False Faces

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• 1932
• 1 hr 13 mins
• Drama

• Watchlist

• Watchlist

Dr. Silas Brenton extorts money from patients at a free clinic, but when he is caught, the superintendent allows him to go free as long as he leaves New York. Brenton abandons his girl friend, Georgia Rand, and sets up practice as a plastic surgeon in Chicago with his partner, Dr. J. B. Parker, who had been involved in earlier graft schemes. With his receptionist, Elsie Fryer, who becomes his girl friend, Brenton has Con McCullough, head of a disreputable detective agency, spread the word that Brenton is in business. Brenton reaps publicity from the face lift of actress June Deering, and makes the Nation sisters, Dottie and Lottie, look as if they were beaten by the police, getting them off a charge that they assaulted an officer. Soon Brenton is a celebrated surgeon, but some of his clients suffer because of his surgery, including a banker's wife with whom he is having an affair, whose face lift has caused paralysis. In addition, Brenton promises to straighten the legs of Mrs. Finn, who now appears to be dying as a result of the surgery. Parker sends for Georgia, who arrives after the Medical Association inspects Brenton's hospital. When a warrant is issued for Brenton's arrest, Georgia reluctantly tips the police as to his whereabouts and Brenton is arrested trying to leave the city. Using his persuasive powers during the court trial, Brenton gets himself acquitted, but is unable to ease the furor of Mrs. Finn, whose legs had to be removed as a result of his surgery. Mrs. Finn shoots Brenton, and he dies while Georgia cries.