Summary
Set against the backdrop of industrial encroachment and political volatility, 'The Girl and the Crisis' weaves a complex narrative of eminent domain and moral reckoning. The story ignites when Oliver Barnitz, a Lieutenant-Governor of unimpeachable character, rescues the purse of socialite Ellen Wilmot from a common thief, sparking a bond that transcends mere etiquette. Ellen’s father, Jacob Wilmot, stands at the precipice of a monumental feat: the completion of a reservoir destined to irrigate vast swathes of land, albeit at the cost of 'Old Town.' This progress is met with the vitriolic resistance of displaced citizens and the predatory machinations of Jere Yaukey, a political fixer seeking to exploit the chaos. As riots escalate into a cacophony of stone-throwing and dynamite blasts, the film pivots from a corporate drama to a harrowing exploration of vigilante justice. Poole, a resident of the doomed town, takes the ultimate radical step—assassinating the sitting Governor to propel the principled Oliver into power, forcing him to choose between the letter of the law and the life of the man who paved his way to the executive seat. The narrative further fractures into psychological territory when a latent familial secret reveals that Ellen and Oliver share a mother, complicating their affection just as Oliver is haunted by a proto-expressionist nightmare of patricide and duty.
Synopsis
A pickpocket steals the purse of Ellen Wilmot, a society woman, and Oliver Barnitz, Lieutenant-Governor, catches the man and restores the bag to her. Later they are introduced and become friends. Jacob, Ellen's father and president of the Wilmot Reservoir Company, has completed plans for a reservoir which will supply water for irrigating one and a half million acres of land. But some of the citizens of Old Town, which has been condemned to make way for the reservoir, are not satisfied with the price for their land and begin a riot. David Houston, a peace-loving citizen, comes to Wilmot to inform him that Jere Yaukey and his grafters are playing politics against his company and that he can expect violent resistance from Old Town. Knowing that several million dollars are involved the grafters are plotting to blackmail Wilmot. A large crowd led by Willis gathers to make demands upon the company. Poole, a resident of Old Town, sides with Wilmot and attempts to appeal to the rioters. When the mob begins to throw stones he starts to fire at them, but is restrained by Wilmot and Houston. The police are called by Wilmot, but they are unable to cope with the mob and urge Wilmot to appeal to the state for protection. Ellen drives to the reservoir and is barely saved by her father and Davis. When Wilmot is phoning for help, Payton, a rioter, shoots the phone from the wall so he cannot get connection. A shed of dynamite is exploded, causing damage to other buildings. Oliver Barnitz, seeing something unusual is happening, hastens to Wilmot, who tells him the trouble. Some of the rioters who have seen Oliver arrive become greatly excited. Logan, one of this number, is instructed to tell Yaukey to warn the Governor before Oliver can get to him. Oliver, Houston, Poole and Ellen get in her car and race to the State House. The Governor, having heard Yaukey first, refuses to do anything immediately for Wilmot, but says he will investigate. Oliver says that if he were Governor he would uphold the laws of the state. Poole is struck by these words and begins to meditate. As soon as the others have left the office, he confronts the Governor and yelling, "Let justice be done though the heavens fall," fires at the Governor, who falls dead. When the clerks and Oliver, Ellen and Houston rush into the room, Poole remarks: "I've done my duty. You automatically become Governor. Now do your duty and show that you are a man." Six months later Poole awaits execution, while Oliver is besieged to pardon him. Peter Barnitz has told his son that he wishes him to sever his friendship with Ellen. Wilmot tells her that her mother was also Oliver's mother, having married Barnitz before she married him. Peter determines to beg Ellen to intercede in Poole's behalf, but when he arrives at the Wilmot home finds Ellen is not in. Oliver worn out with worry falls asleep. He has a horrible dream in which his father murders Wilmot and shoots himself rather than fulfill his duty when it concerns the punishment of his own father he shoots himself. He awakes and prays for help. Finally he phones to release the prisoner, but Poole dies of heart failure. Ellen tells Oliver she could never have forgiven him if Poole had been executed.
