Convict No. 796 - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Arrested, tried and convicted, the criminal is brought before the judge for sentence, which is given by his honor and is heartily denounced by the prisoner, seized by the officer and hurried to the penitentiary. The convict, who is number ...See moreArrested, tried and convicted, the criminal is brought before the judge for sentence, which is given by his honor and is heartily denounced by the prisoner, seized by the officer and hurried to the penitentiary. The convict, who is number "796," proves to be a very fractious one, constantly in trouble with his fellows. With the chain gang, "796" is put to work in a quarry, and is disturbed by a convict working beside him. He becomes enraged and strikes him with the sledge hammer and fells him to the ground. Seized by the guards, the ugly prisoner is put in solitary confinement. Unnoticed, he flies through and removes the bars of his cell window and escapes with a set purpose of killing the judge who sentenced him. His escape is discovered and the prison guards start in pursuit. The convict secures a disguise and makes his way to the judge's house, where he finds the judicial representative at work in his library. Sneaking up behind him, he strikes him insensible, binds and gags him. With deliberation and hatred, "796" draws a knife from his belt and is about to kill the judge when he hears, floating in silvery notes and sweet, soft voice, the words and music of "Lead, Kindly Light, Amid the Encircling Gloom." The hand of the convict is arrested and the knife drops from his hand as his ears catch the singing of the hymn by the judge's daughter in an upper room. He bends forward to listen and hears, "The night is dark and I am far from home, lead Thou me on." The words have reached him, and the conscience-stricken man picks up his knife, releases the judge and breaks down in tears of remorse and repentance. The administrator of justice reaches forth his hand in pity and mercy, telling him to brace up and be a man. At this moment the officers have traced the culprit to the home of "His Honor," and when they are admitted, rush into the room to seize their prisoner. The judge stays their advance to grant the felon's request to meet the sweet singer of "Lead, Kindly Light." The daughter of the judge comes upon the scene and sings once more for the wretched man, who seems to have awakened to his better self. Quietly submitting to arrest, he is led away by his prison guards. The judge and his daughter are deeply affected. The daughter, who makes weekly missions to the prison, finds an eager and sincere auditor in "Convict 796" Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less