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1-14 of 14
- The story of Lt. Joseph Petrosino, an Italian-American New York City police detective, who was assigned to investigate the Sicilian Mafia, which was beginning to become a major problem in New York. He did such a good job that the city sent him to Sicily to gather information on the Sicily/New York Mafia connections. He was murdered in Palermo by Mafia gunmen. The 1960 film Pay or Die! (1960) starring Ernest Borgnine was also based on his life.
- Life for Ida in the cobbler's home was too tame and uneventful. As a salesgirl in one of the swellest department stores, she came in contact with the elite of society, and when Baron Fredy became interested in her, she gladly responded. Ida is invited by the Baron to a social affair, where she makes the acquaintance of Oswald, a young noted painter. They are drawn toward each other by mutual admiration. The Baron notices this and resents it. Ida then openly breaks off with the Baron, and Oswald accompanies Ida to her home. A heart-breaking scene follows between father and daughter. She begs and pleads for forgiveness, for staying out so late, but the old-fashioned man is uncompromising, and orders her to leave his home. Oswald, hearing noise, lingers in front of the house. Out comes Ida, crestfallen. Oswald rushes to her, and after some persuasion, she tells him the truth, Oswald explains to her that there is only one refuge, his studio. Ida consents. The cobbler's other child, Paul, becomes involved in a brawl, is arrested and sentenced to prison for four months. Baron Fredy, thirsty for vengeance, lays his plans accordingly. He writes an anonymous letter to Oswald's father in which he tells him that his son is not devoting his time to his art, but is interested in a girl of doubtful character. Mr. Saunder immediately goes to his son's home, where he finds Ida alone. He announces himself and tells her that he cannot countenance her presence in his son's home. She indignantly refuses the money which he offers her and leaves at once. She passes a park and approached by two ruffians. A young man who chances to pass by, seeing the embarrassing position of the girl, immediately goes to her assistance. The grateful girl thanks the young man. They glance at each other; it is Paul, her brother. Paul takes Ida to his humble lodging room, but they now face a problem; how to make a living? They decide to become vaudeville performers. Their first engagement is in a cheap cabaret. After their turn, Paul receives an invitation from two men whom he used to know in prison. They lay a plan before him to participate in the robbery of a rich merchant's home. Paul immediately decides to inform the merchant about the contemplated robbery. He goes to the home of the merchant, and while waiting for him to appear, chances to see on the table a portrait of his sister. As he is holding the photograph, in comes Oswald, pale and feeble. He witnesses the scene, and inquires of the young man whether he knows the girl whose photograph he holds. Paul replies that the girl is his sister. Mr. Saunders consents. Paul is overjoyed and rushes out to bring Ida to Oswald. That same night Paul, who has previously posted the policemen around the house, gives the signal to his would-be accomplices that the time is ripe for action. The robbers appear and are immediately seized by the police. One of the robbers, seeing that Paul has given them away, succeeds in stabbing him. Feeling that he is going to die, he asks for his parents, as his last wish is to become reconciled to them. The old folks humbly accept the will of God. Salvation has come.
