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Kidnapped before the big race? That's just Tuesday for 1925's most chaotic driver.
TMDB
70

Speed Mad (1925)

silent-era chaosgrease-stained romancevillainous mustaches

Overview

ActionDramaRomance

Bill Sanford (William Fairbanks), a daredevil race-car driver, is abducted by his main competitor Alan Lawson (Lloyd Whitlock) and his henchmen, on the eve of a race he hopes will win him $5,000. But he escapes his captors and arrives ate the race track just in time to drive his speedster to victory. With the prize money, he saves the father, Charles Hampton (Charles K. French) of his sweetheart Betty Hampton (Edith Roberts) from losing the family.

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Content warning

Standout Aspects

Practical Effects

Genuine 1920s auto racing footage—no faking that death-wish energy.

Stunts

Fairbanks did his own driving. OSHA didn't exist yet, clearly.

Best for:Solo: Perfect 50-minute silent film education for curious cinephiles.·Date Night: Vintage charm with actual stunt driving—impress someone weird.
J

Director

Jay Marchant

ReleasedJul 15, 1925
Runtime50m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensityhigh
Tonelight
Feellight
Columbia Pictures

Top Cast

Edith Roberts

Edith Roberts

Betty Hampton

Lloyd Whitlock

Lloyd Whitlock

Alan Lawson

Melbourne MacDowell

Melbourne MacDowell

John Sanford

Charles K. French

Charles K. French

Charles Hampton

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

William Fairbanks was a former Olympic athlete who transitioned to acting—his physical confidence explains the death-defying driving.

Cultural

The $5,000 prize equates to roughly $85,000 today, making this working-class fantasy of instant wealth rescue remarkably specific to 1920s anxieties.

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