Cinematic Discoveries Resonating with the Themes of Better Times: C...

Dir: King Vidor

Following her marriage to wealthy lawyer Rodney Aldrich, Rose Stanton realizes that he is uninterested in her intellect. She takes up law studies to help him in his work, and when he scoffs at the idea, she leaves him, determined to prove herself an equally-intelligent marriage partner. In New York, Rose becomes a chorus girl, then seizes the opportunity to design costumes for Broadway shows. Soon she opens a salon and is very successful, but realizes that whatever a man's interest in a woman's work, his deepest concern will be with her as a woman. As she is about to sign a Broadway contract, Rodney confesses his admiration and respect for her, and she agrees to return to the career of wife and mother.

Dir: King Vidor

The sky pilot is a preacher who helps Gwen walk again after a near-fatal accident.

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

Dir: King Vidor

John and Tilly's happy marriage is ruined when Tilly's father finds out about the scandalous past of John's mother. John, unaware of his father-in-law's meddling, thinks Tilly has left him, and he leaves town. Her father leads Tilly to believe that John has died in an accident, and he pushes her to marry someone else.

Dir: King Vidor

Three elderly bachelors adopt a girl who's the daughter of the woman they were in love with in their youth.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Love Never Dies perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: King Vidor

An aristocrat who was raised in Spain returns to the United States and falls in love with a plumber.

Dir: King Vidor

Gritzko (John Gilbert) is a Russian nobleman, and Tamara (Aileen Pringle) is the object of his desire. After a series of misunderstandings and much drama, they fall in love.

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

Dir: King Vidor

A young Irish lass subsisting in a shanty is forced to spend three years in England training to be a proper lady in order to collect her inheritance.

Dir: King Vidor

A young woman's split personality creates a complicated life.

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

Dir: King Vidor

Gifted but neurotic novelist Jeffrey Dwyer is attracted to young, innocent Joan Converse, but neglects her when he meets sultry Inez Martin. After a short, passionate affair, Inez discards Jeffrey in favor of Harry Todd, whom she marries; Jeffrey turns to drink and debauchery and no longer writes. When he realizes the waste and futility of his life, he marries Joan, rents a lodge in the mountains, and writes a second successful novel. He and Joan are happy until Inez, whose marriage has failed, decides that she wants to resume her relationship with him. She rents a lodge near his, and after a sharp conflict between the idealistic and the sensual in his nature, Jeffrey leaves a letter for Joan, telling her that he is deserting her, and goes to Inez. Quickly realizing, however, that his infatuation with Inez is over, he returns to Joan, who forgives him and gladly welcomes him home again.

Dir: King Vidor

Paul Perry, the son of Perryville's wealthiest citizen, marries Reverend Matthew Barker's younger daughter Evelyn, while her sister June, who disputes her father's sermons preaching that it is God's will that sends affliction, hides her own love for Paul. When Evelyn dies in childbirth, Paul nearly goes insane. His questions to Reverend Barker about God's role in Evelyn's death shake Barker's faith. Barker's new sermons, focusing on God's love, arouse his wealthy congregation to dismiss him. Meanwhile, Paul searches for God's truth but becomes a derelict in Chicago. June takes Paul's child Bob to Chicago, but returns after being fired for refusing her employer's advances. Paul's father Hamilton, who denies wage increases at his iron works, is about to be shot by his employees, when Bob, now six, visits with his six puppies. His lovable nature subdues the workers, and Hamilton, also softened, complies with their requests. After Paul returns and learns that Bob, whose philosophy of love has touched him, is his own son, his happiness returns.