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The Revolt Synopsis
Anna, a young shop girl, is urged by her rather disreputable stepmother, Mrs. Biddle, not to be so particular, to liven up and get presents and favors from rich young fellows. Lena Schmidt, a co-worker at the store, "stands in" with the manager and lies to her mother about the jewels and dresses. Lena's affair is cut short when the proprietors find her telling the manager about her delicate condition. She believes Anna has told on her and threatens revenge for her discharge. Anna attracts the attention of John Stevens, a salesman, who believes her to be like Lena, but when he attempts advances after a dinner, he finds out his mistake. His respect is aroused and he begs Anna to marry him. For a while the young couple are happy, but Mrs. Biddle's nagging gradually gets on John's nerves and he begins to seek amusement outside of his home. Mrs. Biddle tells Anna she is a fool to stand for this treatment; John is having a good time, why doesn't she go out and enjoy herself. Lena, who still harbors a resentment against Anna, plays on the girl's loneliness when she learns from Mrs. Biddle of the conditions in Anna's home. After long miserable waiting for John's homecoming, Anna decides one night to stand it no longer and accepts Lena's invitation to a party. Arrived at Lena's apartment she is somewhat surprised at the people she meets there, and later in the night, when the men arrived to carouse and make free with the girls, she awakes to a full realization of the nature of the party she is attending. She tries to get away, to flee from the repellent advances of the "Deacon," one of the guests, but Lena tells her there is no escape. As the Deacon seizes Anna in his arms the door bursts open and Dr. Goode enters; he had been a sweetheart of Anna's before her marriage and had never ceased to care for her. He had learned of her presence at the party and had determined to ascertain the reason fro it and to save her if possible. Anna gladly goes with him from the place. At home John is watching over Nanny, the little neglected daughter of the unhappy couple. Nanny is ill and is crying for her mother. He is overjoyed when Dr. Goode leads Anna in. Explanations and reconciliation follow and over their baby's bed they plan for a new and better life.
The Unpardonable Sin Synopsis
Walter Norman, a wealthy member of the smart set of a small city, becomes an habitual inebriate. His best friend, Richard Grant, makes every effort to bring Walter to his senses, but has no influence until one night, when Norman, under the influence of liquor, attacks James Harker during a party at a fashionable restaurant. Grant takes Norman away on his yacht, and succeeds in curing him of all desire to drink. Norman takes up a new life in New York and becomes socially popular and successful in business. He falls in love with Julia Landis who considers drinking to excess an unpardonable sin. She returns Norman's love, thereby arousing the intense jealousy of John Royce, a successful Wall Street man. In the meantime Harker has married the girl over whom he and Norman quarreled, and has come to New York to raise funds for a questionable business enterprise. He meets Royce in a business way, and at a reception discovers Norman and his fiancée and learns the reason for Royce's hatred for Norman. From Harker, Royce learns of Norman's former indulgence in drink. He promises Harker to back his enterprise if he will get Norman drunk and bring him before Julia, knowing that she would break the engagement if she ever saw Norman in such a condition. Harker succeeds in getting Norman to take the first drink he has had since the sea voyage. With the first drink Norman's weakness returns, and Harker parades him before Julia in a drunken condition. Julia breaks her engagement to Norman, who plunges into the wildest dissipation until, money gone and friendless, he is forced into the streets to make a pitiful living as best he can. Royce at length prevails on Julia to marry him. He is blackmailed from time to time by Harker, who threatens to tell Julia the trick by which Royce and he shamed Norman before her. Norman learns of the trick played upon him and inspired by revenge decides to reform. Under another name he gambles on a careful system and wins. With his winnings he goes into Wall Street and steadily piles up his capital until he becomes a formidable figure in the market. He then turns his financial guns on Royce and brings him to the verge of failure. Julia at length overhears a conversation between Royce and Harker and learns how Norman was tricked by the two plotters. Infuriated, she seeks out Norman, pledges her love to him. Norman tells Julia to return to her home and forgive Royce, and in turn permits Royce to recover from the financial trap in which he has caught him. Desperate for money, and maddened by Royce's final rejection of his demands, Harker waylays Royce and shoots him. On account of the known enmity between Royce and Norman the latter is accused of the crime, brought to trial and convicted. He is sentenced to die, but at the last moment Harker's wife discovers that it was her husband who shot Royce and gives the news to the police. Out of the shadow of death Norman comes face to face with Julia and a new life.
"The Revolt" holds a slight edge in general audience appreciation, but "The Unpardonable Sin" offers its own unique cult appeal.
Suggested Watch:
The Unpardonable Sin