The son of a poor fisherman and the daughter of a wealthy landlord fall in love, but meet with obstacles to being together. Their happiness meets with objection by her father, who intends to permanently separate them.
Roy Conover has just returned to his village home from college.
1915
In Belgium, at the outbreak of the war, Russian agent Olga Raminoff shoots at a German general when the enemy enters town. Ray Bourke, an American traveler, gives her the protection of his name, but nevertheless both are sentenced to death. They are rescued by an allied rescue plane and later, bound for home, Ray meets an old college friend, Curt Schreiber, who is in the service of the German government. Schreiber has important papers to be delivered to Washington and, knowing that he will be searched on board ship, gives them to Ray. Olga beseeches Ray to give the papers up for her sake, but his word to Schreiber is sacred. Nearing America, Ray tells her that he will make an effort to return the papers if she will marry him.
1917
Socialite Ethel Wyndham turns down Jim Carew’s marriage proposal because of his working-class status causing him to go prospecting in the Yukon. He strikes it rich and begins a romance with Little Snowbird. Deciding to take one last look at life in the big city before settling down he heads to New York where he runs into Ethel. After telling her of his success he proposes again and while she’s tempted Ethel is tempted to accept him, she has involved her in an extortion operation unknowingly and Thomas Martin threatens to expose her if she marries Jim. Once again broken-hearted, Jim returns to Little Snowbird only to face heartache and a daughter he knew nothing about.
1916
"Al" Spencer, a gambler who is not averse to cheating, who occupies an apartment with his wife and daughter, abandons his family after attacking and robbing a card player a confederate had brought to his place. In the same building lives Nancy Springer, a shoplifter whose thieving husband is in prison awaiting trial.
Broadway actor Lyle plays the adventures of a night in the West. One evening he enters a small theater where a 10-20-30 repertory company is playing. He is struck by the beauty and talent of Ruth Darrell, a young member of the company, and sees in her the type to request a new play in which he will appear the following season.
Photographer Peter Christiansen, University of Miami student, does a picture story at an LSD party on the beach.
1969
A Spanish soldier falls under the spell of a fiery gypsy girl named Carmen. His obsession with her leads to his ruin.
During World War I, Jane Whiting, a bright young lawyer who is engaged to Senator Wheeler, is assigned by the district attorney to expose a gang of spies who are collecting money for the German government through the operation of a fraudulent charity organization. Wheeler's son Frank has fallen in love with Lola Schram, whose pro-German mother is forcing the girl to work for Frederick Kube, the head of the spy ring, but when Kube learns of the romance, he orders Mrs. Schram to break it off. When Lola finally confesses her activities to Frank, Kube kills her and then frames Frank for the murder. Meanwhile, Jane, through the help of Jimmy and Tilly Ware, has discovered Kube's headquarters and modus operandi
1918
Tom Whitney, well connected but a social derelict because of his weakness for drink, is released from the draft because of an old football Injury, but a policeman persuades him that he can still do his bit in the shipyards. He takes a job in the yard owned by the man to whose daughter he was engaged in happier times. Three German propagandists seek to foment a strike to delay the work, and largely through Tom's efforts the plan goes amiss and the strike is called off. Rehabilitated by work, the launching of The Liberty is a forecast of his own rebirth.
Emmy Milburn must decide. Should she go back to the life she had dared so much to lose, or should she pay the price and live in luxury?
1928
A man breaks into a flat, startling the occupant. They argue about the new girlfriend of the 'burglar', who's come to get her stuff. Then a third man bursts out of the cupboard...
1996
A reception in their small village in celebration of the Count’s daughter Ann’s engagement to Baron Moreno is disrupted by the news that a mine in which the whole village has invested is worthless. Having persuaded the townspeople to invest their savings in the venture, the Count commits suicide, and the baron jilts the now-destitute Ann. Bereft Ann marries American promoter Slater, moving to the United States in hopes of earning enough to pay off her father's debts and the couple have a child. However, the baron follows Ann, raping her. Slater's jealous mother uses this opportunity to break up their marriage. Ordered from the house Ann has no option but to turn to the baron for sanctuary. Slater attempting a reconciliation for their child’s sake tracks her to the baron house where a fight occurs with both men being mortally wounded. Ann returns to her child; finds her mother-in-law repentant, and the three return to France to repay the debt.
Their father, Michael Kalmar, imprisoned in Siberia, political refugees Ivan and Irma Kalmar seek freedom in Winnipeg, Canada. Encountering persecution at the hands of prejudiced neighbors, including their father's enemy, Makaroff. Ivan's violin playing both attracts Marjorie Menzies and earns him the enmity of District Attorney Mortimer Staunton, a rival for her affection. At a party at Makaroff's home, Irma is insulted, her abuser is slain and Ivan arrested. Her escapee father confesses to the murder but both men are freed when a family servant who admits to the murder.
1922
While visiting Egypt, Mrs. Graham steals a famous jewel called "The Eye of the World" from a mummy's sarcophagus and returns to the United States, planning to use the gem as collateral for a loan. Kah, the priestess in charge of protecting the tombs of Egyptian nobility, is soon on her trail , determined to retrieve the gem. Mrs. Graham's lovely daughter, Betty, agrees to marry a suitor for money to prop up her father's failing business. When the bridegroom is murdered on the couple's wedding night, and the body disappears, Phil Kelly decides to lend a hand in solving the crimes.
A young author, Everett Dryden Hale, has written a book of such strength and originality that it becomes one of the best sellers. The book is entitled "Waifs" and deals with the underworld, a subject of which Hale, who is a New Englander with a Puritanical strain, knows by personal experience, practically nothing at all.
Claire Curtis, Jimmie Strong and Mary have spent their childhood together in the country. Upon reaching adulthood, Claire goes to New York and becomes a success on stage. Jimmie, who has always dreamed of becoming an inventor, goes to New York to sell the machine he invented, and there he renews his acquaintance with Claire. Soon their old friendship ripens into love. Meanwhile, back in the country, Ralph and David Harding, who are making Jimmie's machine, plan to steal the right to it. Back in New York, Mary appears and informs Claire that she loves Jimmie, and the actress resolves to give her a chance to win him. When it appears that the Hardings' scheme to steal Jimmie's machine will succeed, however, Mary's ardor turns cold. Claire and Jimmie then rush back to the country in time to avert the takeover and save his firm from bankruptcy.
