The Footlights of Fate (1916)

Joan Thursday loses her job because she refuses to fall for the floorwalker and determines to go on the stage. Her father, a drunkard and poolroom fiend, chases her out of the house. The only two friends she has to go to she finds out of town. but finds a friend in John Matthias, a young playwright, a member of the same boarding house. John Matthias, in love with Venetia Tankerville, does not propose to her because of her wealth, and when she leads him to it he declares his love, she acquiesces, and Helena, who enters then is told and congratulates the couple. Marbridge, a silent partner with Arlington in a theatrical enterprise, of which Nella, Marbridge's mistress, is leading lady, accepts a play which Matthias has written, and they decide to put it on, Matthias getting their promise of a small part for Joan. Matthias, fascinated by Joan's charms, proposes to her and wins a consent. On return of the eloping pair, Marbridge having eloped with Venetia in order to get her money, meets Joan and is struck by her beauty, which he openly admires, much to the embarrassment of Matthias, Tankerville and Venetia. Through his influence her small part is taken away and she is given a bigger part. The night of the first performance he meets Joan and takes her to his apartment, where he has everything prepared for her. Nella grows suspicious, follows them to the apartment, finds Joan in his arms, and her jealousy overcoming her, she fires and shoots Marbridge, who falls unconscious. Realizing what she has done, Nella runs to him and hysterically tries to recall her action. Marbridge's valet takes her away, revives Marbridge, who gets Matthias on the phone, and later, when Matthias and Arlington arrive, gives Joan and Venetia in Matthias's keeping and Nella in Arlington's, he dies.