D・W・グリフィス監督初期作品の一つながら現在DVDで発売されているグリフィス短編集（キノ・インターナショナル社の『バイオグラフ短編集（Griffith Masterworks: Biograph Shorts）』、映画保存協会の『発見の日々（Griffith: Years of Discovery 1908-1914）』、グレープヴァイン社の『監督グリフィス（D.W. Griffith: Director）』シリーズ）いずれにも収められていない作品。
BETTY’S fiance, a railroad detective, is called out of town on private business and leaves his handcuffs in the care of the girl telegrapher. Shortly after the detective’s departure Betty receives a message to be on the lookout for Smoke-Up Smith, a notorious thief — a full description being given. Smith appears at the station, feeling assured that he will not be recognized and engages quarters at a nearby boarding house.
Betty, fully convinced that Smith is the person described in the message, slips the handcuffs into her pocket and goes over to the boarding house, where the happy-go-lucky thief is playing “blind man’s buff » with the young boarders. This gives Betty an opportunity to slip the irons on Smith and he immediately shows his true identity by the disturbance he causes, ere he is imprisoned in the station.
Smith manages to escape and, entering a locomotive, speeds down the track and out of the yards. Betty, however, discovers the flight of the thief and hastens to another engine, prevailing upon the engineer to steam up and follow in pursuit. A thrilling chase takes place and the criminal is captured. As the locomotive returns with the prisoner, the detective steps off a train and taking charge of “Smoke-Up,’’ congratulates the young operator on her bravery.
蒸気機関車を大きく扱い、駅構内に勤める女性を主人公としたアクションドラマ、という非常にピンポイントな短編映画がハリウッドでは1911年頃から盛んに作られるようになりました。その嚆矢となったのがグリフィスの『女の叫び』（The Lonedale Operator、バイオグラフ社、1911年）で、この流れはすぐにハリウッド史上最長の連続活劇『ヘレンの冒険』（The Hazards of Helen、カレム社、1914年）へと繋がっていきます。
カレム社はこの時期に同系統の作品（『1862年鉄道急襲事件秘話（The Railroad Raiders of ’62）』『時との闘い（A Race with Time）』）を幾つか作っており、ここで蓄積されたノウハウが『ヘレンの冒険』を生み出していきました。米連続活劇が好きなら見ておいて損のない作品だと思います。
JANE NOVAK was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and is a graduate of the famous Notre Dame Convent of that city. Her father was a newspaper editor in St. Louis and offered no objections when youthful Jane suggested she become an actress. Vaudeville offered her the first opportunity, and later she entered the musical comedy field. Los Angeles beckoned and beautiful Jane made her debut in pictures, appearing with great success in « Eyes of the World. » Finally she became leading lady for William S. Hart, and then graduated to stardom in her own right. Years of picture work have left no mark upon her, she still possessing that unspoiled charm which characterized her first public appearance. She is a splendid swimmer, plays golf excellently, is the mother of a wonderful daughter, and is 5 feet 7 inches tall. She weighs 125 lbs., has blond hair and expressive blue eyes.
Famous film folk; a gallery of life portraits and biographies (New York; George H. Doran company, 1925.)
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies ;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes :
Thus mellow’d to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
