The Celebrated Case - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Jean Renaud, a young peasant, marries Madeline, the foster sister of the Countess d'Aubeterre, who presents Madeline with a beautiful necklace as a wedding present. Seven years after, Jean goes to war and wins fame through taking the ...See moreJean Renaud, a young peasant, marries Madeline, the foster sister of the Countess d'Aubeterre, who presents Madeline with a beautiful necklace as a wedding present. Seven years after, Jean goes to war and wins fame through taking the British flag at the Battle of Fontenoy. While searching for a comrade on the field that evening after the battle, he rescues the Count de Mornay from the hands of a camp follower, named Lazare. The Count then entrusts his family papers and jewels to Jean and begs him to take care of them, giving Jean a sum of money for himself. Jean takes the jewels and papers and decides to carry them home and give them to Madeline for safe keeping, his home being in the vicinity. His wife and little daughter Adrienne are overjoyed to see him. Jean confides the jewels and papers of the Count de Mornay to Madeline, who places them in the casket with the necklace. She locks the drawer and puts the key in her pocket, neither he nor she being aware that Lazare is watching them from the window. Jean hastens back to camp. Before Madeline can bolt the door Lazare rushes in, demands that Madeline open the drawer and upon her refusal threatens to kill her. Little Adrienne, aroused by the noise, calls for her mamma. In the struggle, Madeline drops the key to the drawer. Lazare picks it up, obtains the casket and is about to leave when Madeline throws herself upon him. He stabs her and runs off. Madeline crawls to the door of Adrienne's room. The child rushes out, and Madeline expires while trying to tell Adrienne who murdered her. The child's frightened calls for help are answered by the neighbors, and Adrienne, in answer to their questions, tells them her father was home that night. The next day Jean is accused of murder by the seneschal, and is confronted by his own child, who corroborates the charge that he had been home. Jean cannot deny it. He tells why he went home, but his story is not believed. He is tried by court martial and is sentenced to life imprisonment to the galleys, his life being spared only in consideration of his gallant conduct in battle. He begs his friend and comrade, O'Rourke, to take care of Adrienne. O'Rourke promises to do so and persuades the Duchess D'Aubeterre to adopt Adrienne. Fourteen years later, Jean, while being taken from one prison to another, is allowed to rest on the grounds of his former commander, the Duke D'Aubeterre. He meets his daughter Adrienne there with a school friend, the daughter of de Mornay that Jean aided that fatal night. Adrienne, attracted by some strange impulse, recognizes Jean as her father. After the convicts depart, she determines to prove her father's innocence. By a strange coincidence, that very day Lazare appears as the Count de Mornay to demand the confiscated estates, and lay claim to Valentine as his daughter. He brings the jewels and papers to prove his identity. The Duke D'Aubeterre listens to the pleadings of Adrienne and sends for Jean to confront de Mornay. Adrienne, believing of course that the supposed de Mornay will confirm Jean's story and thus establish his innocence. On Jean's arrival, Lazare denies all knowledge of him, and afraid of being unmasked, decides to leave at once. He starts to pick up the jewels and papers where he has placed them while talking to the Duke, and Jean sees Madeline's necklace and the jewels. He shows it to the Duchess, who recognizes the necklace. Lazare, realizing that his exposure is imminent, starts to flee, but is stopped by the Duke and put under arrest. Jean's innocence is proved, and he is at last restored to his daughter and happiness. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less