Back of the Man (1917)

Sub-Genres - Melodrama  |   Countries - United States  |  
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Synopsis by Janiss Garza

Larry Thomas (Charles Ray) is a country lad who comes to the city to work as an office boy for a friend of his father's. Through the aid of stenographer Ellen Holton (Dorothy Dalton), he works his way up in the company until he is the secretary of President Brooks (J. Barney Sherry). Brooks sees a lot of potential in the boy and wants him to marry his daughter, Muriel (Margaret Thompson). Ellen, although heartbroken, bows out and Larry becomes engaged to Muriel. But Sid (Jack Livingston), a companion from Muriel's past escapades, begins blackmailing her. She goes with Sid to her father's office one night in search of some securities, but she can't find them. Sid thinks she is hiding something and threatens her with a gun. In the ensuing struggle, she is accidentally shot and killed -- just as Larry walks in and picks up the gun. He is arrested for Muriel's murder and put on trial. Ellen quietly marries him so that she will not be able to testify against him. Things look bad for Larry, but Sid is captured and finally fesses up, Larry is released and he and Ellen are reunited. Charles Ray's star, at this point, was still on the ascent, and Dorothy Dalton was billed over him.

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