Tenth Avenue (1928)

Joe, a weakling gangster, and Bob, an ex-gambler, compete for Lyla Mason, a working girl who also runs a 10th Avenue rooming house in New York City. Bob's desire to show Lyla he can support her leads him back to the gambling table when past-due rent threatens her with eviction. Bob and Joe are both suspected when Fink, a bootlegger, is found murdered in his room. It is revealed that Joe killed and robbed Fink to help Lyla pay the rent. Bob agrees to help Joe escape if he will promise to leave Lyla alone, but Joe double-crosses Bob, allowing him to be caught with the evidence. Her suspicions aroused, Lyla wrings a confession from Joe while hidden detectives listen. He is caught attempting a getaway, is shot, and dies in Lyla's arms. Lyla and Bob face a happy future.