Movies Similar to The Mainspring

The Claws of the Hun(1918)

An American munitions manufacturer and his son become ensnarled with enemy agents from Germany during the First World War.

Sorrows of Happiness(1916)

When small town girl, Mary Carroll is jilted at the altar by slick city cad David Garrick she has a mental breakdown. The wedding had been set for 3:00 in the afternoon and each day at the appointed time Mary dresses in her wedding gown and waits forlornly. Witnessing this, Mary’s sister Grace swears vengeance. As time passes Grace moves to the city and finds success as a singer under the name Madame Mimi. One day Garrick attends one of her performances attempting to insinuate himself into her favor and Grace sees her chance for revenge.

Irma in Wonderland(1916)

Irma is waiting for her escort to take her to a party when she falls asleep and has the most terrible dream. She dreams that she is a poor little girl in the country and has to do all the chores. She gets into all kinds of trouble helping the other children and finally falls in the brook. But just as she is bewailing her fate her mother wakes her and says that Bennie has come to take her to the party. The dream is over and Irma is glad that it was only a dream.

A Romance of Old Baghdad(1922)

In nineteenth century Mesopotamia a series of romantic enganglements ensue.

The Flames of Chance(1918)

During World War I, Jeanette Gontreau becomes a "godmother" to three Allied soldiers imprisoned in a German camp. Describing herself as an old woman, she sends them cheerful letters and baskets of small gifts until one of the soldiers, Harry Ledyard, informs her that he has been released and will visit her in New York. Panic-stricken, Jeanette dons a wig and spectacles, and although she convinces Harry that she is old and gray, she soon falls in love with him. Harry worships his "godmother," and when secret service agents discover coded messages on her letters, he shields her by assuming the blame.

A Man of Quality(1926)

Jack Banning is a motorcycle cop by day and undercover agent by night. Disguising himself as "Strongarm Samson," Banning infiltrates a gang of smugglers headed by Richard Courtney.

Midnight Life(1928)

When his buddy is murdered a dedicated cop, goes after the gang responsible.

Harriet and the Piper(1920)

Harriet Field, living the Bohemian life in Greenwich Village, is tricked into a mock marriage with the unscrupulous Royal Blondin. She leaves him, taking a job as companion to the wealthy Nina Carter. Blondin reappears during a masquerade ball thrown by the Carters, makes advances to Nina but Harriet intervenes, bringing threats from Blondin to expose her past. When Nina’s faithless mother is killed in a car crash as she elopes with another man Richard Carter persuades Harriet to marry him for the sake of the children. She reveals all to her husband and Richard offers Blondin a hefty sum of money to stay out of Nina's life.

Es werde Licht! 2. Teil(1918)

A doctor who believes that only the immoral catch syphilis reconsiders his stance.

Es werde Licht!(1917)

A painter with syphilis infects his brother's wife and the child born of their affair.

In the Fall of '64(1914)

At a military hall in a Southern mansion the Confederate officers are amusing themselves. Captain Ford is the officer in charge and Virginia, the young hostess, is his sweetheart. At the height of their fun the sentries outside report the approach of Union soldiers. All officers hurry to their commands. At first the Confederates, having less men, attempt to outmarch the Federals. However, after a short time, they change plans and entrench themselves on the surrounding hills.

Arnljot(1927)

The year is 1025 and Arnljot Sunvisson has returned home after a long journey to find that his betrothed has married another.

Dáma s barzojem(1913)

The Big Fight(1930)

Based on the David Belasco stage production of the Max Marcin play in which heavyweight-champion Jack Dempsey played the role of the fighter, Tiger: This "behind-the-scenes look of a heavyweight-championship fight" looks much like all of the other boxing films in which the Champ gets involved in a frame-up and is asked to take a dive.

The Clown(1916)

Severely injured after saving the son of Judge Jonathan Le Roy from a team of runaway horses circus clown, Piffle is taken to recover at the Le Roy home where he falls in love with the judge’s daughter, Millicent. She however loves another, Dick Ordway and is secretly carrying his child. When he is reported to have perished in the desert Piffle steps forward to save Millicent’s reputation by being husband and father. Millicent agrees but the judge insists Piffle leave the circus and become a banker. Piffle acquiesces but when Dick reappears many complications ensue.

Partners(1916)

Through a series of coincidences and circumstances two men who are down on their luck but with an invention that might change their lives cross paths with a young woman of means who unwittingly will change all their fortunes for the better.

The Peddler(1917)

The itinerant Jewish country peddler Abraham Jacobs saves his pennies until he can afford to open a small second-hand clothing store. Unfortunately, Abraham's son Sonny has not inherited his father's decent, hardworking instincts so when his mistress, Mrs. Morgan, needs money Sammy robs Abraham's safe and then disappears. Time passes, and oil is discovered on a tract of land left to Abraham by his late wife. Although he can now afford to live comfortably with his adopted daughter Mary, Abraham still strongly feels the loss of his son. His life is finally made complete when Sammy returns repentant to marry Abraham's housekeeper Sarah, and the old peddler, his struggles now over, can spend the rest of his days surrounded by his family.

The Callahans and the Murphys(1927)

The story of two feuding Irish immigrant families living in a tenement.

Broadway Nights(1927)

Fannie joins Johnny to perform a music-hall act which becomes a success, until two Broadway producers catch the act and offer Fannie a job on their latest show; however, they have no place for Johnny, so Fannie turns down the offer. (Film considered lost.)

The Good Provider(1922)

A prosperous small-town peddler accedes to his family's wish to move from their secure existence to the uncertainty of New York City. It proves fruitless and eventually his kin sees the error of their ways and return to their true home.