The Cult Collection Inspired by the Vision of Behind the Lines: Cul...

Dir: Henry MacRae

Heads of rival lumber camps meet in a fight. Louis Lenoir, a renegade French Canadian, causes the death of "Big" MacDonald, a hard-fighting Scotsman whose life is guided by his dogmatic religious beliefs. His son, Ranald, is left to settle the blood feud. In spite of the pleas of his sweetheart, the daughter of a minister, he participates in a gang fight on the logs in mid-river just as a log drive to Ottawa begins. Attempting to stop the fight, the girl becomes involved, falls into danger, and is carried toward a whirlpool; but MacDonald, having abandoned his attack on Lenoir, rescues her. At the finish Lenoir, grateful because his life has been spared, experiences a reformation.

Dir: Henry MacRae

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

A soldier returns home from World War I with a beautiful black horse that he saved on the battlefield, and names Thunderhoof. He enters the horse in a local race, hoping to earn enough money to save the family ranch of the girl he loves. However, the crooks intent on taking the ranch manage to capture a notorious wild horse and enter it in the same race, believing that it can beat Thunderhoof and thereby ensure that they're able to take the ranch.

Dir: Henry MacRae

A young woman named Suwanna is the object of affection for many men. In her search for true love, she has many adventures and mishaps, including overcoming her father's disapproval, before finally finding her soul-mate. Miss Suwanna of Siam, or Nang Sao Suwan, was one of first feature films to be made in Thailand, and was the first Hollywood co-production in Thailand.

Dir: Henry MacRae

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Miss Suwanna of Siam perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Bank president, George Fuller, uses his own fortune to cover the losses, when the bank is on the verge of collapse. Unknown to Fuller, however, Monroe Simmons, his vice-president, is undermining the bank for his own purposes. Then Tom Williams, who is in love with Fuller's daughter Ethel, asks his uncle, famous detective "Whispering Smith," to investigate the case. Smith successfully uncovers Simmons' conspiracy and apprehends him and his fellow conspirators, thus saving the bank.

Dir: Henry MacRae

While their father, Michael Kalmar, remains in a Siberian prison, political refugees Ivan and Irma Kalmar seek freedom in Winnipeg, Canada. However, they continue to encounter persecution at the hands of prejudiced neighbors, and from their father's enemy, Makaroff. Ivan's violin playing attracts the interest of Marjorie Menzies, but also the enmity of District Attorney Mortimer Staunton, a rival for her affection. During a party at Makaroff's home, Irma is insulted, and when her abuser is slain, Ivan is arrested. Michael, who has arrived in Winnipeg after escaping from prison, confesses to the murder. Ivan becomes a foreman in a coal mine, which Makaroff hopes to acquire illegally. After his plan fails, Makaroff attempts to blow up the mine along with its employees, but kills himself instead. Michael is freed by a family servant who admits to the murder, and Ivan becomes engaged to Marjorie.

Dir: Henry MacRae

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Henry MacRae

Tom Findlay and Bob Kerr are both in love with Margaret Baird. She favors Tom but Bob's social position and initiative almost exclude Tom. Bob's father is trying to pass a bill in the legislature that is detrimental to the farmers' interests, and Margaret's father, also a political power, opposes it. Bob's father frames Mr. Baird so that his necessary vote will be lost, but Tom and Margaret save the day. Tom of course earns first place in Margaret's affections.

Dir: Henry MacRae

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

A set of eight golden lotus leaves holds the secret for eternal life. A young girl is tricked out of the one she holds, and enlists the aid of an adventurer is tracking down the entire set.

Dir: Henry MacRae

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Henry MacRae

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.