The Pretender's primary photo
  • The Pretender (1915)
  • Short | Short, Drama
The Pretender (1915)
Short | Short, Drama
Jerry Livingstone, a wealthy recluse, dies, leaving his son Henry the sole heir, the mansion and a considerable fortune, with the provision of an additional larger sum if he marries the old man's ward, Winifred Gale. On hearing this, ...See moreJerry Livingstone, a wealthy recluse, dies, leaving his son Henry the sole heir, the mansion and a considerable fortune, with the provision of an additional larger sum if he marries the old man's ward, Winifred Gale. On hearing this, Winifred writes young Livingstone that she will not be a party to a marriage of convenience. Upon consultation with his lawyers, Livingstone finds that his late father's cattle business in Australia is on the verge of being ruined by unscrupulous managers. He decides to go to Australia at once. Bat Rogers, a scientific crook, reads the accounts of Livingstone's strange will and noting that the young heir intends to leave for Australia, formulates a daring plan. Livingstone boards the steamer, also Rogers and his accomplice, Eric Eccles. Rogers represents himself as a doctor traveling for pleasure. He makes the acquaintance of Livingstone and when they reach the South Seas, pushes him overboard, having first stolen his keys. Rogers installs Eccles in Livingstone's cabin, pretending that Livingstone is ill and that he is attending him. Arrived at Australia, Rogers is successful in getting Eccles ashore in Livingstone's place. He has familiarized himself with Livingstone's mission from study of documents in his trunk. He presents himself to Livingstone's Australian manager as Livingstone, and his identity is never questioned. Meanwhile the real Livingstone was not drowned, but swam a long distance and was picked up by a couple of South Sea Islanders in their canoe. They tattooed him and made him a slave. Five years of this wild life among savages completely transforms Livingstone. The impostor remains in Australia four years in order to adjust Livingstone's affairs. He raises a beard and otherwise alters himself through outdoor life. He disposes of the Australian interests and returns to America, where he establishes himself in Livingstone's home. Coveting the additional fortune which Livingstone was to receive if he married Winifred Gale, Rogers pays her a visit. She instinctively hates Rogers and rejects his proposal. Livingstone is rescued from the island by traders. He returns to America. When he learns that the impostor, Rogers, has taken possession of his property, the real Livingstone asserts himself but is thrown off the premises by Rogers. Drawn by curiosity, Livingstone goes to Winifred Gale's home. He arrives on the night when the impostor is pleading with her to marry him. When she refuses, the impostor attempts to force his attentions, but Livingstone, seeing this through the window, rushes in and overpowers Rogers. This awakens keen gratitude in Winifred, and she falls in love with Livingstone, not knowing his real identity. Livingstone brings suit to displace the impostor. Eccles, Rogers' accomplice, sees in the trial an opportunity to blackmail Rogers and thus extracts considerable money. Livingstone is unable to present conclusive evidence to establish his identity and he loses the suit. Winifred, loving him for himself, becomes his wife. The impostor, annoyed by Eccles' demands for hush money, lays a trap to kill him, but the accomplice escapes and out of revenge goes to Livingstone with an agreement to expose the impostor. The court hears the new evidence and Rogers is convicted of criminal conspiracy and sent to prison. Livingstone at last comes into his inheritance and he and his wife acquire the additional fortune willed them by the father. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Fred Kelsey (as Fred A. Kelsey)
Writer
Bernard McConville (scenario)
See all filmmakers & crew (2)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jul 24, 1915
Release date
Jul 24, 1915 (United States)

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Cast

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6 cast members
Name Known for
George Walsh's primary photo
George Walsh
Bat Rogers Bat Rogers   See fewer
A Manhattan Knight (1920)
Vester Pegg's primary photo
Vester Pegg
Eric Eccles (as Vester Perry) Eric Eccles (as Vester Perry)   See fewer
Bare Fists (1919)
Felix Modjeska's primary photo
Felix Modjeska
Henry Livingstone Henry Livingstone   See fewer
Charlotte Corday (1914)
Elsie de Wolfe's primary photo
Elsie de Wolfe
Winifred Gale Winifred Gale   See fewer
For Love of Mary Ellen (1915)
Ben Lewis's primary photo
Ben Lewis
Actor Actor   See fewer
A Sister of Six (1916)
John T. Dillon's primary photo
John T. Dillon
Actor (as Jack Dillon) Actor (as Jack Dillon)   See fewer
Seven Days (1914)
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