The Whispering Chorus

Plot

As described in a film magazine, John Tremble (Hatton), cashier in a contracting concern, succumbs to temptation and steals $1000 from his employer. He runs away and hides when he begins to fear detection to an isolated island where he becomes a bit of human driftwood. While fishing he finds the body of a dead man and, listening to the voice of evil, he exchanges clothes and then mutilates the head of the corpse. The finding of the body is reported to his family and he begins life anew. The police continue to search for the murderer and Tremble is finally brought to trial. Meanwhile, Jane Tremble (Williams), his former wife, has become the wife of the governor and does not recognize John Tremble when she sees him in court. After a dramatic trial, John Tremble is found guilty of his own murder, and nobly meets death in the electric chair rather than bring unhappiness to his former wife.

Cast

Reception

Like many American films of the time, The Whispering Chorus was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors cut, in Reel 2, a closeup of the alteration of the ledger, theft of money, Reel 4, striking man in face with bottle, two scenes of young woman in kimono enticing man and pulling him towards room, Reel 5, policeman striking man in face twice, and, Reel 7, two scenes of pulling lever for electric chair.