Norma Talmadge stars as a woman of the streets in her final silent film. We know she has a heart of gold right off because in her first scene she hides a man running from the police. She also insults one of his pursuers by blowing face powder on him as he scolds her for being a tramp. They will meet again.
After an unfortunate incident in her room, two young military men (Gilbert Roland and Arnold Kent) appear and eventually help believe her story and shield her from the police. Both men are smitten with her and decide to help her go straight and get a job. While the men shower her with attention, she blossoms as a "good woman." But one morning she visits Roland in his apartment just before Kent arrives. He assumes the worst because of his jealousy. Soon thereafter World War I breaks out and the Russian Kent will not be on the same side as the Austrian Roland.
Before he goes off to war, Roland gives Talmadge his mother's wedding ring as a token of their marriage of the hearts. Bells ring in the distance.
Eventually, the cruel man from the street turns up again with a royal couple in tow and there's also a Catholic priest who are all sentenced to be shot for trying to escape the town the Russians (under Kent) have taken. Only if Talmadge willingly gives herself to Kent will he allow the others to live. Talmadge is placed in a moral predicament. Will she forsake Roland's love and symbolic marriage to save herself and the others? An unforeseen plot twist makes up her mind for her.
At age 34, Talmadge is at the height of her talent here, easily making the transition from prostitute to good woman. She's beautifully photographed in her peasant clothes. Gilbert Roland, looking a lot like John Gilbert, is also good as the Austrian as is Arnold Kent as the Russian. Gustav von Seyffertitz is the cruel man, Gladys Brockwell and Nicholas Soussanin are the Count and Countess. Michael Vavitch is the priest.
The film was released in two versions: a straight silent version and a silent version with synchronized music and sound effects. The sound disks are presumed lost. The film spawned a hit tune "Woman Disputed (I Love You)" This was Talmadge's final silent film (she appeared in 160 silents); she would make only two attempts at talkies and then retired from the screen at age 36. Gilbert Roland would make his talkie debut in Talmadge's first talkie NEW YORK NIGHTS in 1930. Arnold Kent was run over and killed in 1928.
