- The story of two young sisters: one a demure musician in love with a scoundrel who's no good for her; the other a wild free spirit who is the object of a shy young carpenter's affections.
- Dominic Beaumont, a violin-mender in a country village, is extremely proud of his daughter Priscilla, who has inherited her mother's musical ability. His other daughter, Unity, capably runs the household, but Dominic calls her a "girl without a soul" because she lacks Priscilla's talent. Ivor, a traveling musician who previously seduced and abandoned a young girl after promising to make her famous, tells Priscilla that with money she could be a success. When Priscilla learns that Unity's sweetheart, village blacksmith Hiram Miller, has been entrusted with funds for the new church organ, Ivor convinces her to steal the money. After Hiram is arrested, Unity masquerades as Priscilla to elope with Ivor, and denounces him when he asks for the money. Priscilla gives the money to Unity, who is suspected of the theft because she refuses to squeal on Priscilla. After Priscilla appears in court and exposes Ivor, Hiram on horseback overtakes Ivor in an auto and drags him to court. Priscilla reassures Dominic that he has misjudged Unity.—Pamela Short
- Dominic Beaumont, mender of violins, lives in a country village with his twin daughters, Unity and Priscilla. Priscilla has inherited a talent for music from her mother. Unity is skilled in household duties. On account of her lack of artistic temperament her father considers her "a girl without a soul." Ivor, a traveling musician, is attracted by Priscilla and gives her music lessons. He tells her that she has a great future before her. She is unsuspicious of the man's true character, and knows nothing of the girl Louise, whom Ivor also promised "to make," but who now lives in the city in abject misery. Unity's sweetheart is the village blacksmith, Hiram Miller. To Hiram has been entrusted the church fund for a new organ. Hiram obtains Beaumont's permission to pay for a term at boarding school for Unity. Ivor tells Priscilla the only thing that stands in the way of her success is the lack of funds. Priscilla thinks of the money in Hiram's desk and steals it. In Hiram's absence the church committee goes to his rooms to get the money to pay for the organ, which has arrived. They find the money gone. On Hiram's return to town with Unity from her graduation, he is accused of stealing the money entrusted to him. In vain he protests. Miss Hateman, on the committee, is also the village storekeeper, and she says that Hiram has plenty of money to buy dresses for young women. Unity intercepts a note sent by Ivor to Priscilla, telling her where to meet him, so that they may elope. Donning Priscilla's cape, Unity keeps the appointment, and thinking she is her sister, Ivor takes her to a country hotel. He tells her that through a misunderstanding the minister will not be able to marry them until the morning, but asks at once for the money. The disappearance of the money is then clear to Unity. She denounces Ivor, locks him in the room and escapes. When she confronts her sister, Priscilla confesses to having stolen the money. She gives it to Unity, who promises to shield her. Hiram is placed on trial. Everything looks black for him. when Unity rushes in with the money. She is accused of the theft. She protests her innocence, but refuses to say who is the guilty person. Ivor has escaped from the inn and comes for Priscilla. He asks at once for the money. Realizing that it is more for the money than herself that he has returned, she leaves him and rushes to the courthouse, where she tells the truth. Hiram slips from the courthouse, and goes in pursuit of Ivor. He overtakes the musician and takes him back to the village. He hands Ivor over to the authorities. Priscilla tells her father, "You have always misjudged Unity. It is she who has the soul, not I. I've been narrow and selfish, but I'm going to do better now."
The Moving Picture World, September 1, 1917
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By what name was The Girl Without a Soul (1917) officially released in Canada in English?
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