Acting
Molly is a young woman who out of desperation after failing to find work steals a pocketbook from a society woman, Blanche Armstrong. This act leads her into a legal conflict involving the District Attorney, Roger Hackett, who uses the situation to pursue his own lustful interests.
Chief of Police Ivorytop and Chief of Detectives Sherlock Bonehead, of Rottenport, fall in love with Helen, a girl from the city
Arthur, who has been out the night before, is late to breakfast, much to the annoyance of his wife. When he finally makes his appearance in the dining room he finds that he has no appetite, and after a stormy scene he leaves for the office. Arthur's grouch hangs on until he encounters his friend, John. Both are ardent baseball fans, and a discussion of the game revives the husband's spirits to such an extent that he decides to send his wife a box of flowers as a peace offering.
Driven to desperation by his wife's nagging, Mr. Nag, who ordinarily is as meek as any lamb, rebels, and is ordered to leave the house. He does, and when offered the opportunity to follow the burglar's trade, jumps at it. Habit forces him to pick up a squalling baby in the first house he enters
After he learns hypnotism, a husband uses it on his wife and mother-in-law. While they're in a trance, he goes out on the town with other women.
A California fisherman starts with his family for a trip up the coast. When the party finds a desirable location, the girls begin to gather shellfish while the men ply their trade. When the fishermen attempt to return, their boat is wrecked in the surf and they are caught in the rocks. As evening comes on the girls leave for the camp and are startled by hearing a gunshot. They investigate and find that a hunter, bitten by a rattlesnake, has fired to attract attention. The girls assist the hunter to dress his wound and as they depart they sight the fishermen imprisoned on the rocks. With the assistance of their newfound friend they succeed in rescuing their relatives.
Bill interrupts a dress rehearsal in a wooded section, being held by several society girls who are to give classical dances at an entertainment. The girls hit upon the idea of having Bill portray the role of the mythical Pan at the entertainment. Bill is entirely satisfied, especially so as the girls dress him in good clothes in order that he look the part of a gentleman. The entertainment comes 'round, and Bill, introduced as "Professor Hobo," makes a hit with the guests.
Marlin takes his daughter, Ethel, to the seashore in hopes that she will annex a rich husband. The father meets Bill, who looks like "ready money." Marlin introduces the young man to Ethel. The girl promptly takes a dislike to the man. The following day Don saves Ethel from drowning. Bill, who witnessed the incident, feared to go to the rescue because he might ruin his clothes. Ethel and Don fall in love with each other. Bill later asks Marlin for Ethel's hand. The father consents. Ethel stormily declares she will not marry him.
A short comic film in which the Count has found a bride, namely Mr. Krapaan’s extravagant daughter. A tramp then steals his clothes, and goes to the wedding in the Count’s place. Krapaan wants his extravagant daughter to marry Count De Bluffe, whom he believes to be wealthy. When De Bluffe is taking a bath, his clothes are stolen by a tramp. The tramp then pretends to the Krapaan family that he is the Count, but is unmasked by the real De Bluffe. But when the tramp, peeking through the window, sees that the bride is actually ugly and bald, he is glad that he is off the hook. After the wedding, the tramp puts on the bride’s wig, which causes De Bluffe to experience great regret.
After screams from a beautiful house draw neighbors and the police, Victor Bailey is shot and wounded while leaving the premises. Investigation reveals that an unknown assailant attacked Cynthia Holmes, a blind musician, and her secretary, killing the latter. Despite Cynthia's objections, Bailey, who claims to have been investigating the scream, is arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death. To keep Cynthia's mind occupied, her friends persuade her to give a benefit recital at the house; there, she shakes hands with music critic Harry Warren, whom she instantly accuses of the murder, having recognized his touch. Warren escapes but is pursued by Detective Hayden, who tricks him into a confession. Bailey is freed and marries Cynthia, and the birth of their first child restores her sight.
When newlywed Robert Ellis suspects that his missing wife is having a clandestine affair, he appeals to his friend, Pat Murphy, to find her. Pat's search leads him to the Waldorf-Astoria where he finds a woman named Edna Ellis and, assuming that she is Ellis' errant wife, kidnaps her and returns her to Ellis. Complications arise when the real Mrs. Ellis arrives home and discovers another woman. After several comic incidents, Pat falls in love with Edna and Ellis learns that his wife's secret rendezvous was with her sister.
Renee is a French artist's model who uses morphine as an escape from the dull reality of her life. She recommends it to a neurotic artist because "it kindles the fires of genius." The artist quickly becomes addicted to the drug and the quality of his work begins to disintegrate. He takes on a new model, marries her, and starts her on the same path of moral degradation, until a guilt-ridden Renee decides to intervene in order to save them both. According to silent film historian Kevin Brownlow, THE DEVIL'S NEEDLE was banned by the state of Ohio, but the censor board reversed its decision after recognizing the positive message beneath the film's scandalous surface. This special edition was mastered from a 35mm preservation print of the 1923 re-release version. The only known surviving copy, the element suffers significant nitrate decomposition during some scenes.
Frayed Fagin is attacked by a particularly aggressive bulldog. Before the animal's desire for battle is satisfied, the hobo's clothes are in tatters. A hospital attendant throws some old clothes in the field with the intention of burning them. He has forgotten matches and returns to get some. While the man is gone, Fagin finds the clothes and walks off with them. Later, arrayed in the suit he has found, the hobo peers over a fence and sees a farmer sleeping near some beehives. The hobo accidentally knocks the hives over. The bees emerge and make things hum for the farmer and the hobo.
