A stunt-driven silent melodrama from low-budget producer A. Carlos, The Prince of Pep starred European stunt-man Richard Talmadge as a progressive young medico whose secretary and business manager (Brinsley Shaw) is secretly allied with a dope peddler (Victor Dillingham). After being knocked unconscious by Shaw, the young doctor, suffering from amnesia, develops a dual personality: Jimmy, a slum doctor running a clinic in MacDougal Street with pretty Nola Luxford; and "Black Flash," a mysterious bandit -- loved by Nola -- who robs wealthy gamblers in order to keep the clinic in operation. Shaw discovers this interesting turn of events and plots to kidnap Lola for the ransom. In the ensuing melee, "Jimmy" is knocked unconscious again and regains his memory. Born in Munich, Germany (some sources say Switzerland), Richard Talmadge doubled Douglas Fairbanks before embarking on a fruitful career as a star in his own right. After the changeover to sound, the German-accented Talmadge (né Metzetti) returned to stunt-work and the occasional 2nd unit direction.
by Hans J. Wollstein
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