Louise Glaum, one of the premier vamps of the 1910s, plays Mercedes Murphy, the tough, but good-hearted, proprietor of a dance hall and saloon in a Western town. Two men, Mercedes' right-hand, "Slick" Blaney (Jack Richardson) and a drifter (also with a heart of gold) called "the Heller" (John Gilbert), are interested in her sister, Olive (Mildred Harris). But their comfy, red-light district existence is disturbed by the arrival of Reverend Gavin McGregor (William Conklin) who wants to clean up the town. He and Mercedes gain a grudging respect for each other, but then Olive is betrayed by Blaney. Mercedes thinks the reverend is responsible and goes gunning for him. But the Heller finds out the truth and shoots Blaney dead. Mercedes and the Reverend become friends and the town's red light district comes to an end.
by Janiss Garza
synopsis