- Down on the old farm in Broomville, Sue and Belinda Reuben read of the delights of cabaret life and tango dancing in the great city, and forthwith resolve to taste of these delights for themselves. In the dead of night they escape from the farm, and, hiding themselves in a coal-bunker, ultimately arrive in the city. Their appearance in the main street attracts attention, and they are politely mobbed by a crowd of amused onlookers. Escaping, they explore the Great White Way, represented in the picture by some lonely suburban lots, and here they are not long in meeting the fancifully dressed "White Slavers," products of the underworld, who ply their arts so successfully that in a little while, the girls succumb to an invitation to visit the cabaret show. Here the girls fall completely in the power of their assailants, who by means of a wonderful implement, known as the injectograph, reduce them to unconsciousness. This done, they call in the assistance of the taxi-demon, who, in a fearful looking machine drawn by two mules, transports the senseless girls to the "House of Mystery," into which they are hoisted by ropes. Here they are greeted by a varied assortment of young and innocent victims, also prisoners in the house, which is presided over by a ferocious-looking Mexican. News of the disappearance of many girls having reached the ears of the mayor, he urges the Police Dept. to get busy and clean up the city. Forthwith, inspector McGuiness calls together his emergency squad (Jewish), while inspector Levy gathers his heroes (Irishmen). Meanwhile, the head of the White Slave Traffic, I. Beatsall, sits in his office, counting up the gains of his "profession," which are so great that they reach him in apparently unlimited amounts, and are secured by large safes. This man is subsequently run to earth, and hauled off to the police station to meet the punishment he deserves. The squads, having gone on the warpath, some of the guardians of law and order indulge, in the meantime, in a little cabareting on their own account. Being caught in the act, they are arrested and taken to the police station, presided over by the Cheese of Police. Here no reports from the squads having been received. Levy and McGuiness, disguise themselves as widows, for the purpose of obtaining evidence. By their disguises, they succeed in obtaining admission to the House of Mystery. Revealing themselves to the inmates they allay their fears. The house is raided and the inmates taken away in a patrol. Sue and Belinda are restored to their father, and they and McGuiness are duly rewarded for their labors by the present of a ham for one and a turkey for the other.
- Franz Bush and his wife, Amelia, are members of the celebrated company at the Municipal Royal Theater. Perfect peace reigns in their modest little home, which is beautified by the presence of their little daughter, Gertrude, seven years old. One evening when Bush is preparing himself for the coming performance, he hears a strange noise in his wife's dressing room. He opens the door of the room only to be met by a scene which makes his blood curdle. He discovers his wife in dishabille, and the manager making love to her. Bush staggers out of the room. After the performance Bush and his wife go home together. Arriving home. Bush immediately starts to carry out his decision. He packs all the belongings of his wife, gives her some money and points his finger towards the door, with the stern command never to return again. Ten years later we find Gertrude grown into full womanhood. She is the only object on whom Bush concentrates all his love. The only fear which is always present in the heart of Bush, is the thought that Gertrude might develop a longing for the stage, for she has inherited the histrionic ability of her parents. One day Gertrude comes to the theater to meet her father, and as she is standing behind the scenes, she meets the manager. He engages her in conversation and tells her that he sees in her the making of a great actress. Bush sees them and understands the situation at a glance. He commands Gertrude to come along with him. Gertrude's mind is already poisoned. The demoniacal mind of the director guesses right the ambition of Gertrude, and he sends her a part to study, in which she is going to appear as soon as she feels ready. Bush implicitly forbids Gertrude to think of a stage career. Gertrude cannot understand the objections of her father, and when the director makes the next move, she responds. In spite of her father's opposition, Gertrude is given a trial and plays the part of the young heroine together with her father. According to the play, the father, rather than see his daughter go wrong, shoots her. The part of the father is played so realistic by Bush that it ends in a real tragedy.
- Vigo Grexville, a foreign spy, king of the city's beggars, breaks into General DuRoy's house to secure possession of important government papers. DuRoy's daughter, Mona, interrupts the criminal, who, however, carries her off before she can give the alarm. As Mona has seen his face, Grexville decides to keep her a lifelong prisoner in his castle. From the papers the criminal learns that Mona is heiress to her father's vast fortune and he determines upon a bold coup. He forces Mona to write a letter to the general, telling him that for reasons of her own she stole the government papers. On receipt of the letter DuRoy is heartbroken, but Mona's fiancé, Dr. Garth, refuses to believe his sweetheart's guilt, and declares he will unravel the mystery. A night or two later Grexville visits the general's home and shoots him, leaving behind a revolver to give the tragedy the appearance of suicide. He then tells Mona that unless she agrees to marry him and share her father's fortune with him she will never see the outside world again. Mona is obdurate and by means of a swallow which has built its nest outside her prison window, she sends a message earnestly entreating the finder to communicate with Dr. Garth. Some days later Garth receives the letter, but it has been so badly mutilated that all he can learn is that Mona is a prisoner in the hands of a man who calls himself "King of Beggars." In order to solve the mystery Garth disguises himself and mixes with the beggars of the city. For a month his search is without avail, but at last he meets the king, whom he follows to his home. In a struggle with Grexville, Garth is overpowered and flung through a secret trapdoor into a sewer beneath the castle. He makes his way out by using an explosive cartridge he carries, and succeeds in rescuing Mona from her prison, which has caught fire. They then hasten to inform the police and a strong force is sent to arrest Grexville, who is attending a state ball. Grexville fights his way from the ballroom and escapes in a waiting motorcar, with the police in hot pursuit. Grexville's chauffeur is killed, and the crook badly wounded meets his doom when the motorcar plunges over a steep cliff. Later Mona finds happiness as the bride of her faithful lover.
