A review of Hollywood's treatment of crime in the movies. Some historical footage of famous American criminals and gangsters. Narrated by Broderick Crawford.
Opening titles.
Famous finale shot from "The Great Train Robbery": MS of a moustachioed outlaw wearing a cowboy hat pointing pistol at camera; he shoots.
Wipe to montage of brief clips of early silent crime films (mostly people getting shot and fighting with guns).
Quick clip of dancing woman (considered indecent at the time)
Early aviation and automobiles.
Cut to Main Title card and excerpts from "The Great Train Robbery" starring Bronco Billy Anderson: train heist and resolute gunfight with hammy death scenes.
Al Jennings, famous outlaw actor, cut to title card and scenes from "The Lady of the Dug-Out": Al Jennings holds up a bank, has gunfight on street, escapes on horseback with posse.
Excerpt from sequence of D.W. Griffith's epic, "Intolerance".