Capital Punishment - Production & Contact Info

Capital Punishment (1915)
Short | Short, Drama

Capital Punishment (1915)

Short | Short, Drama

Olive and her sister, Vivian are admired by Jim Armsby. He finally decides on Vivian. Judge Baxley, the father of the girls, is considering serious political problems with his secretary, Duncan, who has long been an admirer of Olive. ...See moreOlive and her sister, Vivian are admired by Jim Armsby. He finally decides on Vivian. Judge Baxley, the father of the girls, is considering serious political problems with his secretary, Duncan, who has long been an admirer of Olive. Duncan declares to Baxley that two things are necessary for his political success: the first, to stop Governor Clayton's Anti-Capital Punishment Bill, and the second, to give him the hand of Olive. On both of these propositions Judge Baxley looks with approval. Olive sees Jim Armsby place a ring upon the finger of Vivian, and turns away disheartened. Her father, seeing her disappointment, cheers her with the thought that she is loved by another. Governor Clayton again commutes a death sentence, enraging Judge Baxley, who had imposed the sentence, and bringing matters to crisis in the Governor's office. Whereupon the Governor declares that, after the people have spoken at the coming special election on the question of capital punishment he will abide by their will and never again interfere with the sentences imposed. Duncan has difficulty in working his suit with Olive, who resents his approaches, and finally he turns to the madam of the gambling palace, which he frequents, who suggests getting Vivian into a compromising situation and then Olive will turn to him for Vivian's sake and the family's name. Duncan takes Vivian on a long-promised sightseeing trip to the gambling house. She is soon lured by the place, gambles and loses all. Duncan gives her more money and slowly gets her into his hands. Realizing the situation at last, Vivian, to save herself, gives Duncan a forged check in her father's name, which he keeps as a double hold on her, and, facing Olive with these facts, she slowly succumbs to his demands. The wedding of Jim and Vivian is postponed as Jim detects the working out of Duncan's treachery and discovers suspicious actions on the part of Vivian. Olive is married to Duncan. Olive is heard by Jim and some guests to make serious threats and to declare to Vivian that the wedding is to protect her. In the hotel Olive faces Duncan, demanding the forged check, which he gives her. She sends the same to her sister and, taking revolver, is about to end her own life. Vivian receives the check and a letter which seems to indicate that Olive is to commit a crime. Jim, getting the epistle as Vivian collapses and dies. Jim reaches the hotel as a shot is fired in the bridal room. He rushes in and finds Olive on the floor. Others enter the room as Olive declares she has killed Duncan. All look out the window and see his body far below on the pavement. Jim swears that Olive is innocent, saying that he shot Duncan and threw his body from the window. Both are arrested. The trial ends with a verdict of guilt and the sentence to death of Jim Armsby and the freedom of Olive who realizes that Jim is innocent and shielding her. On the day of the crime the populace, voted in favor of capital punishment and Governor Clayton declares he will keep his oath. Judge Baxley and Olive plead with the Governor, but the chief executive of the state refuses to consider anything. The city is stirred over the fact that a young man of wealth and influence is to be executed. Sentiment changes, but the Governor stands firm. Just before the hour of execution, mobs attack the jail and when all hope seems, gone, a telegram comes from an unknown source, declaring that evidence can be furnished to free Jim Armsby. A young man who had witnessed the tragedy from another building was hurrying on with the evidence, but has been prevented by a railroad accident. He is found by Olive, who takes him to the jail, where he meets the Governor, Judge Baxley and others. As Jim leaves the death march, free, the mob outside tears down the prison gates and burn the gallows, while the Governor steps out and smiles on the assemblage and as the blazing gallows illuminate the night scene, speaks: "You destroy what you build; you burn that which you voted to establish; you are better than you knew." Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
7 cast members

Name	Known for
Lenore Ulric Olive Baxley (as Lenore Ulrich) Olive Baxley (as Lenore Ulrich) See fewer	Camille (1936)
John Reinhardt Duncan (as John Reinhard) Duncan (as John Reinhard) See fewer	Feathertop (1916)
Sidney Mason Jim Armsby Jim Armsby See fewer	Orphan Sally (1922)
Flavia Arcaro Vivian Baxley Vivian Baxley See fewer	The Plunderer (1915)
George T. Meech Actor Actor See fewer	His Woman (1919)
T. Morse Koupal Actor Actor See fewer	Out of the Fog (1919)
James Levering Actor Actor See fewer	Kidnapped (II) (1917)