full confession. He determines to lose no time in rounding up the master crook. With Dorothy and Stevens, he gets into the auto found at the door and orders the chauffeur to drive to the dock. There they await the coming of Stone, ready to arrest him when he puts in an appearance to secure Dorothy. Two hours pass. The Arrow sails and Stone does not arrive. Harding, Dorothy and Stevens leave the auto, convinced that Stone has escaped. They repair to a nearby restaurant for a bite after their long wait. After they have gone, the chauffeur who drove them, gets out of the auto, removes his goggles and then slips quietly away. The chauffeur was Stone. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

Contacts

+ Add

Become a member to see contact information for The Pirates of Finance.

Cast	+ Add Cast
6 cast members

Name	Known for
Richard Stanton Robert Harding Robert Harding See fewer	Graft (1915)
Jane Novak Dorothy Maxwell Dorothy Maxwell See fewer	Colleen of the Pines (1922)
Glen White Stanford Stone Stanford Stone See fewer	Camille (1917)
E.P. Evers Dunn Dunn See fewer	Drugged Waters (1916)
Jack Abbott Jack Stevens Jack Stevens See fewer	Graft (1915)
Yona Landowska The Maid The Maid See fewer	Mister 44 (1916)