The Padrone's Ward - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

An Italian girl living in the heart of the East Side, supporting her guardian by peddling plaster casts made by a cripple who lives in the same cheaply furnished apartment with them. The girl is abused and starved. All the while the ...See moreAn Italian girl living in the heart of the East Side, supporting her guardian by peddling plaster casts made by a cripple who lives in the same cheaply furnished apartment with them. The girl is abused and starved. All the while the cripple looks on with sorrowing eyes, afraid to raise his hand in protest. The cripple loves the girl and attempts to tell her so. She repulses him. The padrone, the girl's guardian, is the leader of a gang of thieves and blackmailers. He rules with an iron hand. The cripple, against his inclination, is a member of this gang, and is forced to do the padrone's bidding. The little Italian girl, sick through abuse and lack of food, sinks fainting to the street while making her daily rounds. An Italian-American banker, passing in his automobile, observes her. Taking her into his machine he drives to her home. The money he leaves for her care is appropriated by the padrone. The banker calls often. The girl soon recovers. This banker has been a victim of the Black Hand Society. He refuses to respond to the threatening letters and seeks the aid of the protective association. Plain clothes men are put on the case. The blackmailers determine his death. In drawing cuts, the cripple picks the unlucky number, which appoints him as the one to commit the murder. He attempts to carry the bidding out, but fails at the last moment. His love triumphs. He warns the girl of her sweetheart's danger. The girl seeks to warn the banker. The banker escapes death. The blackmailers are captured and sent to prison. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less