The Cult Collection Comparable to the Style of A Man's Country: Cult Guide

Dir: Henry Kolker

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Henry Kolker

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

Katie Abbott, despairing of being a wallflower, is about to attempt suicide in the village pond when she is rescued by a young stranger. Following his heroic feat, the young man accepts a job in the town's automobile factory. Meanwhile, Henry Higginbotham, a clerk in the same factory, resigns when he suspects that the manager, J. W. Wiseman, is running an auto theft ring. After Wiseman announces his mayoral candidacy, Katie urges Higginbotham to oppose him. Higginbotham fails as an orator, but just as it appears that he will lose the election, the nice young man reveals himself to be an undercover newspaper reporter and exposes Wiseman's corruption. As a result, Wiseman is arrested, Higginbotham is elected mayor and Katie marries her hero.

Dir: Henry Kolker

A Duc's daughter learns her rescuer killed her brother and betrays his plan to save the queen.

Dir: Henry Kolker

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Swords and the Woman perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

While traveling through India with her Aunt Eva, Arlee Eversham meets Billy Hill, an American, and Captain Falconer, a British officer, both of whom fall in love with her. Curiosity leads Arlee to accept an invitation from the Rajah of the province to visit his palace. Aunt Eva receives a letter of invitation intended for her niece and, thinking that it is for herself, goes to the palace. Once there, both women are held prisoners, destined to become members of the Rajah's harem, until Arlee manages to send word to Billy of her predicament. Accompanied by Captain Falconer, Billy leads a successful rescue in which he saves Arlee, and the Captain discovers, much to his consternation, that he has rescued Aunt Eva.

Dir: Henry Kolker

After receiving $50 for performing a dangerous dive at a swimming fete, Mira Sacky, the daughter of a music master whose legacy to her was the potential to be a great singer, decides to pursue others ways of getting money. When she rescues a boy from drowning, wealthy Michael Ordsway, a friend of the boy's mother, tells Mira to name her reward. Remembering her father's advice not to accept money from any man to whom she does not have a just claim, Mira requests, to Michael's discomfort, that he marry her. He gives in when she calls him a welcher, and she offers to leave if he will give her $10,000. He refuses and after a misunderstanding, they separate. Michael's father, encouraging her to seek voice training, gives her the money. Three years later, Michael, searching in vain, visits his sister in Rome and discovers that Mira has become a famous singer. They confess their love and resume their marriage.

Dir: Henry Kolker

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Palace of Darkened Windows perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

At Eslick's Grand Palace Hotel in Circle City, Alaska, five Klondike derelicts hold council to decide on some means of recouping their depleted finances. Emily Dwyer, who has come north to marry Graham following news of his success, is discouraged but is saved from suicide by MacDonald, a former football star. At his suggestion, they raise the money for the premium on one insurance policy, to be taken on the life of whoever draws the ace in faro: he would commit suicide at the end of a year, and the other four would become beneficiaries. MacDonald draws the fatal card, then, discovering a gold vein in his mine claim, he abandons the insurance plan. All then find prosperity with MacDonald, who develops a love affair with Emily.

Dir: Henry Kolker

In 1905, the Lantinis and their children, Lorenzo and Francesca, emigrate to New York. Though poor, the family's situation begins to improve when Mr. Manton, a wealthy contractor, offers to provide Lorenzo with the opportunity for advancement, in gratitude for his having saved his daughter Dorothy in an accident. Fifteen years later, the Lantinis have advanced: Lorenzo is a successful architect, in love with Dorothy. At the Manton's party, Lorenzo and Francesca meet Richard Sewall, a theatrical magnate, for whom Lorenzo has designed a building. When Francesca meets with Sewall regarding some costumes, he seduces her. Lorenzo learns what has happened and goes to Sewall's office, only to find him dead, just as the police arrive. He is convicted of the crime, but his mother never doubts his innocence and seeks to prove it. By coincidence, she meets Sewall's wife, who confesses that she murdered Sewall because of his cruelty. Lorenzo is free, and the family reunited.

Dir: Henry Kolker

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Woman Michael Married perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Ruth Burns is not aware that her father is a professional gambler until she receives a notification of his death and comes to New York. She inherits his gambling palace, and Jimmy Weaver, one of his associates, instructs her in its operation. Informed of her father's debt to John Collins, she gambles to pay off the debt until one of her victims tries to commit suicide and she realizes the wrong she is doing. In a final game she loses her winnings, and Collins not only is unmasked by Jimmy as a cheater but is killed by a woman he deserted. Ruth discovers the debt to have been pure invention and decides to marry Jimmy.

Dir: Henry Kolker

The story of British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli and the purchase by England of the Suez Canal.

Dir: Henry Kolker

Annette is in love with Sheriff André Porel, but her father Gaston, promises her to Paul Gerard, after Gerard witnesses Gaston kill Indian Charlie. Despondent, Annette considers suicide, but Gerard drinks the poison by mistake. Annette is convicted of murder and is being led to her execution by André when an avalanche buries the gallows and Gaston. The villagers take this as a sign of Annette's innocence; she is released and marries André.