The Mysterious Contragrav
synopsis from The Moving Picture World (April 3, 1915)
First off, this might have to be one of my all-time favorite titles.
The Moving Picture World was a trade journal aimed at the exhibitors rather than movie fans of the time. It would very often serve up a film's synopsis as given to them by the studios. The summary that they published is a little too lengthy to duplicate in entirety. The first paragraph gives a excellent job of describing the gist of the film, though -
"Coxheim, an inventor of renown, and master of negative electricity, after many years of hard labor and deep study, succeeds in inventing an electrical device that resists gravitation. His son, Willard, and daughter, Laline, both expert aviators, have rendered their father valuable assistance in perfecting his invention, through their knowledge of air currents. Laline suggests to their father that it be called the contragrav - that is, contrary to gravitation. Among the invited guests at the demonstration for government officials is a person name Laloud, who, unknown to the officials and the inventor, increases his income by selling government secrets to the highest bidder. Laloud visits the agent of a foreign government and, for a consideration, informs him of the existence of the contragrav."
The rest of the story is about the theft of the contragrav and it's return to safe hands. One scene must have been great to watch. Willand and Laline are in a plane after recapturing the stolen device. The plane, with Willard inside, is shot down but not before Laline has jumped to safety with the contragrav attached to her.
I've checked with the Library of Congress and another source or two. However, I don't know if this title is extant or not.
written: 1/25/2004