- Mrs. Raleigh, wife of Wm. Raleigh, cashier of the City Bank, is an extravagant, selfish woman living beyond her husband's income. The consequence: An unhappy home, the husband spending his leisure hours at the club. Contrasted with this, we see the home of Howard Mason, a poor workman. It is a happy home with a devoted wife and mother, saving every cent possible to pay off the mortgage. The story opens with breakfast in the Raleigh home, Mrs. Raleigh urging her husband for more money. Then we see breakfast in the happy home. Mason and his son, Billy, finish breakfast and with their dinner pails and a loving kiss, start for work at the factory. In the evening when Raleigh reaches home, he finds his wife and daughter nearly finished with their dinner. Angered at this, he starts for the club. Closing time at the factory, Mason and Billy find Mrs. Mason and the little girl waiting with a nice warm dinner ready for them. Two months later Raleigh, having lost heavily in poker and being hounded at home for more money, in a vain effort to secure it, robs the bank, and escapes. The bank is closed in consequence of this theft, and hundreds of depositors are made penniless. Not only does Mason lose the money, which he had saved to pay off the mortgage, but the factory is forced to close on account of the bank having called in the factory paper, which they hold. A month later, Mason returns home disheartened after a day's unsuccessful search for work, only to find the mortgage is to be foreclosed the next day, and his little girl's shoes entirely worn out. He makes a firm resolve to get work at any cost. In his vain effort, he passes a store and sees a pair of shoes that will just fit his child's feet. He is tempted and steals them. The proprietor, watching through the window, calls the police and Mason is arrested. About the same time Raleigh is captured in New York, Mason is tried, found guilty and sentenced to ninety days in jail with twenty lashes. Raleigh is brought into court and released on bail. On another instance, being intoxicated and upbraided by his wife, he beats her. Mrs. Raleigh telephones for the police and has Raleigh arrested. He pleads guilty to wife beating, and is fined fifty dollars and costs. The same day Mason receives twenty lashes at the Whipping Post, and starts to serve his ninety days for stealing a pair of shoes. Raleigh grows desperate at the thought of his coming trial for his lowly crime, and ends his trouble and shame with death.
- Elsa Delgarth, a retired actress married to a rich politician, returns to the stage to act in a series of charity shows. The glamour of the footlights causes her to become tired of domestic life and she leaves her husband and child to return to the stage. Paul Greville, an actor, with whom Elsa runs away, loses his memory while appearing in a production, and as a result the couple find themselves face to face with ruin. Unable to obtain engagements, Greville sinks lower and lower in the social scale until meeting a criminal named Gaston St. Croix, he agrees to join the latter's gang. The commissioner of police is informed of a number of mysterious thefts, and immediately stations his squad of officers on the river bank to track the mysterious gang. That night the crooks are tracked, and a battle on the water ensues, but they make their escape. Elsa is unaware of the double life Greville is leading and for some months the man takes part in the crimes of the riverside gang. Meanwhile Delgarth has received an important government appointment and the St. Croix gang plot to gain possession of valuable documents he holds. Greville and an accomplice break into Delgarth's home, but are disturbed before they can accomplish their purpose. However, they carry off Delgarth's little daughter, intending to use the child as a weapon against him. They next engage rooms at a hotel in the town and write Delgarth , telling him he will receive news of his daughter if he visits them alone. When Delgarth keeps the appointment he is overpowered and carried away from the hotel. Delgarth's groom, who followed his master to the hotel, becomes suspicious and succeeds in tracking down the criminals to a lonely spot where they seek to force Delgarth to reveal the hiding place of the papers. When Delgarth is obdurate they threaten to place his child on a nearby railway line in the path of the advancing express. They carry the child to the railway line, but their vile purpose is frustrated by Elsa, who has learned of Greville's villainy. She rushes to the track just in time to snatch her child from danger, but she herself is knocked down and fatally hurt. Greville is also killed and the other members of the gang are captured by the police.
