Summary
Under the oppressive guardianship of moralistic Aunt Elvira, young Elena Evans bears the weight of inherited shame—a nebulous 'scarlet strain' attributed to her mother's indiscretions. When caught exchanging innocent glances with affluent suitor Van Presby, Elvira's puritanical fury erupts, demanding immediate marriage to cleanse perceived impurity. The couple's clandestine cinema outing accelerates this trajectory until Van's uncle Harvey intervenes, spiriting Elena away to the Presby estate where matriarch Edith offers sanctuary. Beneath veneers of benevolence simmers intricate betrayal: Edith schemes to wed Elena to dull Joseph Fleming upon discovering Harvey's burgeoning affection for the girl, while college-returned Van drunkenly assaults his former flame. Salvation materializes through Harvey's heroic intervention, culminating in an unexpected union that exposes the film's central irony—the true 'scarlet strain' proves merely society's condemnation of a widow's remarriage, not inherent moral corruption.
Synopsis
Moralistic Aunt Elvira, has raised Elena Evans and believes that because of Elena's mother, Elena possesses "the scarlet strain." Aunt Elvira scolds Elena when the youngster is caught flirting with Van Presby. Elena and Van sneak out to a movie and then return home where Aunt Elvira demands that they get married. Van's uncle, Harvey Presby, prevents the hurried marriage and takes Elena to the home of Van's mother Edith Presby. Mrs. Presby accepts Elena and sends Van off to college. When Mrs. Presby discovers that Uncle Harvey, in whom she is interested herself, has developed an interest in Elena, she plans to marry Elena off to Joseph Fleming. Elena later rebels and refuses to marry Joseph. Van returns from college, and in a drunken state tries to take advantage of Elena. Uncle Harvey rescues her and marries Elena himself. "The scarlet strain" turns out to be the sin of a second marriage.
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