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The Cry of the Weak Synopsis

After District Attorney Dexter and his neighbor, Judge Creighton, play chess and continue their long-standing argument about crime - the Judge says that criminals can be rehabilitated, while Dexter argues that they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law - the Judge, on entering his house, is shot in the arm by two thieves. Dexter's wife Mary hides one of the thieves from the police, but after they leave, the boy, attempting to escape, is shot in the shoulder by Dexter. Mary identifies the thief as her brother Budd and tells Dexter of their hard background that made the weak-willed Budd an easy prey to the criminal elements. Her pleas and the discovery by the police that the other thief fired at the judge, soften Dexter's attitude and he recommends a light sentence for Budd. Later Mary reads a letter from Budd about the progress that he is making on a Western ranch and Dexter acknowledges that he was wrong about criminals.

When Rome Ruled Synopsis

In one of the Roman colonies in North Africa lives with her father a beautiful young Christian girl, Nydia. A high priest of Jupiter, one of the principal Roman gods, sees her and desires to have her for one of the vestal virgins. He sends his attendants to seize her but is prevented by the passing of Caius, the son of the Roman governor. Caius is very much impressed by the beauty of Nydia and after leaving her safely at her home rides on to the court. The high priest, angry at being so easily thwarted, takes some of his attendants and goes to the home of Nydia to seize her. They are not successful although in the struggle Nydia's father is killed and their home is burned. Nydia escapes to the desert and hides in a cave. A shepherd passes and one of his sheep is carried off and eaten by a lion. The cave where Nydia hides is the lair of the lion and she is terrified as he comes in and stands by a rock near her and roars at her. The shepherd goes to the city to get help to kill the wild beast and lands at the palace of Caius just as a large company are celebrating the arrival of the young woman whom Caius is to marry. He leaves the feast and goes to help the shepherd. They find the cave, capture the lion and at the same time discover Nydia. Caius takes Nydia to his father's house and declares his intention of keeping her under his care. His father objects, she being a Christian. In spite of protests Caius places Nydia in a home, where he goes to visit her. On one of his visits he is followed by the high priest and his father. The high priest enters the room and accuses Nydia of seducing Caius. In a struggle that follows Caius kills the high priest. His father has Caius carried off by two attendants. He accuses Nydia of the crime. In spite of her protests she is condemned to be thrown to the lions. Caius' betrothed tells him of the event and he rushes to the lions' den to help Nydia. His betrothed, who has been instrumental in stirring up trouble, opens the door of the den to watch with satisfaction the end of her rival. Caius sees the door open and seizing Nydia, makes his escape. They manage to escape to the desert, where Caius adopts Christianity.