The Grip of Crime - Production & Contact Info

The Grip of Crime (1916)
Short | Short, Drama

The Grip of Crime (1916)

Short | Short, Drama

Giovano Marro, an old Italian, earns his living as a knife grinder and looks after his little 6-year-old granddaughter Santa Marro. They are poor and Santa does all the housework and helps him eke out their existence by taking in boarders....See moreGiovano Marro, an old Italian, earns his living as a knife grinder and looks after his little 6-year-old granddaughter Santa Marro. They are poor and Santa does all the housework and helps him eke out their existence by taking in boarders. Among them is Giordo Colombo, who is supposedly a day-laborer, but in reality is a member of a blackmailing society which preys upon the rich Italians of the vicinity. The police have been hot on the trail of this gang, but have been unsuccessful in getting a line on them. The head of the Italian detective squad is Lieutenant Giolito, a young man of keen mind and kind heart. Giordo learns of the retirement from business of a rich Italian, and he and his gang plan to blackmail him. He is afraid to write any more letters himself, as the police already have several samples of his handiwork, but have not been able to prove them to be his. He therefore thinks of a scheme to make another write the letters and act as the go-between, and hits upon the idea of making old Giovano do it. When the old man refuses Giordo tells him that he is already an accomplice of the gang in the eyes of the law, as he houses them. Still the old man remains firm, but when Giordo threatens to take him away from little Santa he agrees to write the letter. It happens one day while Lieutenant Giolito is driving his police automobile through the streets that he knocks little Santa down. He takes her home and meets her grandfather. A friendship springs up between them. Being naturally fond of children, the police officer and the little girl become chums and she frequently visits him at the station house and he often calls upon her and her grandfather. Giordo meantime brings his plans to a head and the blackmailing letter having been sent to the rich merchant, the gang wait for his reply. The merchant goes with the letter to the police and he is referred to Lieutenant Giolito, who advises him to place the money they demand in a package and leave it in the spot they designate, but to mark the bills. This is done and he rests the case in the hands of the police. Giovano is ordered by the gang to act as the go-between and bring the money back. He goes to the designated spot, finds the package of money, pockets it and starts away when he is arrested by Lieutenant Giolito and his detectives. Giovano admits his part in the crime, but is fearful if he implicates the others and remains silent. He asks one favor, that he may see his little granddaughter. His request is granted and she is sent for. She begs to know why her grandfather is under arrest, but Lieutenant Gioloto tells her she would not understand. She becomes very angry and decries her friend as an enemy. This is too much for the lieutenant and he takes the child in his arms and explains that her grandfather is under arrest as a member of the "Mafia," a terror known to all Italian children. She asks if it had anything to do with writing a letter and the lieutenant asks her what she means. She tells him that her grandfather did it "'cause Giordo made him." Questioned further, she tells them that one night she overheard an argument between her grandfather and the Italians in which the old man refused to write a letter for them, and she heard them threaten him. She ran into the room, but was told that it was all a joke, and so she went back to bed. She then asks the lieutenant if the plot also had to do with getting a package of money from under a rock. This is the culminating evidence in favor of the old man and Giolito sends his men for Giordo, who is soon rounded up. Under a severe grilling he tells all he knows and he corroborates what the little girl has said. He is therefore set free as a State's witness. The gang are sent up and little Santa and the police lieutenant remain friends, he seeing to it that the old man and little girl want for nothing. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
5 cast members

Name	Known for
Thomas Jefferson Giovano Marro Giovano Marro See fewer	Tarzan of the Apes (1918)
Lina Basquette Santa Marro (as Lena Basquette) Santa Marro (as Lena Basquette) See fewer	The Godless Girl (1928)
Burton Law Giordo Colombo Giordo Colombo See fewer	Winners of the West (1921)
Frank Newburg Lieutenant Giolito Lieutenant Giolito See fewer	The Story of Cupid (1914)
Zoe Rae Actress (as Zoe Bech) Actress (as Zoe Bech) See fewer	Danger Within (1918)