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  • The Purple Mask (1916)
  • 330 min | Action
The Purple Mask (1916)
330 min | Action

Episode 1: "The Vanished Jewels" Patricia Montez, niece of the wealthy Eleanor Van Nuys, is the most popular girl in the American colony of Paris. Her one idea is to bring comfort to the suffering poor. Her aunt, Mrs. Eleanor Van Nuys, is ...See moreEpisode 1: "The Vanished Jewels" Patricia Montez, niece of the wealthy Eleanor Van Nuys, is the most popular girl in the American colony of Paris. Her one idea is to bring comfort to the suffering poor. Her aunt, Mrs. Eleanor Van Nuys, is likewise charitably inclined. The Children's Asylum, a refuge for orphans, is the principal hobby in Mrs. Van Nuys' scheme of charity. To her friends, Patricia is affectionately known as "Pat." The result of Pat's popularity has been to give the spirited girl an excellent opinion of herself, and when Phil Kelly snubs her she resents it and resolves to go to any length in retaliation. Kelly is a famous detective, known all over Europe as "The Sphinx." Pat's first venture, in retaliation for Kelly's rudeness, is to steal her aunt's jewels. She then notifies Kelly. Pat hides the jewels in her dressing table drawer. They are stolen by Jacques, the butler, who takes them to the rendezvous of his fellow Apaches, the Café Chat Noir. Pat has noticed Jacques' suspicious conduct and follows him to the café. She is followed by Phil Kelly and two of his assistants. Pat is disguised as an Apache's sweetheart, and bribes her cabman to assume the role of her lover. They enter the café and participate in the festivities. Pat sees Jacques displaying to his pals the Van Nuys' heirlooms. By deftly whirling her dancing partner to the table where Jacques sits, she manages to stumble and strike the butler's arm. The jewels fall from Jacques' hands. Pat picks them up and as she is leaving the place Phil Kelly confronts her. In her surprise, Pat drops the gems upon the steps. She dodges past the detective and makes her way home. Kelly observes the jewels lying on the ground, and pocketing them, departs. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Dec 25, 1916

Release date
Dec 25, 1916 (United States)

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Cast

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17 cast members
Name Known for
Francis Ford
Phil Kelly / The Sphinx Phil Kelly / The Sphinx   See fewer
Grace Cunard
Patricia Montez / Queen of the Apaches Patricia Montez / Queen of the Apaches   See fewer
Jean Hathaway
Eleanor Van Nuys Eleanor Van Nuys   See fewer
Peter Gerald
Pete Bartlett, Kelly's Assistant (as Pete Gerald) Pete Bartlett, Kelly's Assistant (as Pete Gerald)   See fewer
Jerome Ash
Bull Sanderson, Kelly's Assistant (as Jerry Ash) Bull Sanderson, Kelly's Assistant (as Jerry Ash)   See fewer
John Featherstone
Stephen Dupont Stephen Dupont   See fewer
John Duffy
Silk Donahue Silk Donahue   See fewer
Monty Banks
Jacques, Patricia's Butler (as Mario Bianchi) Jacques, Patricia's Butler (as Mario Bianchi)   See fewer
Joe Moore
Jack Elliot Jack Elliot   See fewer
Gertrude Short
Mary MacLean Mary MacLean   See fewer
Tom London
Robert Jackson, Inventor (as Leonard Clapham) Robert Jackson, Inventor (as Leonard Clapham)   See fewer
William White
The King The King   See fewer
Philip Ford
Joe Butts Joe Butts   See fewer
Abe Mundon
Wallace Drew Wallace Drew   See fewer
Duke Worne
Duke Hestor Duke Hestor   See fewer
John Ford
Actor (unconfirmed) Actor (unconfirmed)   See fewer
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