- Ruth, the daughter of a well-to-do widower banker, grows up without the guiding spirit of a mother. Kirk, the parson's son, just graduated from college, returns home to his father. It so happens that Kirk comes across Ruth, who takes a fancy to him. She has already flirted with her father's bookkeeper, who loses his head over her and steals $400 just to buy a costly present for her. Kirk meets Ruth at the river bank, and she invites him to row with her. He accepts the invitation, and the little romance begins there. During the same evening Kirk walks along the quiet streets, and unconsciously approaches the home of Ruth. Ruth invites him in and the bashful chap sits down on a chair with head lowered. For a long time he is irresponsive, but finally his bashfulness overcome, he responds to her entreaties and kisses her. Her father, sitting in his studio, hears a noise and starts to investigate. Kirk seeks to retreat, but it is too late, and the only visible plan is to hide himself in the adjoining room, the office. When the banker inquires the cause of the noise, Ruth denies all knowledge of it. He then proceeds into the office, and is astonished to find the son of the parson behind the safe, which is wide open. He accuses Kirk of the robbery, but the young man denies it. A struggle follows and Kirk wins. Kirk rushes to the bell tower of his father's church and collapses, where his father finds him. An explanation follows and he advises his son to leave the country. When about to board the train, he is arrested. Kirk refuses to give any explanation; a woman's honor is sacred to him, but he pleads not guilty. Kirk is sentenced to imprisonment for six months. Suddenly, something hidden in the soul of Ruth arises in her and she cries out to the presiding judge, "Halt," and explains the reason of Kirk's presence in the banker's home. Kirk is quickly liberated and the real culprit, the bookkeeper, is arrested. A genuine love awakens in Ruth, which is reciprocated by Kirk.
- Though the weather outside was miserable, it had no effect upon the members within the pleasant room of the Astor Club. To pass the time merrily, a game of cards was proposed, and Lord Lister, a detective, arose from the table a lucky winner. Being naturally a close observer, his eyes fell upon an inscription on one of the dollar bills, "We are held prisoners by a Chinese gang at Cosia, near Sacramento. Send help." After discussing this appeal among his friends, he is determined to unravel the mystery and his friend, Charles Brand, consents to accompany him. On a vast farm in the small village of Cosia lives Mr. Wu Chung Foo, a rich Chinese merchant, of whom Lord Lister has often heard his friend, Gov. Morton, speak. Through him he secures a letter of introduction to the merchant, asking him to permit two close friends to have the use of his hunting grounds. The next day Lister and Brand start out on their journey, well prepared for all contingencies. At their destination they are met by Mr. Wu Chung Foo and escorted to his home. On the way Wu Chung, trying to make his guests uncomfortable, explains that his ground is the exact location where so many people have mysteriously disappeared. This does not set fear in Lord Lister but a firm resolve to carry out his plans. A peculiar stare in the eyes of the yellow man gives Lord Lister grounds for suspicion. At his home they are introduced to his adopted daughter Hattie, and not many words had passed between them before she cultivates a strong liking for Charles Brand. Wu Chung suspects that the purpose of their visit is to gain his secret. Not approving of their purpose, and of the friendship which has sprung up between Hattie and Charles, Wu Chung informs the agent of his subterranean city to capture the latter, and to set him to work in the mine as a slave. That night the detective decides to go one step further into the mystery and, disguising himself as a shadow, he ventures into the private room of the master of the house. Here he learns of the secret door built in one of the walls which leads to the solution of the enigma. As Wu Chung passes in, Lister follows, but his steps are halted by an iron gate to which he has no key. The next day while out riding, Hattie and Lister discover that Charles, who had ridden ahead, has mysteriously disappeared from his horse. To lessen the grief of Hattie, Lister acquaints her with the circumstances of which she had not the slightest knowledge. When the matter is explained to Wu Chung, he catches the accusing eye of Lister and decides to rid himself of his second burden. In a like manner as his friend, the detective is seized by an ape and carried into a cave through rocks. Horrified at her second discovery, Hattie determines to master the situation. She obtains possession of the key, and, with gun in hand, gains entrance to the subterranean city, where many white men are held as slaves and worked to death in her foster father's mine. Having presence of mind, she runs for the help of the soldiers. They arrive in time, capturing the criminals, and giving Wu Chung the just measures he deserves. Hattie is once more safe in the arms of her lover and the white men are freed, while Lord Lister, their liberator, having accomplished his purpose, happily looks on.
