Compare Films

The Turn of the Road Synopsis

Helen King, a devoted wife and mother, spends most of her time in the care of her little son, Jack. Her husband, John, although loving her dearly, feels slighted because she does not care to become a part of the social life of which he is a prominent member, and when the temptress comes, in the person of Marcia Wilbur, an old school chum of Helen's is susceptible to her charms. Marcia is a born coquette and begins her heart conquering campaign «n Doctor Bright, the King's friend and physician, whom she leads on, only to cast aside when he proposes. Marcia, unable to restrain her propensity to flirt, exercises all her arts on John. Helen hears the whole town is gossiping about the intimacy of her husband and Marcia, but laughs at the idea. John gives way to his infatuation and the two elope. Helen, returning home, finds Jack in a high fever and phones Dr. Bright. The runaway couple meet the doctor on his way to the King home, at a turn in the road, and veering to one side are forced over an embankment. Dr. Bright finds John but slightly hurt, while Marcia is terribly wounded in the head. The doctor takes them to the King home. Helen blames Marcia, but when the doctor announces the accident has robbed her of her reason, hatred turns to pity and she insists on nursing her old friend back to health. A delicate operation is performed; it is successful, and Marcia recovers. Marcia accidentally overturns a lamp and sets fire to the bed clothing. John and Dr. Bright rush to their assistance, rescuing Marcia just in time, and later the two fall in love, while John is happily reunited with his wife.

The Writing on the Wall Synopsis

Irving Lawrence, prominent and wealthy, owns a large number of tenements in the poor section of the city which are among the city's most objectionable dwelling places. His wife, Barbara, and his brother. Schuyler, are interested in social uplift, but are unable to secure Irving's co-operation for the betterment of conditions. Irving's disregard for others and his blind selfishness are also displayed in his daily life and affairs with other women. When Payne, Barbara's brother, arrives with his bride Muriel, it evolves, after a painful meeting, that Muriel is one of the victims of Irving's disregard for others, in the past. Realizing Muriel will keep the past a secret from her adoring husband, at all costs, Irving torments the girl unmercifully. Barbara, meanwhile, has learned that her husband's mode of living is not all it should be, and misunderstanding a situation between Irving and Muriel, openly accuses them. Then the truth comes out and Muriel proves her innocence in the past. Irving, enraged, trumps up a countercharge of scandal between Barbara and Schuyler. An estrangement at once follows between all concerned. At this time a terrible fire breaks out in Irving's tenements, in which Barbara is holding a party for the slum children, which little Harry is attending. All rush to the scene, and in his mad attempt to rescue Harry Irving needlessly sacrifices his life, for the boy had already been carried out in safety. His death is a just atonement for the lives lost when his rusty old fire escapes crumpled up under the weight of the mad rush of tenants and crashed to the ground. Barbara effects a reunion between Payne and Muriel, and a brighter future seems in store for herself and Schuyler.