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Common Ground Synopsis

The Kid, a product of the slums, is employed at an artificial flower factory, as an expert "slipper-on." She possesses a monstrosity of a hat which is the envy of her companions wherever it appears, and she loves it. Judge Evans, a young man of unapproachable character, takes up his residence in the tenement district in order to unearth the man at the head of the vice ring composed of social and political parasites. In reality, he is the father of Doris Mordant, to whom Evans is engaged. Realizing that he must "get" the Judge or be ruined himself, Mordant, assisted by unscrupulous politicians, arranges a plot in which the Kid (whom the Judge has discovered in the tenement where he himself lives), evidently accosts a man on the street. She is taken into Judge Evans' court and to prove his assertion that "there is some good in all of 'em" the Judge tells the Kid to select five companions and he will send them all to his farm for three months. Mordant frames up a scheme to send with them a woman of the streets, and provides her with money and a camera. At the farm, the Kid discovers the girls plotting to secure a compromising picture of the Judge and the woman, but they persuade her to keep still by telling her they will "queer" Evans' engagement to Doris and then he will turn to her, and the Kid's love is so great, she finally acquiesces. Following his trial and disgrace, the Judge falls ill and the Kid cares for him. He learns to love the child of the slums, and her devotion to him is as pitiful as it is sincere. The Kid believes the Judge is pining for Doris, and with her companions, whom she forces into telling the truth, goes to the District Attorney's office and before Mordant, Doris, Evans and others, makes a clean breast of the while affair. Evans' love for Doris is dead and he turns to the Kid, declaring his love. She is taken to the home of the competent woman for one year. Every month the Judge receives a photograph which shows the metamorphosis of both hat and girl. At the end of the year Evans goes to claim as his own the girl who saved him from ruin, and finds her the embodiment of refinement and simplicity.

The Sowers Synopsis

Headed by a young nobleman, the Russian League of Freedom determines to free the peasants from oppression by the government. Prince Paul Alexis is in love with Karin Dolokhof, daughter of the chancellor. Both are working for the league. Shortly after they announce their engagement the prince receives word from the Czar that he must marry the Princess Tanya, for political reasons. Upon receiving the command the prince expresses his intention to leave Russia with Karin Dolokhof, but she reminds him of his allegiance to the freedom league. Princess Tanya is in love with Count Egor Strannik, but under pressure, she discards the count and marries the unwilling prince. Through espionage, the chief of the secret police learns of the prince's affiliation with the freedom league and as Prince Alexis and his wife, Princess Tanya, hold a reception, at which the government heads are present, he sends Count Egor Strannik to secure the evidence. The count, who is still in love with Princess Tanya, tries to force his love upon her, and as he holds her in his arms, Prince Alexis discovers them and beats the count with a knout. For revenge the count, with a band of followers, forces the prince to reveal the hiding place of some important league papers.