The Thief and the Book

Spring Dream by the Lake

To get over a breakup with his actress girlfriend, a playwright goes on holiday to a lakeside resort, where he meets a strangely mismatched couple, a man and his much younger wife. He and the wife begin an affair, during which she introduces him to some of the darker aspects of romance.

A Wondrous Woman

Qi can't stand the family she's been married into tries to escape. On the day that she escapes, her sister-in-law is killed by her nephew. Qi becomes a suspect and is arrested. After being released from prison, Qi decides to take revenge on society. She makes a living betraying her lust and hangs out in various places with unconventional people. She meets Zou Wenlan, and the two fall in love and plan to start a new life together. However, the Zou family strongly opposes the marriage, and the two are separated. Qi jumps into the sea and commits suicide. Facing Qi's tombstone, Zou Wenlan and and his family are full of sorrow and repentance.

Are You a Failure?

Coddled by his maiden aunts and apparently unable to make decisions, Oliver Wendell Blaine signs up for a mail-order course in "Success." Oliver follows the instructions step by step, builds his self-confidence, and proves himself a hero when a log jam threatens the town. He is made river boss and marries Phyllis Thorpe, daughter of the owner of the lumber-mill.

The Challenge

Quarrier's rival Robert Lester schemes to have the engineer imprisoned, but the government pardons him so he can oversee a project vital to the country's growth. On the job, Quarrier once again meets Lester, who has tricked Alberta Bradley into selling him the land which is to be used for the project. Alberta still feels as if the land is her own, and threatens to kill the first of Quarrier's workers to swing a pick into it. Quarrier himself begins digging, and while she is unable to kill him, she vows to hate him forever. Gradually, their relationship softens, and the two come to love each other, with Alberta acknowledging the worth of Quarrier's project. Then, working together, they expose Lester to government authorities, since he has been plotting to keep all of the project's profits for himself.

The Violin Maker of Nuremberg

Two apprentice violin makers are in love with the same girl, who happens to be the daughter of their mentor. A violin competition is scheduled, with the winner being the one who will marry the girl.

Mignon

Noble born Mignon is stolen by a band of gypsies as a child. Her mother dies from grief and her father, unhinged by the double blow, gives up his ancestral home for the roaming life of a minstrel wandering from place to place in search of his child. Ill-treated by the gypsies in time she is rescued by traveling student Guglielno, with whom she falls in love. But he is enamored by the seductive actress Filina. Events come to a climax at a castle where all the participants meet, and drastic actions lead to near fatal consequences until all is resolved happily.

Mrs. Cranston's Jewels

The husband of Mrs, Cranston is in tight quarters. He is caught both "short" in funds and in stock. In order that he may be able to cover up his margins, he decides to rob his wife's jewels. He plans to do so, but his wife anticipates him and steals the jewels herself, she having reason to believe that he would attempt the crime in a moment of weakness. The husband, when he finds that his wife's jewels are missing, raises a "hue and cry," and the police take up the case. After considerable investigation, the crime is traced to Mrs. Cranston.

Courage

Belle Bennett plays as the widowed mother of seven children living in Sioux City, Iowa. She moves with them to Cambridge, Massachusetts in order to educate her children with culture and give them every advantage. Bennett, who is unversed in financial matters, soon faces poverty for herself and her children. She takes out a loan from an unscrupulous lender (played by Richard Tucker), who is so impressed by the charm and valiant spirit of Bennett than he neglects to ask her for collateral. Bennett, however, is only able to partially pay her creditors. Marion Nixon, Bennett's eldest daughter, is shocked by her mother's actions and attempts to sacrifice herself to Tucker in order to clear her mother's obligations, even though she is engaged to marry a well to do Harvard undergraduate, played by Rex Bell. This film is believed lost.

The Great Gatsby

Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, the nouveau riche Jay Gatsby. He is drawn into Gatsby's circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.

