Cohen's Luck
Summary
Abe Cohen, the principled President of the Buttonhole Makers' Union, faces immediate professional ostracism from his employer, Sam Blumenthal, after daring to endorse Alderman Timothy Murphy over the politically entrenched Steve O'Roque, a man to whom Blumenthal holds a significant debt. Displaced and disheartened, Cohen's fortunes seemingly turn when Murphy aids him in establishing a kosher eatery. A twist of fate then reveals a shared lottery win of $10,000 with his former colleague, Kitty McGee, prompting Cohen's generous, albeit premature, distribution of free meals. This fleeting euphoria dissipates abruptly when Kitty's purse, containing her crucial half of the winning ticket, vanishes, leading Cohen to vehemently purge his newly acquired clientele of suspected "loafers." Concurrently, Cohen's daughter, Minnie, clandestinely weds Blumenthal, unaware of his pre-existing, albeit estranged, marital ties. Blumenthal's duplicity is exposed when he retains Minnie's ring and their marriage certificate, casting a shadow of doubt over the union. Cohen, distrustful, disowns Minnie until Blumenthal's legitimate wife emerges, invalidating the bigamous marriage. Redemption arrives through David Moss, Minnie's earnest suitor whom Cohen favors, who locates and reunites with her. As familial harmony is restored, Cohen, demonstrating unexpected street wisdom, outmaneuvers the thief responsible for Kitty's lottery ticket theft. Amidst a chaotic apartment flood, a triumphant engagement celebration for Minnie and David unfolds, underscoring a hard-won victory for integrity and genuine affection.
Synopsis
President of the Buttonhole Makers' Union Abe Cohen, loses his job in Sam Blumenthal's East Side sweatshop when he endorses Timothy Murphy for alderman over Steve O'Roque, to whom Blumenthal is indebted. After Murphy helps Cohen start a kosher restaurant, Cohen learns that he and his former co-worker, Kitty McGee, won $10,000 in the lottery. He gives free meals to his customers, but when Kitty discovers that her purse containing half of the ticket was stolen, Cohen clears the "loafers" out. Cohen's daughter Minnie, in love with Blumenthal, secretly marries him, but Blumenthal, already married although separated from his wife, keeps Minnie's ring and their marriage certificate. Doubting the marriage, Cohen turns Minnie out, but when Blumenthal's wife appears, and Minnie's suitor, David Moss, whom Cohen likes, finds her, the marriage is invalidated and Cohen reconciles with his daughter. Mixing with the underworld, Cohen outwits the thief who stole Kitty's ticket. Despite a flood coming down from the apartment above, the ensuing celebration marks Minnie and David's engagement.
