The Maniac (1911)

• 83%
• 1911
• Thriller
• Harry Solter
• Florence Lawrence
• Arthur V. Johnson
• Albert McGovern

This story opens in an insane asylum where two of the inmates, Sam and Johns, are seen mopping the floor. .Johns picked up a newspaper and noticed the engagement of a Miss Dora Elsmore and Mr. Harry Danen. The article stated that Miss Elsmore was an orphan. Johns immediately conceived a scheme whereby he would appear as the long lost father of Miss Elsmore. He and Sara escaped from the asylum and in due time Johns appeared before Dora and proclaimed himself her long lost parent. Being a dutiful daughter, she prepared a comfortable room for him and determined to take care of him for the rest of his life. Dora wrote to Harry, explaining the family disgrace and breaking their engagement. Of course, this letter brought Harry post haste. He begged Dora to allow him to investigate and discover whether this man really was her father. Johns overheard the conversation and filled with maniacal rage, secured a butcher knife, intending to kill Harry. In the chase they met Sam, whom Johns felled with one blow. He also overtook Harry and there was a terrific fight, which ended only when the guards from the asylum arrived. Johns was taken back while Harry rejoined Dora, told her of his experience and urged her to marry him. Dora was still reluctant because now she believed the taint of insanity was in her family. Finally the whole scheme was explained and, of course, the wedding bells rang.