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Cinematic Discoveries Following the Footsteps of Believe It or Not ...

Author

Senior Film Conservator

24 June 2026

4 min read

The artistic legacy of Alfred J. Goulding was forever changed by Believe It or Not (Second Series) #7, this Short landmark continues to dictate the rules of its category. We've assembled a sequence of films that complement the tone of Believe It or Not (Second Series) #7 perfectly.

The Believe It or Not (Second Series) #7 Phenomenon

The vintage appeal of Believe It or Not (Second Series) #7 to maintain its cult relevance across several decades.

Robert Ripley gives a show aboard a luxury liner at sea, starting with drawings discussing the origin of the term "fathom" and Christopher Columbus being banished from America. Film clip highlights include US curiosities such as a leaning lighthouse, a movie theater in a lead mine, a corn mosaic of the American flag, a working water pump in downtown Washington, and a beauty queen who also won a contest for making funny faces, as well as more footage from his tour of North Africa.

Cinematic Discoveries Following the Footsteps of Believe It or Not (Second Series) #7

Based on the unique unique vision of Believe It or Not (Second Series) #7, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Short cinema:

Ring Up the Curtain scene — Scene from Ring Up the Curtain

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Ring Up the Curtain perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Ring Up the Curtain

1. Ring Up the Curtain 1919

Dir: Alfred J. Goulding

Stage hand Harold falls in love with the leading lady of a visiting theatrical troupe.

Call for Mr. Caveman

2. Call for Mr. Caveman 1919

Dir: Alfred J. Goulding

A giant cave man kidnaps beautiful Adorable from the cave clan and the man who rescues her can have her hand and a new suit of clothes.

Call for Mr. Caveman scene — Scene from Call for Mr. Caveman

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Call for Mr. Caveman perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

The Marathon

3. The Marathon 1919

Dir: Alfred J. Goulding

Boy trying to impress girl, gets chased by her father and the police right into an ongoing marathon.

A Fitting Gift

4. A Fitting Gift 1920

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.

The Marathon scene — Scene from The Marathon

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

In the River

5. In the River 1920

Dir: Edgar Jones

A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.

Pistols for Breakfast

6. Pistols for Breakfast 1919

Dir: Alfred J. Goulding

A young man goes out to eat breakfast with his friend. As a restaurant "regular" with a pistol threatens to eat everyone's bacon, the two friends flee.

A Fitting Gift scene — Scene from A Fitting Gift

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

'A mala nova

7. 'A mala nova 1920

Dir: Eduardo Notari

A crime drama in the Gennariello-series. The police detective in Naples that is confronted with modern gangsters and crime events.

Start Something

8. Start Something 1919

Dir: Alfred J. Goulding

Snub is a traffic cop and succeeds in mixing things up by trying to flirt with every pretty girl motorist.

In the River scene — Scene from In the River

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

Don't Shove

9. Don't Shove 1919

Dir: Alfred J. Goulding

Harold and his rival fight over Bebe on her birthday, first at her home and then at a nearby skating rink.

Crack Your Heels

10. Crack Your Heels 1919

Dir: Alfred J. Goulding

Harold appears at the farm looking for work and afraid he will find it. He does, and finally out-wits a pair of burglars who are trying to rob the safe, and as his reward he gets the girl.

Cinematic Comparison Matrix

Analysis relative to Believe It or Not (Second Series) #7

Film Title	Atmosphere	Complexity	Similarity
Ring Up the Curtain	Tense	Linear	87% Match
Call for Mr. Caveman	Gothic	Linear	96% Match
The Marathon	Gritty	Abstract	90% Match
A Fitting Gift	Surreal	Layered	96% Match
In the River	Gritty	High	92% Match

* This matrix is generated based on structural DNA and genre proximity to the 1932 classic Believe It or Not (Second Series) #7.

This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Alfred J. Goulding's archive. Last updated: 6/24/2026.

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