Summary
In the murky underbelly of early 20th-century urbanity, Mazie Starrett navigates a precarious existence as a key operative within Henry Hartland's sophisticated criminal enterprise. Her world, however, is irrevocably altered by the steadfast devotion of Jimmy Britton, her paramour, whose profound conviction in a life untainted by illegality compels Mazie to envision a future beyond the shadow of the law. A pact is forged: marriage and legitimate prosperity, if Jimmy can prove honesty’s rewards rival illicit gains. While Jimmy embarks on a nascent career as a truck driver, fate intervenes with Mazie's arrest for shoplifting, an incident that paradoxically introduces her to Allison Cabot, a seemingly benevolent patron who secures her release and extends an unexpected friendship. Unbeknownst to Mazie, Allison harbors a labyrinthine agenda, seducing Henry Hartland not out of genuine affection, but as a calculated maneuver to retrieve invaluable documents crucial to exonerating her incarcerated lover. These papers, Allison suspects, lie secreted within Hartland’s possession. The intricate web of deception tightens as Mazie, leveraging her own allure, seduces Henry, and with Jimmy’s newfound legitimate skills, orchestrates the retrieval of the coveted documents. Their daring gambit culminates in a surprising act of leniency from a discerning police inspector, who, recognizing their desperate pursuit of redemption, grants Mazie and Jimmy a precious, unburdened passage to forge a new life, finally free from the corrosive grip of their criminal past.
Synopsis
Mazie Starrett is a member of a band of thieves headed by Henry Hartland. Her boyfriend Jimmy Britton decides to go straight, and Mazie agrees to marry him when he convinces her that he can make as much money honestly as illegally. While Jimmy works as a truck driver, Mazie is arrested for shoplifting, but customer Allison Cabot obtains her release and befriends her. Meanwhile, Henry romances Allison, who is actually using him to help clear her lover who is in jail for the disappearance of valuable documents which she suspects are in Henry's possession. Mazie seduces Henry, and with Jimmy's help, recovers the papers. A sympathetic police inspector allows Mazie and Jimmy to go away and begin a new life free of crime.
Review Excerpt
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Stepping back into the annals of cinematic history, we encounter Thieves, a 1919 silent film that, despite its era’s technological constraints, weaves a surprisingly intricate tapestry of moral ambiguity, illicit desires, and the perennial human yearning for a fresh start. Directed by Frank Beal and penned by Douglas Bronston and William C. Beal, this cinematic offering is far more than a mere crime drama; it's a profound character study, particularly through the lens of its captivating pro..."