- Elsa goes to the most fashionable restaurant in Paris, offering the guests flowers for a few sous. She comes to a table at which sits a company of high-livers. One of them offers Elsa a glass of wine, but she refuses to drink. The unusual attention paid to Elsa by the men arouses the jealousy of one of the ladies, and she slaps the girl in the face. Heartbroken, the poor girl runs out into the street. Her investment of a few francs is all gone. What is she to do, parentless, homeless, friendless? Overcome by grief, she falls prostrate on the ground. Two artists come along and stumble across the form of the weeping girl. After some persuasion, they learn the situation and take her to their studio. Elsa becomes the housekeeper for Charles, one of the artists, and love springs up between them. Both are happy over their coming marriage. Fate, however, enters in the person of the great Russian scientist. Leonid Protasoff. The hobby of Protasoff is hypnotism. The moment he sets his eyes upon Elsa he knows that the medium for which he has been searching is found. When Charles is absent from the studio Protasoff enters. He exerts his hypnotic powers and from now on Elsa is his slave. To avoid suspicion on the part of Charles, he makes Elsa write a letter to Charles, in which she informs him that her present mode of life is too monotonous, and she is going away to seek a brighter sphere of action. After two years' time, Elsa, who has until then been entirely voiceless, becomes a famous concert star. Charles and his friend decide to go to the concert of the famous singer, Charles and his friend, occupying box, do not recognize Elsa, she having changed so greatly in appearance. But during the intermission they accidentally stroll into a parlor where they become witnesses to a remarkable scene. Protasoff, by magnetic strokes, is bringing Elsa out of the spell. Gradually it dawns upon Charles that the woman in whom they recognize the singing "Diva" is Elsa, and the strange man is Protasoff. An encounter between Charles and Protasoff ensues, and the latter, from excitement, suffers an apoplectic stroke. Elsa is freed from the spell, but her voice is gone, as her master is dead. She recognizes Charles and goes with him to his studio, the latter being firmer than ever in his intention to marry Elsa. Charles' father is informed about the intended marriage, and arrives at the studio. He meets Elsa and persuades her to leave his son, because she is hindering him from ever becoming a great artist. Elsa, who sincerely loves Charles, is again willing to make the sacrifice and leaves. Her life from now on is one misfortune after another, and she soon becomes the victim of a brute. Charles, through love for Elsa, falls under the strain and becomes a nervous wreck. The most eminent physicians assert that the only remedy is the return of his fiancée. An advertisement is inserted in the newspaper. It comes to the attention of Elsa's master, the brute, who, thinking that he sees a large amount of money in the union, urges the girl to go. At the home of Charles she kills herself, and the shock kills the young artist.
