Thought to be "the worst woman in Hollywood" because of her vampire roles and lurid publicity, Inez Laranetta actually is more concerned with shielding her younger sister, Fay Bartholdi, from the life she knows--especially the devastating impulses of men. Stewart Cuyler, a wealthy and socially prominent New Yorker, is the only man Inez respects, but she refuses even his attentions. When Stewart searches for the man he believes to be his rival, he falls in love with Fay. Inez learns of their courtship, assumes Stewart's intentions to be dishonorable, and hastens to the scene intending to separate the couple. Stewart explains that he wishes to marry Fay but that Inez must give up her sister. For the sake of Fay's happiness, Inez sadly withdraws and finds some consolation in the love of her manager, Pat Summerfield.—AFI
Inez Bartholdi, known professionally as Inez Laranetta, is famous for her "vamp" roles on screen. She is known as "the worst woman in Hollywood" due to her lurid publicity. She is a mercenary gold-digger, who makes her admirers pay dearly for their adoration. She throws a bathing party, which results in a police raid and much notoriety in the papers. Millionaire Stewart Cuyler, who is the only man that interests Inez, becomes disgusted with her. He notices that after every film she completes, she heads to New York, which makes him suspect she is seeing another man there. He investigates a cottage in a small town, from which she is always receiving letters. But Inez' secret is that she has a younger sister, Fay, who lives in that cottage. Inez has sheltered and cared for the girl, and raised her out of poverty. Fay is unaware of her sister's reputation. Stewart meets Fay at the cottage. Without knowing the relationship between Fay and Inez, Stewart falls for the girl. When an alarming wire arrives from Fay's governess, Inez quits work in the middle of a big-budget picture and hurries to New York. Her devoted manager, Pat Summerfield, follows her. Inez arrives to discover Fay and Stewart out riding. She conceals herself, and after Stewart leaves, quizzes her sister. Satisfied that nothing dishonorable has happened yet, she confronts Stewart in his New York apartment. Because of her great anger, she decides to "vamp" him and woo him away from her sister. But she is astonished to learn that Stewart actually loves Fay and wants to marry her. Inez tells him the truth about her relationship with Fay. While Stewart is horrified at the information, he is firm in his intent to marry Fay. He insists that Inez step out of her sister's life. Inez reluctantly agrees, knowing her sister's happiness would be destroyed if Fay learned about Inez' reputation. Fay gets married in a church. Unbeknownst to her, Inez is huddled in a back pew, crying. Inez' manager, Pat Summerfield, tells her she is the finest woman in Hollywood, and the two find happiness together.
