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The Education of Mr. Pipp Synopsis
The members of a Pittsburgh family are trying to break into society through the million dollars obtained by their father's selling his business to the Steel Trust. They move to New York, establish themselves in a Fifth Avenue residence, and backed by the father's money endeavor to penetrate New York society. The mother in her ambition engages a bogus French nobleman to teach herself and her daughters the French language. This Frenchman is in reality one of a group of crooks. The elder daughter at Durland's meets a young riding master named Fitzgerald, and it is a case of love at first sight. The young riding master is in reality Lord Fitzmaurice, son of an old English family. The younger daughter is desperately fond of John Willing, who has been her father's manager in his Pittsburgh business and who has been established in the bank that her father presides over in New York City. The family decides to make a trip to England. Just before they leave, the French teacher is given a check for $75 in payment for his lessons and he in connection with the other two members of his band raises this check to $75,000 and gets it cashed while the Pipps are on the liner bound for Europe. John Willing and young Fitzmaurice meet and learn of each other's feelings towards the two Pipp girls. Willing suspects that the check is bad and gets in touch with Mr. Pipp by cable. On learning that the check is a forgery, he engages Pinkerton to assist in recovering the $75,000, and young Fitzmaurice decides to accompany them. Mrs. Pipp has a letter of introduction to Lady Viola, the mother of young Fitzgerald, and the Pipps go to her home for a visit. Pinkerton and the two young men arrive in England shortly and also go to the Fitzmaurice home. The young Lord gets his mother and the servants to keep his identity a secret and many tine scenes of mistaken identity and cross purposes are the result. The crooks are finally located in Paris and the Pipps, accompanied by Pinkerton, go there. Two of the band try to steal a valuable tiara from Mrs. Pipp, and one of them. Count Charmarot, attempts the life of Mr. Pipp with poison thinking that with him out of the way there is an opportunity for him to make love to and marry the impressionable Mrs. Pipp. Pinkerton, with the assistance of the French Prefect of Police, blocks their plans and brings about their arrest. Mrs. Pipp, realizing the mistake she has made, begs Mr. Pipp to take her back to Pittsburgh. The love affairs of the young people are successfully carried on and end in happy marriages.
The Banker's Daughter Synopsis
Lawrence Westbrook, banker and club man, neglects his business for pleasure. His daughter, Lillian, is in love with Harold Routledge, a poor artist. The Count de Carojac also loves the banker's daughter. To make Harold jealous, Lillian flirts with the count, which causes a severe quarrel between the lovers. John Strebelow, a friend of the family, suggests that the tired banker and his family join him in a visit to his bunting camp in the Maine woods. While hunting, Strebelow injures his hand. Lillian, with the quick wit of a woman, washes and bandages the wound, awakening love within John Strebelow's heart. To save the name of Babbage and Westbrook, the banker pleads with his daughter to marry the rich John Strebelow. Loving Harold Routledge, but remembering the wish of her dying mother, she makes the sacrifice. Sis years later, Strebelow is living happily in Paris with his wife and child, Natalie. He meets Harold Routledge, now a famous artist, and invites him to call. The sight of Lillian awakens the old love. The count, seeing a chance to be revenged, insults Harold Routledge at a reception of the American Embassy. A duel is arranged in which Routledge is killed. Strebelow swears revenge upon the death of his friend, and for his wife's honor, later kills the Count de Carojac. The belief that his wife still loved Harold Routledge causes a separation between them. Strebelow tells of his great love for Lillian and vows to return as soon as Lillian proves that her love is true and sends for him. The sweet, imploring letters of his daughter, Natalie, bring a reconciliation between husband and wife, which is again broken, owing to Lillian's ignorance of the contents of these letters, which had been dictated by Aunt Fannie in the hopes of affecting this reconciliation. When the bonds of love seem to be broken again, Natalie shows Strebelow a letter written by her mother, the last appeal causing a final reunion.
"The Education of Mr. Pipp" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Banker's Daughter" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Education of Mr. Pipp