Should She Obey? (1917)

Inspired by his wife Lorna, shiftless William Gordon discovers a welding process worth millions and becomes president of a large corporation. Henry Blake, a friend of Gordon's from his indolent days, is forced to marry when his girl friend Mamie gives birth to a daughter, who is sent to live in a convent. Becoming infatuated with actress Marie Gibson, Gordon leaves Lorna and his son William, Jr. and promises to install Marie in society. After the dance hall that he is running is raided, Blake blackmails Gordon with the threat of exposing his illicit affair. With the extortion money, Blake deserts Mamie and opens up his own dance hall where he employs his daughter to entertain the idle rich. Meanwhile, both Mamie and Lorna have obtained divorces in Reno and are living together when they learn that Blake intends to force his daughter to marry a wealthy man. Together the women rescue the girl and justice is served when society refuses to sanction Gordon's remarriage to Marie and the pair are driven by ostracism to Europe.