The Soul of Youth  The Soul of Youth is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by William Desmond Taylor, produced and distributed by Realart Pictures. Produced under the working title "The Boy", it stars Lewis Sargent and Lila Lee. The film has been preserved in the Library of Congress collection. As described in a film magazine, Ed Simpson (Sargent), victim of prenatal influence and an unloved childhood, is introduced into the orphanage where his liveliness has made him the butt of taunting orphans and menacing officials. Love first comes into his life when he acquires a dog, and when it is ousted he follows, taking to the streets with his pal Mike (Butterworth). Through cunning the two boys obtain incriminating evidence that keeps a rascally politician from office. This paves the way for the clear supremacy of his rival, who gives Ed a home and adopts him. The getting of papers by the boys helps adjust a troubled love affair between Vera Hamilton (Lee) and Dick Armstrong (Collier), two friends of the youth, and makes possible their marriage. When Ed after leaving the home steals to satisfy his hunger, he helps himself to canned goods on the shelves of the Hamiltons, who eventually become his foster parents.