Susan Rocks the Boat

Summary

A privileged young woman, Susan, finds her gilded cage insufferable, her existence devoid of meaningful purpose. Driven by an idealistic, if somewhat naive, impulse, she plunges into the grimy underbelly of urban poverty, founding the Joan of Arc Mission. Her benevolent endeavors, however, quickly expose her as a guileless target for the city's myriad con artists, her good intentions paving a path to financial exploitation. Amidst this disillusioning landscape, she encounters Larry, the scion of a respected political dynasty, whose initial exposure of the mission's systemic corruption strains their burgeoning camaraderie. As Susan navigates this treacherous terrain, she falls under the sinister influence of Jim Cardigan, a saloon proprietor with predatory designs. Her vision of transforming his establishment into a wholesome ice cream parlor becomes a manipulative pretext for Cardigan to lure her into a perilous trap. A desperate warning from a reformed con man dispatches Larry to her aid, culminating in a violent confrontation where he sustains injury. Susan, tending to his wounds, discovers a deeper connection, their shared ordeal forging an unbreakable bond and culminating in a tender, hard-won romance.

Synopsis

Susan ( Dorothy Gish ), a pretty society girl, bored with her lot in life, reads and decides to use her time and money to help the poor. She founds the Joan of Arc Mission and quickly becomes an easy mark for con men. She meets and becomes fond of Larry ( Owen Moore ), the son of a loved and respected politician. Soon Larry exposes the petty grafting that is going on and Susan almost ends their friendship. She is befriended by Jim Cardigan ( Fred J. Butler ), a saloon owner, who has evil designs upon her. Susan would like to turn his saloon into an ice cream parlor. Jim promises to do so, but uses his interest to lure her to his apartment and tries to advantage of her. When a con men runs to tell Larry that she is being attacked, he goes to rescue her and is wounded in the struggle. Susan nurses him back to health and happily wins his love.