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A Harp in Hock Synopsis

Isaac Abrams, a lonely ghetto pawnbroker, is disliked by most of his neighbors. The only exceptions are Nora Banks, the landlady's charming daughter, and Mrs. Shannon, a poor scrubwoman saving to bring her son Tommy over from Ireland. On the day the child arrives at Ellis Island, his mother is taken fatally ill, and Abrams is becomes his guardian. Tommy, who comes to love Abrams, is taught to care for the shop, barter with the customers, and study. When he beats Snipe Banks, the neighborhood toughie, Mrs. Banks vengefully reports Tommy to the authorities, who remove him to an orphanage and later to an Iowa family. Tommy escapes and returns to the pawnshop. When faced with another parting, Abrams plans to take him away. he is denounced by Mrs. Banks, precipitating a riot, but Dr. Mueller, Nora's suitor, arrives to straighten out matters and Abrams is permitted to adopt the boy.

The Key to Power Synopsis

Bruce Wendell, the son of West Virginia coal mine owner James Wendell, graduates from West Point and prepares to lead a fighting unit to the front during World War I. As his father lies dying, however, he convinces Bruce to remain at home and guard the mine. Bruce's fiancée Ann Blair assumes that he is a coward and breaks off their engagement, but her brother Bobbie remains Bruce's loyal friend. Meyer, a German agent, persuades railroad president Parrish to refuse to transport Wendell's coal, but when Bruce adamantly refuses to close the mine, the spy's men decide to blow it up. While Ann is being abducted by Meyer, Bobbie is buried in an explosion at the mine. Bruce rescues Bobbie and then sends a plea to Lieutenant Parrish to rescue Ann. Meyer and his gang are captured and Ann renews her vow of love to Bruce.