An Officer and a Gentleman (1914)

• 70%
• 1914
• Drama
• Harry Lambart
• Arthur Ashley
• Charles Wellesley
• Naomi Childers

The Colonel's wife, Mrs. Cavendish, has an extravagant interest in Billy Brinkley, an army lieutenant, the hero of the army and navy game. When he is assigned to the Colonel's command, her attentions to him are noted and reproved by her husband, who fears gossip. Billy is in love with her sister, Joy Grayson, whom Captain Sutherland also wishes to marry, although he is carrying on a clandestine affair with the Sergeant's wife, Jane Smedley. His presents to Jane are discovered by the Sergeant and she defiantly acknowledges them, Billy and Joy's engagement arouses the jealousy of both Mrs. Cavendish and Sutherland. At a card party, Sutherland's bad feeling toward Billy crops out and they are only prevented from conflict by the other men present. Billy returns to his quarters to find Mrs. Cavendish awaiting him there. She pleads that she can't give him up to her sister. Billy quiets her and insists upon showing her home. Smedley goes to Sutherland and the same night to beg him to cease his dishonorable attentions to Jane. Sutherland replies insultingly. They quarrel, Sutherland springs upon Smedley. In the struggle between Sutherland and Smedley, Smedley stabs Sutherland, killing him. The murder is discovered at once. Billy suspected and found absent from his quarters. Confronted upon his return, he realizes that he cannot prove an alibi without compromising the Colonel's wife. He is arrested by the civil authorities and at the Central Criminal Court the evidence is strongly against him. Mrs. Cavendish finally breaks down and confesses to her husband that she was the woman with Billy. He demands a public confession from her, in court, to clear Billy. As she is about to confess to the court, Smedley. conscience-stricken, rushes in ahead of her and admits that he killed Sutherland. Billy is accordingly exonerated, and he and Joy are united. Mrs. Cavendish's good name is preserved and Smedley receives his just punishment.