The Essential Watchlist Similar Cinematic Experiences to A Bird of ...

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Two pairs of newlyweds are riding on a bus when the wives notice the strong resemblance between their husbands. Mrs. McGuire realizes that a police detective's car is following the bus and hatches a plot with Mrs. Williams to switch their husbands' identities long enough for Pinkey to escape from the police.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

A bank clerk forges a check to help his girlfriend's father. He's found out, but instead of being arrested he becomes a member of a gang of forgers.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Jim the Penman perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Rosa Roma, an aspiring singer, is signed by backer Ogden Ward on condition that she not fall in love, appear in public, or use her own name. But she meets composer Griffith Ames, falls in love with him, and stars in his new opera. When Ward upbraids her, Rosa tries to satisfy her contract by means of a ruby necklace, which he has been secretly trying to obtain through devious means, but the rubies are stolen. Ames is accused of the theft, but the culprit finally confesses, and Rosa is reunited with Ames and her rubies.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Wealthy but bored Phyllis Blake and several of her like-minded friends come up with a plan to relieve their boredom--they start a business called "The Adventure Shop", which will provide its customers with thrills and excitement. Their first customer is wealthy pickle manufacturer Josephus Potts, who wants to cure his son Josephus Jr. of his addiction to thrill-seeking. Phyllis takes Junior to a gambling den and then a meeting of an anarchist organization. These have no effect on him, so they take it to the next step--introducing Junior to the city's dark underworld, with its killers, blackmailers, and other criminal types. The real adventure comes when she and Junior are kidnapped and held for $50,000 ransom--an activity that was not on the itinerary.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of How Women Love perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Ruth Hamilton, from a wealthy aristocratic family, cares little for society or its conventions and refuses the proposal of William Barton, a socialite of her parents' choice. While giving some poor children an outing on a beach, Ruth meets John Martin (Miles?), a young nouveau riche with no social standing who is snubbed by the aristocratic circles, and begins to visit him secretly. When Ruth visits John to show off a new costume, her father arrives to seek his financial aid. Ruth escapes, but she is observed by Barton, who informs her father. Hamilton insists that Martin marry his daughter, but Ruth refuses to be compromised by her father. Later, however, she consents to marry John, discovering that he really loves her.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

A model by day and a short-story writer by night, Erminie Foster is insulted when novelist Ernest Sanford visits her display room to study her as a "flapper" type. Later, Erminie attends a reception uninvited to gather atmosphere for a story. Sanford saves her from being thrown out by saying that she is his cousin. When her prudish aunt forbids her entrance at 3AM, Sanford offers her lodgings under the protection of his housekeeper and soon persuades her to stay for inspiration. He writes a satire on women that is turned down, while hers on men sells. After Erminie overhears Monte Ralston, who loves Sanford's fiancée Helen Reeves, threaten Sanford with Helen's incriminating letters, Erminie sacrifices her reputation to retrieve the letters. When the engagement is broken and Helen and Monte explain Erminie's behavior to Sanford, he loses his smugly superior attitude and confesses he loves Erminie.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Adventure Shop perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Vi Playfair confesses to her twin sister Tiny that she is planning secretly to meet Lent Trevett, who loves her, to say goodbye, on the eve of her wedding. Tiny, who herself loves Lent, meets him instead and passionately kisses him, leaving Lent, who thinks that Tiny is Vi, to assume that Vi loves him. The next day, after the marriage ceremony, Lent convinces the flighty Vi that her husband Joe is a bully and that she should leave with him. Tiny sees them embrace, and to teach Vi a lesson, she impersonates her sister and goes with Joe on their honeymoon. Vi, now jealous, follows, and in turn is followed by Lent. At the honeymoon cottage, Vi proves to Joe, by a mole on her leg, that she is his wife, and promises Tiny that she will give up flirting. After Tiny convinces Lent that it was she that he kissed, the couples are happily reunited.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Margherita, an Italian girl, comes to America to avenge the murder of her fiancé by the mysterious Cardi.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Without Fear perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Young Nell loses her job and home and her father is sent to prison. She joins the Salvation Army and tries to redeem him when he comes out bent on continuing his life of crime.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Felicia Day is brought up in seclusion by her affectionate but narrow-minded grandfather, Major Trenton. One day, Dudley Hamilt, a choirboy, throws his ball across the fence which separates the rectory from the Trenton yard and meets Felicia, from whom he steals a kiss. Trenton sees the children smooching and, shocked, sends Felicia to Canada. Years pass and Felicia, now an adult, decides to go to New York and make her living as a seamstress. She still yearns for Dudley but decides against seeing him because of her old-fashioned wardrobe. Possessing a natural talent for dancing, Felicia is offered a job by lecherous theatrical manager Allen Graemer, and she accepts. Dudley, attending one of her performances, recognizes his long-lost love and follows her home where he rescues her from Graemer's advances and admits his enduring love for the girl from whom he stole a kiss.