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The Angel Factory Synopsis

In the slums of New York, David Darrow runs a settlement house called "The Angel Factory" in which he tries to help those oppressed by tenement life. In the course of his work, Darrow meets Florence, an innocent young girl of the slums, and is attracted to her sweetness. Betty, Darrow's snobbish fiancée, becomes jealous and invites Florence to a reception, hoping to embarrass the girl. Florence comports herself admirably, however, and wins the respect of all present. The next day, on his way to the settlement house, Darrow is followed by gangster Tony Podessa, a jealous man from Florence's past. As Florence watches the two men confront each other, Tony is killed by a mysterious shot. The police arrive and arrest Darrow for the murder. Florence, determined to prove his innocence, remembers Sailor Bill, a long-time enemy of Tony. She finds Bill after he has been mortally wounded in a brawl. Bill confesses to the crime before he dies, Darrow is freed, and after breaking his engagement to Betty, asks Florence to be his partner at the settlement house.

Crime and Punishment Synopsis

"One death, and thousands of lives restored to existence. For some useless life a thousand lives saved from decay and death. Shall not one little crime be effaced and atoned by a million good deeds?" So ran Rodion Raskolnikoff's creed in the book which was responsible for his being expelled from the University, but which elected him the leader of a secret brotherhood which admired him. The law proving too hot for him, he is finally forced to flee to America, still preaching his same doctrine. Rodion's heart is touched by the poverty on the East Side and he determines to kill a pawnbroker who mercilessly squeezes the poor unfortunates to their last cent. He accomplishes the deed, takes money from the safe, uses it for the needy and manages to keep the guilt from himself. But the crime is fastened on an innocent man, who, to escape further torture of a relentless third degree confesses to a crime he had no hand in. Then comes Rodion's struggle between his conscience and his creed, and through the guidance of a "lost sister of the streets," he rejects the faith he founded and acknowledges his guilt.