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It perhaps goes without saying that the 1918 drama Rich Man, Poor Man bore no relation to the 1976 TV miniseries of the same name. The earlier film served as a vehicle for Marguerite Clark, who though rapidly approaching forty was convincing as the gaminelike heroine. Born and raised in poverty, Clark has learned to expect very little out of life and thus is rather surprised to learn that she is the niece of a wealthy financier. Alas, this puts a crimp in her romance with a handsome young architect, who has long despised the financier for causing the downfall of the architect's father. All turns out well when it is discovered that Clark isn't related to the financier at all, but before this happy turn of events, the characters are forced to endure an endless parade of subplots involving forgery, theft and double deception.