The Smite of Conscience's primary photo
  • The Smite of Conscience (1917)
  • Short | Short, Drama
Primary photo for The Smite of Conscience
The Smite of Conscience (1917)
Short | Short, Drama
When Helen Girard learns of her husband's mode of life she refuses to accept support from him. Girard is a drunken and worthless specimen of the wealthy criminal class. She lives in his home, however, in order to conserve her family ...See moreWhen Helen Girard learns of her husband's mode of life she refuses to accept support from him. Girard is a drunken and worthless specimen of the wealthy criminal class. She lives in his home, however, in order to conserve her family reputation, but supports herself by writing articles for a morning newspaper. She is assigned by the editor to study the sociological aspects of the New York night courts, and in the execution of her duty is brought many times in the company of Exton Manley, a lawyer. In an altercation with her husband, Helen struggles with him for the possession of a revolver with which he has declared his intention of killing her. She is knocked unconscious, and when she regains her senses she sees her husband lying on the floor, dead, with the discharged pistol beside him. James Hale, the butler, who had sworn vengeance on his employer, is arrested for the crime and prosecuted by Manley to a conviction and sentence of death. Only after the man's sentence does Manley realize the full enormity of his action, he having been convinced from the beginning that the woman he loves had fired the shot which killed Girard in order to save her own life. When she failed to confess to him he believed that she had killed with intent, but his affection for the supposed slayer forced him to protect her at another's expense. Manley goes through tremendous mental torture during the days that precedes the date of Hale's execution. Helen notices the peculiar attitude of Manley, but she does not suspect that he believes her guilty. Just as Father Burke has finished administering the last rites to the condemned butler, he receives a complete confession from him to the effect that it was he who had killed Girard. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
George Terwilliger (as George W. Terwilliger)
Writer
Edith Sessions Tupper (story)
See all filmmakers & crew (2)
Trending

Become a member to see MOVIEmeter and news information about The Smite of Conscience.
Status
Edit Released
Updated Feb 7, 1917
Release date
Feb 7, 1917 (United States)

Contacts

+ Add

Become a member to see contact information for The Smite of Conscience.

Cast

 + Add Cast
3 cast members
Name Known for
Earl Metcalfe's primary photo
Earl Metcalfe
Actor Actor   See fewer
Ignorance (1916)
Helen Greene's primary photo
Helen Greene
Helen Girard Helen Girard   See fewer
Bab's Diary (1917)
William H. Turner's primary photo
William H. Turner
Actor (as W.H. Turner) Actor (as W.H. Turner)   See fewer
The Last Performance (1929)
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.
There was an issue loading this tab.

MOVIEmeter

Members only

Become a member to access additional data

Ratings Breakdown

+ Add external reviews