Recommendations
Archivist John
Senior Editor

The artistic legacy of J.A. Howe was forever changed by Behind the Counter, the thematic layers of this 1928 classic invite a wider exploration of the genre. This list serves as a bridge to other Short experiences that are just as potent.
The vintage appeal of Behind the Counter to reinvent the tropes of Short cinema for a global audience.
Based on the unique unique vision of Behind the Counter, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Short cinema:
Dir: Unknown Director
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: J.A. Howe
At the Come On Inn, Jimmy, the waiter, is sweet on Mlle. Twinkletoes. The manager interferes, and Jimmy leads him to believe that it was all part of the act, his loving Mlle. Twinkletoes. I.M. Ruff, warden of the jail, arrives with two of the Ruff family - and Jimmy is assigned to attend him. Through much carelessness and vengeance, Jimmy is finally forced to apologize to the warden. While he is doing so, the Count De Razzbury, picks the warden's pocket book from his pocket, and then, fearing detection, slips it into Jimmy's pocket. Jimmy is arrested - his explanations scoffed at. He is taken to prison. Mr. Ruff and his wife plan a reception, and Mlle. Twinkletoes is hired for the occasion. Count De Razzbury, the guest of honor, accepts the invitation, much to Miss Ruff's steady company's jealousy. While the warden is taking his morning exercise with the convicts, Jimmy manages by a ruse to escape, meets "the steady company" who invites him to take the place of the distinguished guest, and Jimmy does so. Upon being presented to Mr. Ruff, Jimmy receives reminders of the Hoosegow, and the warden suspects but is not sure, and later, when Jimmy's disguise ''slips" he recognizes his naked face. Mlle. Twinkletoes confesses to Jimmy's innocence - and Ruff believing, promises a $1000 could he but right the wrong. Jimmy , although badly beaten after his encounter with Ruff, comes to, and grabs the money before Buff can take back is offer.
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Dir: J.A. Howe
A farce in which newlyweds create most of the fun.
Dir: J.A. Howe
A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.
Dir: J.A. Howe
At a Red Cross entertainment where pretty girls' kisses are sold to the highest bidder, one of the young women whose kisses are being sold becomes unbalanced, and forgetting that she is already married, promises her hand to two rival suitors, each of whom is to meet her at the depot with a minister. In the mix-up, the number of ministers invited to perform the ceremony increases, and in their eagerness to be in at the finish they take to bicycles in pursuit as the two lovers try to elude each other. Finally the husband of the young woman appears on the scene and puts an end to his wife's flirtations.
Analysis relative to Behind the Counter
| Film Title | Atmosphere | Complexity | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wounded Hearts and Wedding Rings | Ethereal | Dense | 87% Match |
| A Fitting Gift | Surreal | Layered | 96% Match |
| Jazz and Jailbirds | Surreal | Abstract | 98% Match |
| Jumbles and Jokers | Ethereal | Linear | 89% Match |
| Telephones and Troubles | Gritty | Abstract | 96% Match |
This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of J.A. Howe's archive. Last updated: 5/13/2026.
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