The Wire Tappers's primary photo
  • The Wire Tappers (1907)
  • Short | Short, Crime, Drama
Primary photo for The Wire Tappers
The Wire Tappers (1907)
Short | Short, Crime, Drama
We first see the intended victim, supposedly a banker, sitting at work in his office. A card is brought him, and. By his instructions, a caller is admitted, who proves to be a crook well known in New York under the cognomen of the "King of...See moreWe first see the intended victim, supposedly a banker, sitting at work in his office. A card is brought him, and. By his instructions, a caller is admitted, who proves to be a crook well known in New York under the cognomen of the "King of the Wire Tappers." He explains to the banker that he is the sole possessor of a system by which the betting ring and pool rooms can be beaten, and immense sums of money secured without risk or possibility of loss. Following his natural inclination the banker indignantly refuses to entertain the proposition, but at length consents to listen to the specious arguments advanced by the crook, and finally consents to go into the scheme, which is to prove his undoing. The wire tapper and his victim go out to complete the necessary arrangements. The home of the wire tapper is next seen, with his confederates, male and female, assembled and waiting for an opportunity to ply their dishonest trade. Our two friends enter and the banker is introduced to all present. Two of the confederates leave the room, and re-enter with the implements of their craft: wires, switches, cut-offs, tools and telegraphic implements. They invite him to the roof of the building in order that a practical demonstration may be given of the manner in which racing news is illegitimately secured by the method known as "choking the wire," showing how the message is cut off and held up, giving the conspirators time to place their wages on the winning horse in the pool room below before the news has been generally disseminated. An unusually realistic view is given of the wire tappers at work on the roof, completely convincing the banker of their ability to obtain the desired information, so much so that he immediately pays a visit to the bank of which he is president and, drawing a large sum of money, accompanies his new found friends to put into operation as quickly as possible the "get-rich-quick" scheme which they have taught him. The vivid reality of the pool room scene next shown will appeal to all who have ever "played the ponies" or indulged in stock gambling. There is seen the blackboard on which the names of the horses, the odds, the race track and the final information is recorded, and showing the cashier's desk, the clerks who enter the bets, and the hangers-on of an ordinary pool room. The first result which comes over the wire is what is commonly known as the "convincer"; in other words, the victim is allowed to win the first bet, and congratulations are showered upon him. The next bet, however, is to be the "killing." Inside information taken in advance from the wire is given to the unfortunate banker, and he is urged to bet his entire pile on the result before the pool room proprietors get wise to the fact that inside information is being distributed. He complies and, as a result, loses every dollar that he has dishonestly drawn from the bank for the purpose, and, just as he realizes the disaster which has overtaken him, the doors are burst open and the pool room is raided by a party of police. All found are taken away to account for their presence before the judge, and the disgrace so keenly felt by the unfortunate business man, together with the loss of the money which belongs to the bank, is sufficient to account for the desperate course he adopts to end his troubles. Written by Selig catalog See less
Read more: Plot summary
Producer
William Nicholas Selig
See all filmmakers & crew (1)
Trending

Become a member to see MOVIEmeter and news information about The Wire Tappers.

Contacts

+ Add

Become a member to see contact information for The Wire Tappers.

Cast

 + Add Cast
0 cast members

Contribute to this section by adding a cast member

Add cast
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.

MOVIEmeter

Members only

Become a member to access additional data

Ratings Breakdown

+ Add external reviews