Behind the Door (1919) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Krug's love for Alice and his devotion to revenge shape a life that ends in violence and a final reunion beyond death.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Suspicious Town and a Secret Love

The 1925 framing scene returns to Krug's abandoned shop and opens a long flashback. In 1917, suspicion of Krug and the town's doubts about his patriotism contrast with his growing love for Alice and his decision to enlist.

Key Events

• Krug Enters the Graveyard — In 1925, Krug enters a graveyard above the town. Characters: Oscar Krug Location: Graveyard above a coastal Maine town
• The Abandoned Shop — Krug returns to the abandoned shop he once owned. Characters: Oscar Krug Location: Krug's former taxidermy shop
• Memories Begin — At his former worktable, Krug becomes lost in memory. Characters: Oscar Krug Location: Krug's former taxidermy shop
• A German-American Under Suspicion — In 1917, townspeople regard Krug with suspicion and resentment. Characters: Oscar Krug Location: Coastal Maine town
• Krug Wins Alice's Heart — Krug wins Alice's love despite her father's disapproval. Characters: Oscar Krug, Alice Morse Location: Coastal Maine town
• War Declared Against Germany — News of war leads townspeople to question Krug's patriotism. Characters: Oscar Krug, Bill Tavish Location: Coastal Maine town
• Townspeople Challenge Krug — Tavish leads a confrontation over Krug's loyalty. Characters: Oscar Krug, Bill Tavish Location: Coastal Maine town
• The Town Fistfight — A mass fistfight breaks out amid the argument over Krug's patriotism. Characters: Oscar Krug, Bill Tavish Location: Coastal Maine town
• Tavish Accepts Krug — Tavish accepts Krug's devotion to his country. Characters: Oscar Krug, Bill Tavish Location: Coastal Maine town

Marriage and Separation

Krug and Alice marry in secret, but Matthew casts Alice out when he learns of the marriage. Alice stows away on Krug's Navy ship and is taken on as an assistant by the ship's nurse.

Key Events

• Tavish Accepts Krug — Tavish accepts Krug's devotion to his country. Characters: Oscar Krug, Bill Tavish Location: Coastal Maine town
• The Men Enlist — Krug and Tavish rush off together to enlist in the Navy. Characters: Oscar Krug, Bill Tavish Location: Navy enlistment
• A Secret Marriage — Krug and Alice marry secretly. Characters: Oscar Krug, Alice Morse Location: Unspecified
• Alice Is Cast Out — Matthew throws Alice out after learning of her secret marriage. Characters: Alice Morse, Matthew Morse Location: Matthew Morse's home
• Alice Boards the Navy Ship — Alice stows away aboard the ship commanded by Krug. Characters: Alice Morse, Oscar Krug Location: Navy ship
• Alice Joins the Ship's Nurse — The ship's nurse takes Alice on as an assistant before she tells Krug she is aboard. Characters: Alice Morse Location: Navy ship

The Shipwreck and Vow

Brandt's U-boat sinks Krug's ship, and Brandt abducts Alice from the lifeboat she shares with Krug. Krug vows revenge after losing her.

Key Events

• Krug's Ship Is Sunk — Brandt's U-boat sinks the ship commanded by Krug. Characters: Oscar Krug, Alice Morse, Lt. Brandt Location: At sea
• Brandt Abducts Alice — Brandt takes Alice from the lifeboat she shares with Krug. Characters: Oscar Krug, Alice Morse, Lt. Brandt Location: Lifeboat at sea
• Krug Vows Revenge — After Alice is abducted, Krug vows revenge. Characters: Oscar Krug Location: At sea

Revenge and Final Reunion

Krug sinks Brandt's submarine and lures Brandt into his cabin, where Brandt reveals Alice's fate. Krug kills Brandt; the story returns to 1925, where Krug dies and is reunited with Alice in death.

Key Events

• Brandt's Submarine Is Sunk — Now commanding another ship, Krug sinks a U-boat commanded by Brandt. Characters: Oscar Krug, Lt. Brandt Location: At sea
• Krug Lures Brandt — Krug welcomes Brandt, speaks German, and gets him drunk without revealing his identity. Characters: Oscar Krug, Lt. Brandt Location: Krug's cabin
• Brandt Boasts of Alice — Brandt boasts that Alice was abused and died. Characters: Oscar Krug, Lt. Brandt Location: Krug's cabin
• Krug Reveals Himself — Krug reveals his identity and binds Brandt behind a closet door. Characters: Oscar Krug, Lt. Brandt Location: Krug's cabin
• Krug Kills Brandt — Krug skins Brandt alive with his taxidermy tools; his first officers discover the act. Characters: Oscar Krug, Lt. Brandt Location: Krug's cabin
• Krug Dies at His Worktable — Back in 1925, Krug collapses at his former worktable and dies. Characters: Oscar Krug Location: Krug's former taxidermy shop
• Alice Reunites with Krug — Alice's spirit greets Krug's, and they are reunited in death. Characters: Oscar Krug, Alice Morse Location: Unspecified afterlife

Story Breakdown

• The Returning Sailor — The 1925 frame introduces Krug at the Maine town and his former taxidermy shop.
  • Graveyard Entrance — Krug enters a graveyard above the coastal town.
  • Abandoned Worktable — At his former shop worktable, Krug falls into memories.
• Suspicion and Patriotism — In 1917, the town questions Krug's loyalty because of his German-American background.
  • Town's Resentment — Townspeople treat Krug with suspicion and resentment.
  • Tavish's Challenge — Bill Tavish leads the confrontation over Krug's patriotism.
• Love and Enlistment — Krug and Alice pursue their relationship as war changes the town's focus.
  • Alice's Affection — Krug wins Alice's heart despite her father's disapproval.
  • Navy Enlistment — After Tavish accepts Krug, the two men rush off to enlist.
• Marriage and Rejection — The couple's secret marriage separates Alice from her father's home.
  • Secret Wedding — Krug and Alice marry without her father's approval.
  • Alice Cast Out — Matthew throws Alice out after discovering the marriage.
• Alice Aboard Ship — Alice finds a way to join Krug after being expelled from home.
  • Stowaway Journey — Alice secretly boards the Navy ship Krug commands.
  • Nurse's Assistant — The ship's nurse takes Alice on as an assistant before she tells Krug.
• Shipwreck and Abduction — Brandt's attack destroys Krug's ship and separates Alice from Krug.
  • U-Boat Attack — Brandt's submarine sinks Krug's ship.
  • Alice Taken — Brandt abducts Alice from the lifeboat she shares with Krug.
• Krug's Revenge — Krug's search for vengeance leads to a final confrontation with Brandt.
  • Brandt's Submarine Sunk — Krug sinks a U-boat commanded by Brandt.
  • Cabin Revelation — Brandt boasts about Alice's abuse and death before Krug reveals himself.
• Death and Reunion — The flashback ends and the 1925 framing story brings Krug's life to its close.
  • Brandt's Killing — Krug skins Brandt alive with his taxidermy tools.
  • Alice's Spirit — After Krug dies at his worktable, Alice's spirit greets him.

Directed by

Irvin Willat

Key Cast

• Hobart Bosworth — Oscar Krug
• Jane Novak — Alice Morse
• Wallace Beery — Lt. Brandt
• James Gordon — Bill Tavish
• Richard Wayne — McQuestion