- Rosita, the circus girl, is the star of a traveling circus. Among her many admirers are August, the clown, and a star bareback rider, Ameleo. One day, just as Rosita had finished her act in the ring, Ameleo, with an air of bravado, perhaps to show his superiority to August, lifted Rosita to the back of his horse. August, infuriated, rushed at him, and a fight ensued in the ring. The manager discharged Rosita and Ameleo. Rosita and Ameleo, being unable to secure an engagement with another circus, are now seen performing on the vaudeville stage. Next door to the theater in which they are appearing is a gambling house. Rosita decides to try her luck. She wins. The next day she loses heavily. Rosita is in despair. She rushes into the dressing room, which she shares with Ameleo and another performer named Felix. Her eyes fall upon the coat of Felix, from the pocket of which protrudes a large pocketbook. She grabs it, opens it, sees that it contains a considerable sum of money. Rosita hesitates a moment, but only a moment, and the pocketbook is hers. She rushes back to the gambling house and plays desperately to retrieve her losses, in vain, she loses all. In despair, she hurries to her home, which she shares with Ameleo. Ameleo, shortly afterwards, arrives and greets her affectionately, wholly unaware of the theft of Felix's money. Immediately after his arrival, the bell rings. He opens the door, and Felix enters, accompanied by two policemen. Felix accuses Ameleo of stealing his money, and demands his arrest. Ameleo is about to protest his innocence, when one glance at Rosita's agonized face tells him the truth, and to save her from the consequences of her sins, suffers himself to be led away by the policemen. Some years after, Ameleo has served his time in prison, and is discharged. Rosita, in the meantime, has drowned her troubles in the company of several lovers. Ameleo is seen walking along the shore of a lake, when he suddenly beholds Rosita in the company of one of her admirers. The sight of the woman for whom he has sacrificed his honor and life drives him almost mad. He follows the pair, who board a motor boat to take them to a yacht that is lying out in the lake. Ameleo follows in a rowboat. Rosita and her companion reach the yacht and retire to the cabin. As soon as Ameleo reaches the yacht, he manages to overturn the rowboat. He is rescued by the crew of the yacht. As soon as he is on deck, he rushes to the cabin where he confronts Rosita and her lover. Mad with fury, he knocks him down and seizes Rosita, drags her to the deck, and, grasping her in his arms, jumps with her to a watery grave.
- Sir Wilfred, an ardent politician, is about to attend a debate. His young wife is in the room with her husband. Harry Carstairs, a friend, is shortly announced. Sir Wilfred is called to the telephone which stands in front of a mirror. While speaking, he is thunderstruck to see his wife slip a note surreptitiously into Harry's hand. Infuriated with jealousy, Sir Wilfred determines to find out the contents of the note. Still watching the looking glass, he notices Harry placing it carefully in his side pocket. He then persuades the latter to accompany him in his auto. Later we see Sir Wilfred steal the note. He reads it prior to the debate. His worst fears are confirmed; it is an assignation for nine o'clock. Coolly he delivers his speech. There are others to speak before he will again be called upon. Unnoticed he slips out. The hall porter being sound asleep, he returns, joins in the debate, and no one notices his absence. Once more he slips out, looks around carefully, the hall porter still sleeps, and this time Sir Wilfred puts on his hat and overcoat and leaves the building. At nine o'clock he creeps quietly into his house, goes unseen to his study, and looking through a half-open door he can see plainly into his wife's boudoir. The scene that meets his gaze is enough to frenzy any husband. His wife is in her lover's arms. With slow deliberation. Sir Wilfred takes a revolver from a drawer in the bureau. They must pay the penalty. He fires once. Again a shot rings out, and the tragedy is complete. Now to prevent any suspicion falling on himself, entering the room he arranges the bodies, placing the revolver by Harry's hand. Without having been missed he returns to the debate, in which he takes a strenuous part, until the telephone, in the early hours of the morning, summons him. His servants have made the discovery. The coroner's verdict is the usual one of double suicide. No suspicion falls on Sir Wilfred, but his mind is tortured, and when at a later period he is asked to deliver an address on "Whether matrimony is beneficial to the State?" he feels he cannot cope with such a speech. He, however, prepares the subject for a colleague to deliver. While this is taking place his nerves are so worked up that he can bear the strain no longer, and, dashing on the platform, he delivers an impassioned address against matrimony which has been such a curse to him. The effort is too great. With a wild cry of "Matrimony is not beneficial to the government," he is seized with heart failure and sinks to the ground.