Youth and Madness (1913)

• 74%
• 1913
• Urban Gad
• Asta Nielsen
• Hans Mierendorff
• Fritz Weidemann

Peter Shanley receives a note from his uncle requesting him, for financial reasons, to marry Nora, the daughter of Schmidt, a wealthy banker. Peter feels obliged to comply with his uncle's wish, but matters are complicated by his love for Florence Ward. When this young woman hears how matters stand, she determines to take a hand in the game herself, and disguised in boy's clothes accompanies Peter to his uncle's home. Florence, introduced as Howard Long, attempts to play the part of a man, even to smoking a cigar, and finally is led to the same bed chamber as her lover. Here an amusing series of happenings precedes Florence's departure to the drawing-room, where she spends the night on a lounge. The next day she accompanies the men to a barber shop to be shaved, after which they all journey to Schmidt's estate. Florence cleverly schemes to retain the love of Peter and in every way works to hinder the success of Nora. Finally she secures the note for $10,000 with which Schmidt has threatened to ruin her lover's uncle. In her guise of an attractive young man she carries on a flirtation with Nora. The guests at a party see on a window shade the shadow of Nora and a man kissing her. Schmidt jumps to the conclusion that his daughter and Shanley have accepted each other and announces their engagement. In due time Florence discloses the fact that she, not Shanley, made love to Nora and secured the note against the young man's uncle. Peter and Florence are united with the good wishes of all concerned.