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The Awakening resurrected the time-honored bromide about the brilliant peasant artist who is seduced and corrupted by wicked old Paris. This time it's painter Jacques Revilly (Montague Love), who ends up plying his trade only to support his liquor habit. But after rescuing street waif Marguerite (Dorothy Kelly), he is suddenly inspired to scale the artistic heights. Jacques gives up his drinking and finally achieves fame and fortune. Alas, Marguerite is lured away by rapacious Horace Chapron (John Davidson), who plies her with drugs and exercises his advantage. In a blind rage, Jacques seeks out Chapron and challenges him to a duel. Though Jacques loses, he manages to survive his wounds and is reconciled with Marguerite -- and the experience "inspires" him more than ever! Some of the finer plot points of The Awakening were a bit muddled: for example, the audience was never quite certain if the supporting character played by Frank Beamish was named Varny or Maxime.