The Organ Grinder (1912)

• 46%
• 1912
• Drama
• Romance
• George Melford
• Carlyle Blackwell
• Alice Joyce
• William H. West

Pasquale, an old Italian inn-keeper, is secretly in league with a party of bandits, but is extremely diplomatic in keeping his guests from becoming suspicious. His daughter, Pepina, is in love with Bariola, an organ grinder, who often serves as guide for the tourists and she takes good care of the young man's savings in anticipation of their coming marriage. One day Bariola is attacked by brigands and is rescued by an American who is on his way to the inn with his wife. This timely assistance earns the Italian's gratitude and he is later in a position to demonstrate his appreciation. The bandits inform Pasquale that wealthy Americans are stopping at his place and a plan is made to rob them. Pasquale permits himself to be bound in a chair that he may not be suspected of complicity. While the bandits are attempting to force the tourists' door, the American is attracted by strains of music beneath the window, where Bariola sits with Pepina in the moonlight. The tourist hastily drops a note through the shutters. This is picked up by Pepina who takes the grind organ and continues the music while Bariola hastens for help. The organ grinder gathers several officers who hasten to the inn where a desperate struggle takes place, the bandits being overpowered and conducted to jail. In liberating Pasquale, one of the officers, who has been suspicious of the landlord, warns him to keep out of bad company. Several weeks later we see Bariola and Pepina in a cozy home which has been provided by the generous Americans.