The Cult Collection Comparable to the Style of Across the Continent...

Dir: Raoul Walsh

Dave Henderson, an orphan who has become the beneficiary of a rich man's will, falls in with race-track crooks Martin Tydeman and Bokky Sharvan who bilk him out of his $100,000 inheritance. In retaliation, Dave steals the money from Tydeman's safe, but is caught and sentenced to five years in jail. In prison, Dave becomes friendly with Millman, who is about to be released, and reveals the money's hiding place to him, arranging to rendezvous at the end of Dave's term. Once released, Dave is hounded by members of Tydeman's gang as well as the police, who are waiting for him to retrieve his bounty. While taking refuge at the house of Capriano, an old bomb maker, Dave falls in love with the old man's daughter Teresa. However, Capriano sets a trap for Dave, who awakens in a drugged state to find the $100,000 missing. With the help of Millman and Teresa, Dave recovers the money, turns it over to the police and resolves to go straight.

Dir: Alexander Korda

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of A 111-es perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: George B. Seitz

The adventures of a gentlemanly crook of astonishing resourcefulness.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

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

When saloon owner Bill Lark detects that gambler Jim Pemberton is cheating, both men draw their guns. In order to prevent a double killing, it is agreed that the first shot should be decided by a draw from a deck of cards. Bill loses and Pemberton gives him three days to live. Meanwhile, Pemberton has persuaded Jess Jones to leave her husband and ride with him to his cabin in the hills where he is chief of a gang of bandits. Upon discovering his wife's absence, Scipio Jones follows Jess but is driven away by Pemberton's gang. After Jones fails, Bill retrieves Jess and brings her home. The next day, Bill is severely wounded when he drives a stagecoach through an attack by Pemberton's gang, but escapes to keep his date with the outlaw. Arriving to accept his fate of the last draw, Bill discovers that the outlaw has been killed by Scipio Jones. Provided with a new lease on life, the honest saloon keeper marries his sweetheart Little Casino.

Dir: Rolf Brunner

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: George Beranger

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Twins of Suffering Creek perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

John Fenton visits a fortune-teller to gain insight into his parentage. While there, a police raid occurs, and he climbs the fire escape to the apartment above. There he finds a girl standing over the body of a young man who has just shot himself. The girl, Belle Charmion, explains that her half brother, Gordon Brewster, had stolen some jewels from their uncle and, fearing that the police would capture him, had attempted suicide. Fenton conceals the brother in another room and impersonates him when the police arrive. Later, he and Belle take Brewster to his uncle's home. In the excitement, the jewels have been forgotten, and Fenton returns to search for them. By this time, the family butler, who is a member of an underworld gang, has tipped off his friends, who then steal the Fenton jewels. At the butler's home, a scuffle ensues; Fenton recovers the jewels and learns that he is actually a distant relative of the Charmions, having been kidnapped in infancy by a crook. With both mysteries thus resolved, Belle and Fenton become engaged.

Dir: Walter West

A Lord's horse wins the big race despite the schemes of a rival.

Dir: Phil Rosen

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

Tomboy socialite Theodora Hayden, known to friends as "Teddy," is an amateur aviatrix and racing car enthusiast. Relishing her freedom, Teddy spurns lawyer Gerry Rhinelander West, her childhood sweetheart, and runs away to Greenwich Village. There she meets model Ruby Joyce and Ruby's lover, boxer "Gunboat" Dorgan. She becomes the student of portraitist Raoul Uhlan, who tries to make love to her. Infuriated by the artist's audacity, Teddy has him beaten by Gunboat, who misinterprets her gratitude. Gunboat kisses Teddy, who repulses him, then borrows her car and strikes another auto. After tracing the car to its owner through the license plate number, the driver of the injured vehicle sues Teddy. Raoul then sues Teddy for injuries inflicted by Gunboat; and Ruby sues her for alienation of Gunboat's affection. When her family refuses to help her, Teddy turns to Gerry, who settles the suits and wins her hand.

Dir: Joseph A. Golden

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Upon observing the adoration that track star Culver Covington receives, his friend, J. Wallingford Speed, decides to impress Helen Blake by also posing as a sprinter. Meanwhile, when Roberta Keap decides to retire to her Western ranch while awaiting her divorce, Speed, Helen and various friends accompany her while her husband Donald takes up residence at the neighboring Gallagher ranch. A rivalry springs up between the two ranches, and Helen persuades Speed to challenge the Keap homestead in a footrace. Matters become serious when Roberta and Mrs. Gallagher bet their entire holdings on the race. It begins to look ominous for the Keaps when their star sprinter develops a lame foot, thus placing the burden of winning on Speed. Miraculously, the intense competition of the race spurs Speed to win both his match and Helen's love, while also accomplishing the reconciliation of Donald and Roberta.