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How Callahan Cleaned Up Little Hell
(1915) United States of America
B&W : Short film
Directed by Tom Santschi
Cast: Tom Santschi [John Callahan], Lafe McKee [Jim McFarlin], Harold Howard [Jimmie Collins], Dick le Strange (Richard L’Estrange) [Tom Gourley], Ralph McComas [Jim O’Neil], Marion Warner [Mary Callahan], Gordona Bennett (Gordona Bennet) [Mrs. Callahan]
The Selig Polyscope Company, Incorporated, production; distributed by [?] V-L-S-E, Incorporated, or The General Film Company, Incorporated? / Produced by William N. Selig. Scenario by I.K. Freedman. / Released 3 June 1915. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format.
Drama.
Synopsis: [?] [From The Moving Picture World]? When Jimmie Collins, a pickpocket, is arrested and brought before Captain Callahan of the Tenth, he is surprised because he is lodged in a cell. Jimmie claims acquaintanceship with Bill McFarlin, a corrupt political boss, and he sneers at Captain Callahan when he is ordered to be placed behind the cell bars. Jimmie gets word to Boss McFarlin, who confidently visits Captain Callahan and says: “One of your men arrested a little friend of mine on the cars and I want you to let him go.” McFarlin is astonished and vows immediate reprisal when Captain Callahan refuses to free the pickpocket. Boss McFarlin seeks the advice of an unscrupulous lawyer, and a writ of habeas corpus is issued for the body of Jimmie Collins. This move is circumvented by Captain Callahan, who transfers Collins into the custody of a sergeant in charge of a suburban police station. Collins is finally convicted and sent to prison. Boss McFarlin seeks to have Callahan removed from the office through the influence of his friend, the mayor. The mayor tells him he cannot remove the captain as he stands high in public esteem. However, the mayor, the chief of police and Boss McFarlin plot against Captain Callahan, and the result of their machinations is shown when Callahan is ordered by the chief of police to take charge of an unlawful city district, known as “Little Hell.” When Captain Callahan takes charge of Little Hell, the papers predict a clean-up of the district, and Jim O’Neil, boss of Little Hell, becomes anxious. With Captain Callahan’s assumption of authority in Little Hell, the work of reformation begins, and Boss O'Neil arrives at the conclusion that Callahan is disgruntled because no graft has been offered him. Jake Stahl, chief henchman of the boss, is arrested for conducting a disorderly resort. Boss O’Neil and a brewery agent intercede for Stahl, but Callahan remains firm. O’Neil hurls a threat at the captain as he files out of the room. Mary, daughter of Captain Callahan, undergoes a difficult and expensive operation. The bill for professional services rendered amounts to $300. Added to this expense, there comes a letter from mortgage brokers informing Callahan that the interest and part principal of the mortgage on his little home, amounting to $699.54, is due and payable at once. Callahan is worried because he has no funds to meet all of these expenses. The letter from the mortgage brokers was instigated by Boss O’Neil. O’Neil calls at the Callahan home and leaves a package of bank notes. Callahan tells his wife, “If I keep this money, I shall belong to O’Neil body and soul, but the home is yours as well as mine. What shall I do?” Mrs. Callahan tells her husband to return the money. News of Callahan’s financial difficulties have caused his old comrades on the police force to get busy, and they raise the funds to lift the mortgage, much to the chagrin of Boss O’Neil, who tells Gourley, another henchman, that it is worth a thousand dollars to him to put Callahan out of the way. Gourley indicates his willingness to do the job, and is given half the money in advance. Two days before election, it appears that O’Neil’s candidate for office may be defeated. The political machine starts to grind and no effort is spared to put across the O’Neil candidate. The night before election day. Tom Gourley’s mother is seized with illness, and Gourley explains to O’Neil that the reason he could not appear sooner at the polls was because of that fact. Excitement increases during the day of election and there are many riots. Gourley overhears O’Neil and another henchman plotting his downfall, saying that he knows too much. Gourley confronts O’Neil and his henchman with drawn revolver. An altercation ensues, and Callahan arrives on the scene. O’Neil, Gourley and others are arrested. Callahan, however, permits Gourley to see his sick mother before going to jail, and thus wins the gratitude of the henchman. Toughs assault Callahan, and he is being overcome, when Gourley returns from his home and saves Callahan’s life. Gourley then goes to Callahan, and says, “Hereafter you and me’s pals. Say the word and me and you cleans up Little Hell.”
Survival status: (unknown)
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Listing updated: 14 August 2023.
References: Sloan-Loud pp. 31, 149 : Website-IMDb.
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