The Mighty McGurk

Former heavyweight champion Roy 'Slag' McGurk now works as a bouncer in Mike Glenson's Bowery saloon, keeping order among rough crowds. He lives on the edge of poverty despite his past fame. The strain of his current life contrasts with the memory of his glory days.

Mike needs to fetch his daughter Caroline, who has just returned from Europe by ship. Slag is sent to the port to bring her back and begins the uneasy process of dealing with family tensions. He also reveals to Johnny Burden that Mike intends to pull them apart.

At Ellis Island, an acquaintance offers to pay Slag to round up 50 new immigrants for work. The assignment drags Slag into a shady scheme that tests his ethics. The fiftieth immigrant turns out to be a young English boy named Nipper, who has been sent to America to live with his uncle Milbane.

Rival recruiters clash, and Nipper loses or discards the tag bearing Milbane's address. Slag begins a determined search for Milbane but finds no straightforward path to handing the boy over. In the end, he cannot shake free from custody and keeps both Nipper and a stray dog saved from dogcatchers.

Mike moves to occupy the Salvation Army building to make room for his new Bowery saloon. He demands Slag force the Army to leave, and when Slag refuses, he blackmails him with the claim that Slag's championship bout was fixed. He then offers Slag a $2000 partnership in the new saloon, hoping to secure Slag's loyalty or a future reward from Milbane.

The Children's Protective Society learns about Nipper. To keep the boy, Slag agrees to join the Salvation Army, under Johnny's command. This step ties Slag to a new family and a new set of loyalties.

Slag locates Milbane but discovers that Nipper's guardian is a crook who wants him for money. A loud argument reveals that Slag's motive was really the reward. Crushed, Nipper chooses to stay with the Salvation Army.

News of Slag's scheme reaches Mamie Steeple, the pawnshop owner who had loaned him money for years. She ends their friendship, leaving Slag with less financial support. The loss deepens Slag's personal and professional conflict.

Mike pressures Slag to stage a riot at the Salvation Army, but Slag rebels by exposing the rigged bout and fighting the men he recruited. Johnny Burden joins the fray, and together they beat the mob arrayed against them. The Salvation Army's supporters rally behind Slag and Johnny.

Caroline discovers what Slag tried to do and decides to leave, packing her belongings in a quiet confrontation that marks a turning point for both father and daughter.

Mike gives up and tells Johnny to go after Caroline, shifting the dynamic of loyalties. Johnny agrees, reinforcing the sense that loyalty to Caroline will overshadow old feuds. Slag's immediate threat of exile dissolves as the conflict widens to family matters.

With the way clear to adopting Nipper, Slag asks Mamie for a loan of $200 to pay for a wedding. He secures the loan and begins a hopeful new chapter for himself, Nipper, and Mamie's support as they build a family.