Adrienne Lecouvreur

A considered lost film from 1913

It Happened in Paris

Penniless aristocrat Yvonne Dupré ekes out a living selling her paintings to a crooked dealer, Leon Naisson, who passes them off as other more famous artists. Leon confides to his unscrupulous model Romildo, that he is attracted to Yvonne. Romildo drugs his lover, fiery Apache dancer Juliette who closely resembles Yvonne, then tries to extort money from Leon to have his way with her. Leon discovers the duplicity but convinces the artist's sweetheart, Dick Gray, that she has been unfaithful. As police close in on Leon, he frames Yvonne by planting forged paintings in her studio. Following Yvonne's arrest, Juliette is informed by her foster sister that she was stolen by gypsies as a child and is actually Yvonne's twin sister. Juliette exposes Leon's operation to the police, reuniting Yvonne and Dick.

The Ghost Flower

Giulia, a Neapolitan girl, much against her will, becomes the mistress of a wealthy gangster. Her "protector" is stabbed to death by Giulia's hot-headed musician lover Tony (Francis McDonald), whereupon the heroine takes refuge in the villa of French playwright La Farge. Under La Farge's careful tutelage, Giulia develops into a famous actress, capturing the heart of the Duke De Chaumont. Though LaFarge himself has fallen in love with the girl, he does not stand in her way when she accepts the Duke's proposal. But Giulia has not reckoned with Tony, who is still crazy about her and still willing to kill any man who stands in his way. Tony murders LaFarge, then sets his sights on the Duke, intending to kill the poor fellow during the wedding ceremony. Hoping to save the Duke's life, Giulia pretends to have fallen out of love with him and returns to Tony.

When Artists Love

The famous painter Bernhard Steen has made a portrait of the actress Thora Flemming.

The Past Forgiven

Until her rescue by a Salvation lass Margaret Reeves is trapped in white slavery. Upon her escape she is sent to a ranch where she falls in love and marries a cowboy, keeping her past secret. The man who once owned her appears and her husband learns the truth. He sends her from the house, but a young Indian mother engineers their reconciliation.

Detective Craig's Coup

On the trail of counterfeiters Detective Craig is on their trail. Suspicion falls on James Dalton who passes bad money through unsuspecting "fences." Dalton plants bad bills on young Bob Brierly and when it is detected Dalton, as usual, escapes while the innocent Bob is caught and convicted. Upon his release Bob meets Mae Edwards who gets him a job in her bank. When Dalton comes to the bank to case it for a robbery he runs into Bob and tries to recruit him as an accomplice. Bob, who has married Mae, refuses. Dalton causes him to lose his position and because of Dalton’s persistent efforts forces Bob to join the crook. Craig, shadowing Dalton, knows Bob is taking part against his will. Craig foils the robbery and after a motorboat chase Dalton is captured and exonerates Bob.

The Failure

Theatrical manager Isaac Shuman has a reputation for "taking advantage" of young girls who want to become stars on Broadway. Reporter Tom Warder investigates these stories and exposes Shuman in his newspaper.

When Love Was Blind

Blind Eleanor is cared for by her father's friend and eventual lover, Burton Lester, who arranges a sight-restoring operation. Upon recovering her sight, Eleanor discovers Burton is married, leading her to seek independence by completing her father's art and becoming a renowned artist in New York. After a misunderstanding involving a lost necklace and Burton's kindness to a friend, Eleanor reconciles with Burton and they become engaged.

The Scheming Woman

Young millionaire Turner Brooks is engaged to marry the poor but sweet Dora Carton however the maliciously rapacious Emma DeWolf wants to snag him for his money. Both before and after their marriage Emma tries every means to poison his mind against Dora but ultimately fails.

Tragedy in the Snow

Three Green Eyes

Lucille Vale is in love with struggling architect Paul Arden, but her mother believes that Allen Granat is a more suitable match. Lucille's mother prevails, and Lucille leaves Paul a note in their secret hiding place saying that she is going to marry Allen. Paul is injured when thrown from a horse and does not receive the note. He is nursed back to health in the home of entomologist Thomas Wiggan, whose son Johnnie is in love with Marion Vale, Lucille's younger sister. Two years later, Lucille and Allen return to the estate, very much in love, and engage Paul's services. The note is found, still waiting in the secret hiding place. After many complications, and with the help of her friend Suzanne Russell, Lucille recovers the possibly incriminating note.