- Speed-mad Hal Locke saves his father's business and the family fortune by driving his car from San Francisco to New York City in the face of insurmountable odds to deliver a check within the required time limit. He thereby thwarts Richard Brownlee, a scheming Wall Street broker, who, through a technicality, plans to take over the business.—AFI
- Hal Locke has a penchant for fast driving, which is frowned upon by his sweetheart, Sylvia Moorhead, and his father. Sylvia's father, John Moorhead, who is in partnership with Hal's father in the Golden Gate Packing Co., also disapproves of Hal's antics. He forbids Sylvia from marrying Hal unless he is cured of his speed tendencies. Sylvia and Hal decide to elope, but their plans fall awry when a policeman gives Hal a ticket for speeding. Meanwhile, Hal's father believes he can direct his son to a useful position in the company. But Hal continues to burn up the roads, constantly attracting front page attention in the newspapers. Grayson and Co., a Wall Street concern run by Howard Grayson, has eyes on the Golden Gate Packing Co. They hold a note for $500,000, which if not paid by a certain day, will enable them to take control of the business. The Packing Company is able to raise the money, and a certified check for the $500,000 is given to Richard Brownlee, the Grayson Company's agent on the Pacific Coast. The check is to be mailed to the firm in New York, but Brownlee deliberately holds up the check until the last possible minute. The check is supposed to be delivered by 12 noon on October 7, but Misters Moorhead and Locke don't discover there is a problem until September 30. In addition, a nationwide rail strike complicates matters even more, and only a miracle will get the check to New York in time. Phone calls to Grayson to extend the deadline prove useless. Hal, learning of the predicament, declares that he will drive to New York and deliver the check on time. Brownlee is determined to use every trick he can to delay Hal. At noon on October 1, Hal starts on his trip, accompanied by his mechanic, Horatio Jackson Lee St. Albans. Hal manages to get out of San Francisco before Brownlee and his partner can intercept him. Once across the bay, Hal's troubles begin. He has to drive through the snow-capped Sierras and Rockies. He is chased by fast cars and an airplane, and obstructions are frequently placed in his way. His tires are punctured and stolen while he is napping, and he is constantly being chased by traffic cops. But he finally reaches New York, on the running board of a firetruck. He delivers the check to Grayson, saving the Golden Gate Packing Company. Then Hal learns he has violated every traffic rule in 17 states, so the New York Police give him a ten day "rest." When the railroad strike ends, Hal's father, accompanied by Sylvia and her parents, come east, and there is a happy ending for Hal and Sylvia.
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