The Cult Collection Inspired by the Vision of Be Careful, Mr. Smith...

Dir: Max Mack

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Hal Roach

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of His Royal Slyness perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

An American book salesman (Lloyd) is persuaded to go to the kingdom of Thermosa to impersonate the Prince. He is greeted by a peasants' revolt before the real prince shows up to claim his throne and princess. The revolution succeeds, and the American is elected president of the new republic.

Dir: Maurice Campbell

Carver Endicott, a young sophisticate, is rejected by his fiancée for being too foppish and dull. When she feigns an interest in his father, Carver attempts to disgrace his family name by working as a farmhand and later as a busboy in a hotel. However, the newspapers only praise him for his self-sacrificing principles; and finding that he cannot bring shame to the family through menial labor, he takes up with a notorious actress. But when this maneuver also fails, he returns to his former fiancée, who has no further complaint about his being an inexperienced dullard.

Dir: Reggie Morris

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of An Amateur Devil perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Max Mack

A psychological escapade when romance overwhelms.

Dir: Max Mack

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Max Mack

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Henry Edwards

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

A millionaire bets £25,000 that he can earn his own living for six months.

Dir: Max Mack

Three charming sisters vow to one another eternal adherence to the blessing. of single life. Augusta, ring-leader of the three, is particularly violent toward the sterner sex. She looks for a position, obtains several, but resigns them because of the unwelcome attentions forced upon her by various men. Meantime her sister Ethel gives music lessons in their apartment, while Clara, the third sister, a medical student, secures a position as assistant to young Doctor Squibb. In the same apartment house with the sisters lives a girl who is receiving attentions from Carl Waldeck, a young attorney. Her father has forbidden the young man to call upon her. Carl calls upon her one day and barely manages to escape the angry father. He seeks refuge in the apartment of the three sisters and entreats them to permit him to stay there to avoid his pursuer. To get rid of him they make a bridge of their ironing-board. On this he escapes through a window into another flat. The morning after Augusta receives her answer to a position in an office of two attorneys. She makes such a good impression upon Mr. Speck, one of the attorneys, that she secures a position. Here she undergoes the same annoyances that she has received before, which only ends when she knocks the office manager down. This causes him the loss of his position. She is now promoted to his position and requests that her former position be given to her sister, Ethel. Mr. Speck consents. Ethel makes a hit with the office clerk. Clarence Hallroom, a confirmed bachelor. He and Ethel make eyes at one another and are intercepted by Augusta, who asserts her authority and puts a stop to the lovemaking. One day Carl returns from his vacation to his work, and is recognized as the ironing-board tourist. The beauty of Augusta has made a profound impression on him but in seeking to obtain from her a corresponding feeling he receives a rebuff. He decides to teach her a lesson. He arouses her jealousy by a flirtation with Ethel. Augusta resigns her position and leaves and compels poor Ethel to leave with her. Clarence cannot forget her and seeks an excuse to call upon her. Freed from the grim censorship of Augusta, they shortly come to an understanding. A little later Augusta, now returning to her home, receives a call from Waldeck. As she will not admit him by the door, he enters the apartment through the window by means of the ironing-board. His eloquence sweeps away the last vestiges of her old-time man-hate, and she also becomes engaged. That very same day the charming Clara joins the ranks of the brides-to-be becoming engaged to Dr. Squibb.

Dir: Max Mack

This production tells the story of the famous detective, Coletti, of Berlin. Coletti has taken charge of a bank robbery case, and the editor of the Continental Daily Mail publishes an article in which he chides the detective for mismanagement of the case. As it was known the criminal remained in Berlin for forty-eight hours after the robbery; the article claimed that had Coletti published and distributed inscription of the criminal someone of the millions of inhabitants of Berlin would have captured him. In an open letter to the editor of the paper, Coletti states it is almost impossible to unearth a man hidden away in as large a city as Berlin, and to back up his statement, offers a reward of $25,000 to any person who can capture him within forty-eight hours after a full description of himself, and his photograph, have been printed in every newspaper, and posted all around the city. The challenge is accepted. All the inhabitants of Berlin, except Anton, the barber, and Lolette, Coletti's fiancée, are seeking the detective. Anton disguises as the detective, and Coletti assumes the rough clothes of a street sweeper. Freely mingling with the crowd, Coletti keeps his eyes open for Anton, whom he presently sees boarding a bus. Then a wild mob pursues Anton, but the athletic barber makes his escape by jumping from the fast going vehicle. After running a short distance he sees a Zeppelin airship about to sail away. In a mad jump he succeeds in boarding the airship, which has a good many passengers on board. Taking a seat, Anton calls for a drink, and is very much astonished to find that the waiter who serves him is Coletti himself. Finally a stout lady passenger observes Anton, and feeling confident she has captured Coletti, keeps a firm hold on the collar of Anton's coat. When the airship descends she marches poor Anton off to the editor's office to claim the $25,000. While the mob that has followed the fair stout lady are cheering her to the top of their lungs, Anton calmly removes his disguise, and distributes his business cards, and then they realize they have been tricked. In the meantime, Coletti has constantly mingled with the masses in various disguises. Then a celebrated police dog is put on the trail of Coletti. While Coletti and his sweetheart are enjoying themselves at a nearby café the crowd follows the police dog. The dog is on the scent, tugging at the leash with all his might he makes for the café. As they enter the café Lolette begins to dance, while Coletti goes into an adjoining room and changes back to his own clothing. Time has been flying fast; the mob has been watching in admiration the dancing of Lolette, then the inner door opens and a wild dash is made at the man who enters, Coletti himself, who calmly raising his hand, says, "Yes, you have caught me, but you are five minutes too late."