Thorns and Orange Blossoms (1922)

It is a surprising and little-known fact that Louis J. Gasnier, who today is most well known for directing the unintentionally hilarious Reefer Madness, was a well-respected filmmaker during the 1910s and '20s. This passionate drama was welcomed by exhibitors of the day. While traveling through Spain on business, Southerner Alan Randolph (Kenneth Harlan) becomes involved with Rosita Mendez, a fiery singer (Estelle Taylor). Randolph's friend, Barnes Ramsey (Arthur Hull), convinces him to forget the singer and return to New Orleans, where his sweetheart, Violet Beaton (Edith Roberts), is faithfully waiting. But Rosita is not thrown over so easily -- she follows Randolph to New Orleans. Rudolph, who is now afraid of his Spanish flame, elopes with Violet. They keep the marriage a secret, and plan an actual ceremony at Violet's home. When Randolph finds out that Rosita plans to disrupt the proceedings, he goes to plead with her. Rosita points a gun at him, and in the ensuing struggle she is shot. She claims that Randolph shot her and sends him to jail. Later on, when Rosita discovers that Randolph and Violet have already married, and that she has had a baby, she helps get him released so he can return to his family. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi