What Money Can't Buy (1917)

Wealthy American financier Madison Hale is bidding against Govrian Texler, the financial advisor to the King of Maritizia for the concession to run a transcontinental railway through the country. When Hale's son Dick completes his college education, he decides to visit Maritizia, the birthplace of his great-grandfather. There he meets Princess Irenia and they fall in love, arousing the jealousy of Ferdinand Vaslof, Texler's nephew, who is also in love with the princess. Ferdinand has Dick imprisoned on false charges, and when Hale, Sr. arrives to look after his business affairs, the princess proposes that he kidnap her and her brother and hold them as willing hostages for Dick's safety. Hale then enters the Council Chamber, secures the loan with which Texler had held the king in his power, and forces him to sign an order for Dick's release. After all the prisoners are released, the nobility of Dick's great-grandfather is established and he and the Princess receive their fathers' blessings.