New York's Society Life and Underworld (1913)

Herald for NEW YORK'S SOCIETY LIFE AND UNDER WORLD (1913) with Chuck Connors

NEW YORK'S SOCIETY LIFE and UNDER WORLD
IN THREE PARTS

"Chuck" Connors, the White Mayor of Chinetown, One of the Most Interesting Characters of New York's Noted East Side, Appears in this Production.

California -- Arizona -- Nevada

State Rights Owned by
UNION FILM & SUPPLY CO.
124 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco
360-2 Pacific Electric Bldg., Los Angeles

WILL BE SHOWN AT 

Empire Theatre
979 MARKET STREET

Two Days Only

MONDAY AND TUESDAY
DECEMBER 1ST AND 2D (1913)

(Union label) 143


Herald for NEW YORK'S SOCIETY LIFE AND UNDER WORLD (1913)

THE STORY

Harold Blake had always been a harum-scarum sort of a chap. His course at Yale had been a source of constant worry to his doting mother and sister and a never-ceasing annoyance to his fond father. He had always been supplied with everything he desired by his partnet, and, like so many sons of the very rich, he had profited nothing by the indulgence.

On the night of his return home after his graduation, the boys of his crowd had a big affair at the club. During the evening one of them suggested a trip to Chinatown. Now one of the men had been at one time a reporter on one of the afternoon papera and was very well acquainted with New York's seamy side, as well as its bright lights. he took charge of the party and led them direct to the famous Chatham Club, one of the best known organizations of the East Side. There they met one of the most familiar figures in all New York -- "Chuck" Connors. An East Sider of the old school, picturewque in talk, walk manner. Under the guidance of "Chuck" the party took in every nood and corner of Chinatown. Could Harold Blake have drawn aside the curtain that veils the future from our eyes and have seen the misery that was to come to him the the self-same streets that he was now treading, the laughter would have died on his lips, and his face would have paled with fear.

As the party were entering the Port Arthur Restaurant, a cry of "Help! Murder!" rang out on the night air. Harold dashed away in the direction from which the shouts came and found a villainous-looking man brutally beating a woman. Promptyly felling the cowardly wretch with one blow, he turned his attention to the victim. Imaging his surprise when the woman turned on the astonished young man with all the fury of an enraged tigress and dealt him a resounding blow on the cheek that set his ears a-tingling.

However, this seeming insignificant incident was to mean a great deal to young Blake, It was in reality the turning point in his career. The man who he had struck was of a revengeful character. He soon collected his comrades and laid in wait for the young aristocrats. As they were passing a partucular dark spot, they were suddenly set upon from behind by this band of dangerous ruffians, headed by the villain who had felt the strength of Blake's right arm. In the rough and tumble fight that followed, the young sports were holding their own in great shape, and would have soon routed their assailants had not the police appeared and place the whole crew under arrest.

Now it did not take long for the gangsters to free themselves from the clutches of the law. A message to the district leader, who  must always stay in the good graces of the toughs of the slums, a telephone call from him to the sergeant and everything was fixed and they were allowed to go. Harold and his friends did not fare so well. They were compelled to stay in jail all night. After the elder Blake has paid the fine for his son in the morning, he told hi that unless he changed the error of his ways that he would disown him. The boy promised to do better, and for a time was as good as his word.

For a few days after the Chinatown episode, the crash came. harold, after a particularly disgraceful debauch, was ordered from the house forever by his irate father. The pleadings of his mother and sister did no good and he was compelled to leave. A week later another blow came. He discovered his supposed sweetheart in her true light. He loved this girl, who was an actress, very much, while she was merely playing with him and bleeding him for all he was worth. Now that his money was gone, she had no further use for him and cast him to one side as she would an old glove.

The little money his mother had given him when he left was soon spent, and he was face to face with grim want. he succeeded in picking up an oldd job now and then and in this manner managed to keep body and sould together. One day his sister happened to seem him at t distance. She had a boy follow him to his lodging place to ascertain his address. A little later Harold received a letter from his mother enclising fifty dollars, telling him that they were going to Europe and to take the money and try to make a man out of himself. This fund was soon exhaused and he was then again in desperate straits. To increase the burden of his woe, he was turned from his cheap lodging place for failure to pay his rent. What would he do? Where would he go? He had no home, no money, no friends. The river was the only place left. Slowley he made his way to the side of the dark and silent stream. One plunge and all would be over. With a last look, as hesupposed, upon the bright lights of the city, he leaped--to be caught from behind by a pair of powerful arms. A gruff voice said in his ear:

"Cut it out. If yer down and out, we'll stake ye."

His new-found friends were as good as their world. Through the rough yet kindly assistance of the "gangsters" he took a new grip on life. It was, however, a different life than he had ever known before. Harold Blake, millionaire's son, petted child of fortune, college graduate, and one time society man, was now "Spike" Blake, a man of the streets, a cild of the slums,  a student in the school of crime and a leader of gangsters.

One day he met Nell McGrath, the sunshine of the slums. harold at once saw in her all the sterling qualities of a good woman. he soon learned to love her, and to his great joy his affection was returned.

Now this love affair gained him the animosity of" Spud" Mlligan, the one-tine sweetheart of Nell. "Spud" tried three or four times to "do" Blake, but was always foiled by the latter's quick wit. As election was drawing near, John R. Bluff, the political boss of the ward, knew that it would never do to have two of his most trusted lieutenants as swords points, so effected a reconcilation between the two.

 That night the gambling house that Blake and his friends frequented was raided by the police. Harold made a desperate dash for liberty, but after a long and exciting chase over the roof-tops, he was captured. On being searched, a gun was found hidden in his sock. His previous record and his connection with the crooked work at the election did not win him favor with the judge, and he was given a year in the Tombs.

Four years later Harold Blake was a different man. His old haunts knew him no more. He had married Nell and happiness in all its phases was his. He had a loving wife, a good position, a comfortable home, and a sweet little baby girl of two years.

All these years Harold's family had heard nothing from him. One day he met his sister on the street. That afternoon she and her mother came to see the new baby. Harold at last gave in to their pleadings, and consented to go home with them to try and bring about a reconciliation with his father.

The old man would no more recognize Harold as his son now that he would that terrible day five years before, and ordered him from the house. At this juncture, the little girl was brought in. At the sight of thos elaughing blue eyes, and the sould of the lisping words, "Grandpa, I love 'oo," the old man's stern heart relented, and all was forgiven and forgotten in a joyous reunion of the family.

A few nights later the old mansion was lighte with its old-time brilliancy. A magnificent ball was in progress celebrating the prodigal's return. "Spike," the gangster of the underworld, was no more. harold Blake had returned to society life again. But is was a different Harold Blake than the one who had been the leader of the gay whilr five years before. Not the reckless, care-free, happy-go-lucky good fellow of old, but a man, every inch of him. he had drained his cup to its bitter dregs and had been benefited and chastened by the draught.


with George "Chuck" Conners. Directed by unknown. Weinberg & Goldstein/Exclusive Feature Film Company/States Rights.

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Public Domain Mark
This work (New York's Society Life and Under World (1913), by Exclusive Feature Film Company), identified by Bruce Calvert, is free of known copyright restrictions.

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Last Modified August 28, 2016