The Human Octopus - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

John Kelcey is a supposedly wealthy gentleman, but in reality is president of the Beggars' Union, an organization composed almost entirely of phony cripples, blind men, etc., who prey upon the sympathy of the public. He has a daughter, ...See moreJohn Kelcey is a supposedly wealthy gentleman, but in reality is president of the Beggars' Union, an organization composed almost entirely of phony cripples, blind men, etc., who prey upon the sympathy of the public. He has a daughter, Ruth, who is in love with Tom Horton, a reporter. Kelcey orders Horton from the house. Horton is later assigned to investigate graft conditions in the Tenderloin for his newspaper. He goes disguised as a tramp. While there he falls asleep and some boys place the card of a blind man upon his chest. Later a cripple comes along and through him Tom is made a member of the Beggars' Union. Later Tom gives information to the police which results in a raid. Tom watches for the appearance of the president and trails him to a cheap hotel. There he looks over the transom and recognizes John Kelcey, who has taken off his disguise. The story ends in the threatened exposure of Kelcey by Horton, and Kelcey's consent that Horton pay attention to his daughter. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less