The Speeding Venus

Jed Morgan, a Detroit automobile manufacturer, calls in John Steele, a mechanical genius, and Chet Higgins, a promoter, and offers a half interest in profits to the first man to perfect his gear-less motor invention. Emily Dale, Morgan's confidential adviser, prefers Steele and urges him to win, while Higgins calls to his aid a renegade mechanic. Steele places his car on a train, and Higgins plans to wreck it so as to be the first to claim the prize; his plan succeeds, but Morgan is taken ill, giving Steele and Emily time to recondition the car. Emily obtains right-of-way over main roads and permission to speed on a record-breaking trip to California. In spite of attempts to stall her, Emily wins the race, though forced to drive her car through a show window. Steele is rewarded by Morgan with the money and the love of Emily.

Directed by Robert Thornby, The Speeding Venus leans on a strong ensemble — Priscilla Dean, Robert Frazer, Dale Fuller — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 1926.