Ernest Haigh(1871-1938)

Ex-Detective Chief Inspector Ernest Haigh, formerly of Scotland Yard was a colourful storyteller who in the early 1920's wrote regular articles for The Detective Magazine. To pay off his debts, Haigh also agreed to write wildly-sensationalised crime film scripts for the Frederick White Company. Made aware of his actions, the Metropolitain Police attempted to suppress the films by filing legal actions and threatening to remove Haigh's pension entitlements. Haigh though, resigned from the police force and eventually wrote a whole series of film scripts entitled Secrets of Scotland Yard which featured himself in over a dozen of these popular British silent movies. Usually directed by Edward Gordon, he played himself in "Lost, Stolen or Strayed"(1921), a British two reeler that also featured actors Geoffrey Benstead and Suzanne Morris. He also appeared in "The Prodigal Son"(1921), "The Girl Who Came Back"(1921), "Mother's Darling"(1921), "The Lady in Black"(1921) and "Fight in a Thieve's Kitchen"(1921).