Left penniless after the death of her reprobate father Linda Haverhill procures a loan from John Converse, who is smitten with her. She squanders the money in an attempt to maintain her social position by going abroad. During the journey Linda falls in love with Army Captain Brian Anestry of the United States Army, but foolishly burns her possessions planning to file an insurance claim to tide her over. Arrested, she is involved in a wreck which just might provide an escape for both Linda and Brian from their troubles.
"When the door opened" Clive Grenfel sees his wife in another man's arms. A tussle ensues leading Clive to believe he has killed the other man, and he flees to the Northwoods. There he becomes acquainted with an old gentleman and his lovely granddaughter but keeps his distance because of his past. A stranger’s arrival proves a catalyst to the whole fraught situation.
A newspaper publisher finds out that his wild daughter has fallen in with a ring of gamblers. A reporter who has infiltrated the gang to get a story falls in love with the gang's female leader, and when the two are caught in a police raid, they find themselves in equal amounts of trouble.
Jonathan Swift, stern Cape Cod businessman, has ambitions for his children, Emily and Noah, which are thwarted when they take romantic interests in Capt. Joe Cradlebow and Becky Keeler, respectively. Not realizing that Becky expects a child and has been promised marriage, Swift has Noah shanghaied, while Becky stows away on Cradlebow's vessel. There is a terrific storm; but Cradlebow rescues Noah, and the fleet returns safely to shore--thanks to lighthouse keeper Bijonah Keeler, Becky's father, who sets his house afire to give the sailors light. Realizing his foolishness Swift relents allowing his children marry whom they please.
With her marriage on the verge of breaking up, a young wife attempts to win back the love of her husband and child.
Wealthy businessman Carson Burr discovers first-hand the problem of social unrest when he loses his cook and his chauffeur and he is insulted by a waiter. Burr runs for mayor to improve the labor situation and is elected. The editor of The Red Messenger organizes the streetcar drivers to begin a general strike, but Burr manages to break up the strike
In this Western, Frank Keenan has a dual role -- kind-hearted gambler John Lynch and evil bandit Big Rivers. The only person who realizes there is a resemblance between the two is dance hall girl Nita (Maude George), who was abused by the outlaw and cared for by Lynch.
Movie mogul Thomas H. Ince may well have been the director of The Despoiler as indicated by the credits; but since Ince was known far and wide as a glory-hogger, it's also possible that one of his talented lieutenants wielded the megaphone. A Civil War drama, The Despoiler refuses to take sides, demonstrating that there are heroes and villains in both camps. Capturing a small town, Colonel Charles K. French orders his men to reclaim the funds raised for the enemy by the townsfolk. French's drunken, lacivious second-in-command Frank Keenan intends to extort money from the citizens by threatening the virtue of the town's female population.
Set during the American Civil War, Keenan stars as a Virginia colonel and Charles Ray as his weak-willed son. The son is forced, at gunpoint, by his father to enlist in the Confederate army. He is terrified by the war and deserts during a battle. The film focuses on the son's struggle to overcome his cowardice.
Harley Hennage, a gambler, loves Marie but remains silent when he realizes that she is in love with Oliver Corblay, a prospector. After Corblay and Marie marry, Harley moves to the distant town of San Pasqual and does not see his old sweetheart until her husband is killed while staking a claim in the desert.