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The Return of Eve Synopsis
Believing that over-civilization was destroying the race, Eli Tapper, an eccentric millionaire, took two unrelated orphan children, a boy and a girl, and placed them in a wilderness, there in the care of an old tutor, David Winters, to grow up as a new Adam and Eve, and become path-breakers of a better race. In delightful simplicity and educated as much as they could be without contact with the world, the children attain the age of nineteen years. Mrs. Tupper-Bellamy, society leader, lives in costly splendor against the day when she hopes to inherit her brother millions. She plans to marry her daughter, Clarice, to Seymour Purchwell, society idler of standing and also an attorney. Purchwell makes it plain that the marriage can occur if Eli Tupper's fortune goes to the girl and her mother. When Tupper dies the sister and her set learn for the first time of his odd experiment. His will provides that the sister must take Adam and Eve into civilization in order to win an annuity of $50,000 a year. The orphans are heirs to the rest. Purchwell sets out to find them. He locates the Eden of the boy and girl and old Winters, and is literally the serpent in the garden. Winters resents leaving, but a clash between Adam and Purchwell decides him. Plunged amidst the whirl of social affairs Eve is delighted. Adam is disgusted with the sham and deceit of society, and pleads with her to return to Eden. She refuses. Winters takes him to Paris to study. Purchwell, seeking the Tupper fortune, turns his attention to Eve. Clarice is in a frenzy of affection spurned, and after finding the two alone she accuses them before the whole house party. Eve, in her innocence, does not readily grasp the meaning of the charge. When it dawns on her she faces the guests, and in her bitterness denounces them as tools of passion and greed, and announces that she will give up all and return to Eden. With old Winters, she returns. Adam is recalled from Paris, and the girl and the boy, now awake to their love, together with their beloved guardian, give up the world.
The Havoc Synopsis
Richard Craig and Paul Hessert, who work in the same office, are great chums. Both are in love, however, with the stenographer. Craig is successful in winning her heart and they are married. The rivalry does not break the friendship of the two men. Instead Craig is so happy in his new home he invites Hessert to come and live with them. Craig becomes engrossed in his work and fails to see that his wife is lonesome. He stays away from home more and more in the evening and Mrs. Craig is thrown much to the society of Hessert. Finally, a love springs up between the two. Craig is called away from the city on business and his wife finally yields to Hessert's importunities. Craig returns unexpectedly and finds the two together. The wife confesses her love for Hessert and tells her husband to shoot them. He, however, calmly tells her that he will get a divorce so that she can marry Hessert, if they will consent to let him live in the house under the same condition as Hessert had. They agree. Craig then sets about to win back the love of his former wife. He promotes Hessert in the office and throws temptation in his way, believing he will prove himself a scoundrel. Hessert finally steals a large amount of money and is about to flee from the country. Craig tells the woman of his theft but she will not believe it. Just at the moment, however, Hessert enters the house and when confronted by Craig, confesses his guilt. Instead of having him arrested, Craig tells him to go and never to show up again. The wife is overwhelmed with remorse and asks Craig what she can do to atone. He takes her back to the office as his stenographer.
"The Return of Eve" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Havoc" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Return of Eve