Compare Films

A Mother's Sin Synopsis

Because of his close resemblance to his mother, who years earlier had left his father for another man, Patrick Yardley is shunned and finally disinherited. Yardley, Sr., prefers his young nephew, Vincent Tessier, who has ingratiated himself to the old man, and has been bequeathed his entire estate. Learning that Patrick is penniless, the mother of his sweetheart, Celia Graham, urges her daughter to abandon him in favor of Vincent. Having lost everything, Patrick leaves England, but in his absence, his father discovers that Vincent, masquerading as Patrick, has betrayed a young woman. Remorsefully, Yardley prepares a new will, but because he dies before presenting it to his lawyer, everything is left to Vincent. Later, however, a friend discovers the final will, and Vincent is ousted from the estate and later killed by Maxton, Patrick's valet. Finally, Celia, who loved Patrick all along, joins him.

The Defeat of the City Synopsis

Robert Walmsley, at the end of six years in the city, has won fortune, fame, and Alice Van Der Pool, a "daughter of the old burghers, high and cool and white and inaccessible." So Robert feels that he has achieved the ultimate end of success and happiness. Alice finds a letter written to Robert by his mother, a letter straight from home, full of farm lore and gossip. She prevails upon Robert to take her for a visit to the farm. Robert is dismayed at the prospect, fearing Alicia will be shocked at the crudeness of his rural atavism. There his wife sits silent and immovable while Robert cuts ridiculous capers. Alicia presently ascends to her room. Robert, suddenly feeling that he is disgraced in her eves, and that he has been unmasked by his own actions and that "all the polish, the poise, the form that the city has given him has fallen from him like an ill-fitting mantle at the first breath of a country breeze," grows quiet. Presently he follows Alicia upstairs, prepared to meet his fate. He knew the rigid lines that a Van Der Pool would draw She is standing at the window, in the twilight. Robert silently takes his place beside her. "Robert," said the cool, calm voice of his judge, "I thought I married a gentleman," Alicia steps closer to Robert. "But," she continues, "I find that I have married something better, a man. Bob, dear, kiss me, won't you?"