Deep Archive Finds Movies That Echo the Spirit of Beatrice Fairfax Episode 9: Outside the Law: Cult Guide

The Beatrice Fairfax Episode 9: Outside the Law Phenomenon

As a pivotal work in United States cinema, Beatrice Fairfax Episode 9: Outside the Law to challenge the status quo through its avant-garde structure.

Simeon Gold, editor of "The Vampire," a scandal weekly, is seated in his office. Madeline Grey, a pretty young matron, enters. She has been summoned by Gold, who has in his possession some indecent letters she wrote to another man, prior to her marriage. Gold demands a large sum of money for them, under threat of publishing them. She is unable to secure the money and, terrified, writes to Beatrice Fairfax for advice. Beatrice shows the letter to Jimmy Barton, and they decide to go together to Mrs. Gold's home and from her learn her story. Jimmy later calls on Gold under pretext of interviewing him for his paper. The only information he gets from the blackmailer is that he keeps all of his private papers in his bedroom. Jimmy watches the Gold home and forms the acquaintance of the vegetable man. By a liberal use of money the vegetable man consents to let Jimmy take his place. Thus disguised. Jimmy gains access to the Gold kitchen and makes love to the maid. She is baking a pie, and while her back is turned, Jimmy secures an impression of the key to the kitchen door in a piece of dough. That night Jimmy, learning that all of the Gold household is out, visits the house. Beatrice, despite his protests, accompanies him. They have assured Mrs. Grey that her letters will be returned to her within a few hours. Meantime Gold again visits her. He demands the money. In her eagerness to ward him off she declares she will have the letters within a short time despite him. Gold, alarmed by the threat, hurries home. There is a light in his bedroom. Taking his chauffeur with him, he hurries there and surprises Beatrice. She and Jimmy have just located the Grey letters in the hall safe, but have not secured them. Beatrice pretends she is a friend of Mrs. Grey. Gold backs her into an adjoining room and leaves the chauffeur to guard her. Then returning to the bedroom, he takes the letters from the safe. Jimmy is hiding behind a curtain and when Gold turns, he finds himself looking into the muzzle of a revolver. Before he can move, Jimmy deals him a blow that renders him unconscious and secures the letters. Beatrice and the chauffeur in the next room hear him fall. The chauffeur rushes to his side, but also finds a revolver at his head. The maid, who has returned, enters the room, sees Jimmy and collapses as she exclaims: "It's the vegetable man.'' With the letters, Jimmy and Beatrice back out of the room and escape. They hurry to Mrs. Grey, who burns the letters as the episode ends.