Robert Du Couedic

Une nuit sans lune, deux hommes s'évadent du bagne de Devil's Island. L'un d'eux est banquier et s'appelle Paul Lavond ; l'autre est un savant-fou nommé Marcel. Les deux hommes parviennent à se réfugier chez le savant qui ne tarde pas à dévoiler son invention révolutionnaire : une technique pour rétrécir les êtres vivants. Malheureusement, le processus de rapetissement endommage le cerveau des victimes mais permet ainsi de les contrôler par la pensée, comme des poupées. Lorsque Marcel décède subitement, Lavond s'empare de l'invention et, dissimulé à Paris sous les traits d'une vieille femme, fomente un plan diabolique : se venger des gens qui l'ont envoyé au bagne...

On her debut as an opera star, Marion Stuart is interrogated and possibly implicated in the death of a male acquaintance. Released, although thoroughly shaken-up, Marion attempts to perform but loses her voice onstage. Humiliated, but driven to sing, she travels to South America under the assumed name of Maria Delasano, and works in an opera company under the tutelage of Feodor Glinka, who wants her to shun men and save herself for her art. Mary resists the persistent attentions of wealthy young Phil Roberts, who follows the company in hopes of marrying her. ...

We find con-man Ingraham Steward living by his wits by steering wealthy Paris visitors to sellers of fake paintings and other assorted dodges. He and his wife, Agatha, have been separated for 15 years, but he promises to give their daughter, Joyce, a lavish wedding at his "château" in France. The fact that he doesn't have a château in France is just a minor trifle. He induces the caretaker, Bill Cherau, of a large country estate to allow it to be used for the wedding. The wedding party arrives and Bill falls madly in love with Joyce and she with him, but a gal has gotta do what a gal has gotta do, and her intended marriage to stuffed-shirt Horace Miller stays on the books. But Steward has a change of heart and he tells one and all that he and his friends, Von Gersdorff, Lefevre, Iznamof, Clifton Summitt and Sasch, are all frauds and crooks. Horace and his family stalk out, which is just fine with Joyce as her true love, the caretaker, is waiting on the grounds.

Two reporters pose as man and wife in order to get the goods on a munitions supplier and the rumours of war in Europe.