The City of Darkness

The Face on the Barroom Floor

1923

As a derelict paints the face of a girl on a barroom floor, the plot is developed in a series of flashbacks: Robert Stevens, an artist engaged to marry Marion, a society girl, becomes charmed with a fisherman's daughter who poses for him. The society girl's brother brings dishonor upon the fisherman's daughter, and when she commits suicide the artist shields the brother. Stevens is blamed by his fiancée, who terminates their engagement. The artist becomes a derelict and is wrongfully imprisoned. Eventually Stevens is exonerated and reunited with Marion.

The Fugitive

1917

Unbeknownst to Jim Donovan, his friend and business partner Dan Morgan admired his wife, and one day, when he heard that Jim was in the office, he visited his grandmother and told her that he loved her. She was shocked. Disgusted by her rejection, he planned cunningly. On his way from his home, he sent a fake telegram to Jim, pretending to be from his uncle Frank Foster and asking him to come immediately, as he was seriously ill.

The Fighting Marine

1926

As a reporter, Dick Farrington is sent to cover an assignment that promises a big story. A lawyer has advertised for an ex-Marine who is a boxer. He makes good beating up a gang of roughnecks picked for the purpose, and secures the mysterious job that is filled with danger. It is to guard the heiress Lady Chatfield, but the hero is told nothing as to the secret in back of it all. Dick poses as Lord Grantmore, wears a monocle, and otherwise acts like a titled Englishman. They proceed to the mining town of Goldbrook, where the heiress is to occupy a mysterious mansion on the occupancy of which hinges a great fortune. The engineer of the mines is deeply interested in thwarting the plans of Lady Chatfield, and with his gang of roughneck miners makes things lively for the pugilist star in a series of fights that are hair raisers.

In the Shadow

1913

Thousands of persons would die in the present if it were not for the memories of the past. Old Mrs. Merkle has one cherished reminder of bygone days, her wedding gown.

Some Steamer Scooping

1914

The Baron Lafitte is in love with and proposes to Adelaide Burton, daughter of Andrew Burton, a wealthy manufacturer. Clara Lane, a newspaper reporter, has been assigned to watch the movements of the Baron. She is further instructed to make a scoop of their movements. Tom Drake is in love with Clara, and is her persistent follower throughout.

Etta of the Footlights

1914

Etta Lang, a chorus girl, is the principal support of an invalid mother and her sister and brother, not only working at the theater, but looking after their small boarding house. Among their lodgers is Brutus Bellamy, an old actor. He becomes interested in the girl, and offers to teach her acting. She learns rapidly. She arrives at the theater late and is abused by the stage manager, Joseph Burton. Cecil Wentworth, one of the backers of the theater, takes her part and becomes interested in her.

The Evil Men Do

1915

As childhood sweethearts, David Horton and Beatrice Elton are inseparable. Fifteen years later Beatrice goes abroad and while there is heartbroken to learn that David has married Margaret Forsythe, a social climber, Margaret starts to entertain on a lavish scale.

The Windmill

1937

The German adopted-daughter of a Belgian innkeeper is threatened with internment by him if she reveals to the British billetees that he is a spy. However, she is in love with one of them and helps them.

The Heart of Jim Brice

1915

Jovial and big-hearted, Jim Brice, of the Howard Detective Agency, is sent to trap bribetakers in a nearby city.

The Port of Doom

1913

Detective Kate Kirby discovers that a ship captain has been sent on a doomed voyage by his rival for the affections of the shipowner's daughter.

A Virgin Paradise

1921

Pearl White is a child living alone on a South Seas island after the death of her missionary father. By a stroke of luck, she becomes an heiress, and is transplanted into modern society.

The Geranium

1911

One glance at the poor and disordered home of the Tunisons shows us there is something still lacking. Mrs. Tunison is obliged to provide for her crippled daughter Ethel, her son, who does what he can to help her and her older daughter, who aids in every way possible. Daniel Briton, a young peddler, notices Ethel as he passes by, and gives her one of his wares, a geranium, for which she is very thankful. On successive days as the young peddler passes she waves her hand to him. One day he brings with him a doctor, who takes her to the hospital where she will get good care and attention. After a few weeks, Ethel is carried home in the arms of her generous friend, entirely restored to health. Everybody is made happy, and more so with Daniel, who marries one of Ethel's sisters.

Flame of the Argentine

1926

Doña Aguila, owner of a vast ranch and a valuable emerald mine in the Argentine, longs for her lost daughter, Conchita, and is victimized by her manager, Emilio Tovar, who is secretly stealing gems. Tovar goes to New Orleans to dispose of some emeralds, and persuading cabaret pianist Inez Remírez to impersonate the dead daughter, he schemes to divide her inheritance. Dan Prescott, a stranger, forces himself into their confidence and accompanies the couple on their return voyage. Doña Aguila's kindness causes Inez to repent and to refuse to carry out the plan; Tovar and his men attack the rancho to acquire an emerald necklace, and Inez rides for aid. Prescott, revealing himself to be an insurance agent, wins the heart of Inez, and Doña Aguila adopts her as her legal daughter.

Tarnish

1924

Some Good in All

1911

John Lane is a prosperous businessman, a widower, who lives in a large house with his seven-year-old daughter Betty. Lane has an enemy, one Ben Hartley, who, by the aid of some forged papers, threatens to expose Lane and put him in prison. The night of the story opens with Lane receiving a letter from Hartley, who demands $10,000, to be paid at midnight, that night. Lane has not that much ready money in the house, and no way to get it. He thinks it all out and decides to commit suicide. He stands before a mirror and is about to pull the trigger, when Bill, the burglar, steps into the room, stopping him.