Must-Watch List Comparable to the Style of Anything Once!: Cult Guide

Dir: F. Richard Jones

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Unknown Director

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

The Judge needs a present for his wife's birthday, so Harry suggests a new corset. They go to the shop, but he's so embarrassed to ask the saleslady he hides in a phone booth.Harry goes in, but finds a GUY wearing one, and runs out.They both dress as women to get back in, but Mrs. Rummy gets there and chases him out.

Dir: F. Richard Jones

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: F. Richard Jones

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Reilly's Wash Day perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

This short was a promo piece for Mack Sennett's Yankee Doodle in Berlin (1919), with many of the same characters in addition to the Mack Sennett Bathing Beauties.

Dir: Lloyd Ingraham

While walking along the street one day, Arthur P. Hampton, an impoverished young doctor, and his chums, Stub Masters and Johnny Stokes, are persuaded to part with their last remaining funds by tag day solicitor Mary Jane Smith, with whom the doctor promptly falls in love. Doc's friends then hit upon a get-rich-quick scheme. Knowing that his Uncle George has promised a large sum of money upon his nephew's marriage, they persuade Doc to send out fake wedding invitations naming Mary Jane as the blushing bride. Uncle George, elated at the good news, writes to Mary Jane's aunt, Angelica Burns, an old sweetheart, to invite Mary Jane and Angelica to be his guests on an ocean voyage. Meanwhile, Mary Jane pays a visit to the doctor's office and, upon seeing the wedding invitations, becomes so flustered that she trips and sprains her ankle. Doc comes to her rescue and then begs her to pose as his wife. She agrees, but at ship-side, Stub and Johnnie confess all to Uncle George, who flies into a rage until Doc announces that he and Mary Jane have chosen a wedding at sea.

Dir: F. Richard Jones

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Why Beaches Are Popular perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Mickey, an orphan who has been brought up in a mining settlement, is sent to New York to live with her aunt.

Dir: F. Richard Jones

A foolish husband attempts to make a date with a fair and frivolous charmer whose card has come into his possession, and is arranging all the details while his wife stands listening. He tries to explain that it is a business matter, but is forced to go to the bathroom to think it over. While thus engaged he has a horrible dream of his adventures with the frivolous lady who puts him through the exciting adventures of a badger game. That he finally escapes and wakes to find himself safe at home determines him that it shall be his last false step.

Dir: Charley Chase

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Mary's Ankle perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

A young married couple volunteer to take charge of several orphans after the asylum has burned down. Of course they find their hands full with their troublesome charges.

Dir: F. Richard Jones

A crusade against women wearing clothes which are more abbreviated than the law allows results in policemen and jurists being captivated by their captives.

Dir: Reggie Morris

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.