The New Disciple on AllMovie

This preachy film, based on the book by John Arthur Nelson, also uses quotes from former president Woodrow Wilson's book, The New Freedom. Wilson's book supported several ideas, including profit-sharing and social equality, which were considered radical -- and perhaps almost communistic -- at the time. Unfortunately, this drama often seems more like a lecture about these concepts instead of entertainment. After World War I, Peter Manning, a mill owner (Alfred Allen), becomes a greedy capitalist and the workers rebel at his harsh treatment of them. Their leader is John McPherson (Pell Trenton), who is in love with Fanning's daughter, Mary (Norris Johnson). When Fanning loses his mill, the workers take it over with the financial help of a group of farmers. In the end, Fanning sees the error of his ways and blesses the union between his daughter and McPherson.