The Global Archive For Devotees of Beyond the Crossroads: Cult Guide

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

John Oakhurst is a chivalrous gambler, and his friendship for Sandy Morton forms the motif of the story. Sandy Morton was given to excessive drink, which through the connivance of the duchess, the queen--of the gambling houses--resulted in the loss of his birthright. Though his father had maintained a search for him covering a number of years, he had never been able to locate him. Circumstances so shaped themselves that Oakhurst innocently, and believing Sandy dead, took the place of the long-lost son in his father's affection and household, and these circumstances reached a climax when Sandy's true identity was revealed at the psychological moment by the duchess herself. So upright has Oakhurst been in all his dealings with the eider Morton that as he turns to leave the room, the old man calls him back and announces that henceforth the name under which he will operate his banking business will be Alex, Morton and Sons and Oakhurst. Thus do the troubles of the two men cement their years of friendship into a life-long association.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

Jane Barrett and her son, Tom, are suddenly beggared by the speculations of her husband, known on Wall Street as Plunger Barrett. At an auction sale, the Barrett yacht, real estate and household effects are sold without reserve to satisfy some of the demands of the creditors. The bankrupt plunger goes to his room, plies himself with liquor, falls out of the window and is killed. It now depends upon Tom to bear the burden of his mother's support. In a newspaper he finds an advertisement offering a position, with promises of advancement, for a young man of education. This is signed by John Pearce, an old friend of the family, who, with his daughter, Helen, has often been a guest on the yacht and in their home. Helen has been attracted by Tom's manly bearing and finds herself gradually weaning her affections away from Phil Blair, an almost accepted lover, who is associated with her father in coal mining. The transfer of her affections comes one day when, out riding with Blair, a child falls from a bridge and he has not the courage to attempt to save her life. This is effected by Tom, and, as a reward, the girl insists upon her father giving the position to Tom. Wishing to begin at the bottom, Tom passes through the different stages of mining and handling coal, and is about to be appointed Assistant Superintendent. But his hopes, as well as those of his mother and lady love, are frustrated by the jealous Blair, assisted by George Bowers, ex-partner in the firm wrecked by Barrett. Thereupon Tom's mother, after making protest to the directors without avail, appeals to the men and a meeting of the Miners' Union is called. While this is in progress, Pearce, who is still Tom's ardent champion, receives a decision of the Supreme Court, giving him a clear title to a mine at the village of Mayflower. After the meeting, the miners having decided to walk out, through sympathy for Tom, he is offered the position of superintendent at Mayflower. He accepts it and takes most of his striking friends with him. The once deserted village now takes on new life, and the mine is opened by Tom on the co-operative principle. While the mining is progressing with fine promise, a flow of oil opened on the levels takes fire, setting the mine ablaze. Then follow the harrowing scenes which it is impossible to avert even after most heroic efforts on the part of the relief train and State Constabulary. After burning for more than three weeks, the fire bums away the supporting pillars of the mine, and the fated village caves into the abyss made by the sinking earth. The villainous Blair succeeds in convincing the excited people that Tom himself has fired the mine to conceal the fact of its utter worthlessness, and they set out to lynch him. For a time the brave mother and a few friends succeed in staying the advance of the mob, but they are the stronger, and are about to destroy him when a pillar of fire arises. This proved to be an oil well of great magnitude, and, amid the promises of the rehabilitated hero, that what they have lost will be more than regained, the defeated Blair is seen slinking away, silhouetted against the dying flames of the sunken village.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Through Fire to Fortune perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

In the days of '49 some of the aristocracy of old California contrived to gather unto themselves more than their share of the precious yellow metal which abounded. There were those among the populace who resented this state of affairs. Luis Lopez was one. Smarting under the yoke of the aristocracy, Lopez determined to champion the cause of the people. Accordingly, he set about to enlist the aid of others and chose Jose Garcia for an ally. Jose finally agreed to wage a campaign against Don Ortega and Don Mendoza. Jose set out for the home of Don Ortega, whom it was agreed that he should rob. Lopez chose Don Mendoza as his prey. It was agreed between Lopez and Jose that the gold which they hoped to gain would be devoted to the uplift of the oppressed. Jose's destination lay across the desert. Stopping to slake his thirst, he was horrified to find that he had lost his canteen. He found instead a crucifix which his priest had secreted in his pack-saddle. Tearing it off, he flung it with anger into the sands and passed on. Senor Arrelanes, another aristocrat, with his daughter Carmen were traveling in the same direction, intending to visit their cousin, Don Ortega. They found the crucifix and later came upon Jose, exhausted. They bore him to the home of Don Ortega, where Carmen nursed him back to health. Lopez reached the home of the Don Mendoza and asked for lodging. In the night he crept into the living room and stole the bags of gold which his hosts had deposited in a chest. Surprised by Mendoza'a wife, Lopez set upon her. Mendoza came to the rescue and drove Lopez out. Jose had fallen a willing victim to Carmen, and vowed to himself that he would not be guilty of robbing those who had befriended him. He set forth on his return to Santa Barbara to meet Lopez. Lopez threatened that he himself would take the money. During the night Jose stole Mendoza's gold from beneath Lopez's pillow and hastened away to warn Ortega. Discovering Jose's absence, Lopez quickly gave pursuit, vowing to kill the traitorous Jose. Jose arrived in time to warn Ortega so that when Lopez arrived he fell into the trap laid for him. Carmen at last prevailed upon Lopez to forsake his evil ways. And so when Carmen had yielded to the pleadings of her impetuous lover, Jose, Lopez stood nearby to share their happiness, and later returned to Santa Barbara, there to spend the remainder of his days with the gentle priests at the Mission.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

Peter Sturton, a politician and head of the machine, decides to support Walter Croydon, a rising young attorney, for the position of Governor of the State. Croyden is in love with Beatrice Farley, a young society belle, but they have not been formally engaged. Croyden, on the evening that he is to take Beatrice to a society affair, meets Sturton at the club, and becomes slightly intoxicated. He is in this condition when he calls upon Beatrice, and she refuses to accompany him. The next morning Croyden comes back and apologizes for his condition of the night before, and begs Beatrice to forgive him and promise to marry him. She tells him that she is leaving for Europe and that she will give him an answer when she returns. John Nevill, a man about town is a personal friend of Sturton's. Nevill is unhappy married, but he and his wife still continue to live together. Nevill decides to go abroad. As the boat is ready to sail, Nevill sees Beatrice bid Croyden goodbye and come on board. He is attracted by her beauty, makes her acquaintance on the ship, and becomes infatuated with her. He begins paying her attention without telling her that he is married. Beatrice comes to Monte Carlo where Nevill is staying, and finds that she loves him in return. Nevill proposes that they go to Paris to be married, and Beatrice consents, but friends of Nevill's, who have arrived from the States, betray the fact that he is already married. Beatrice, heartbroken, begins packing to return home. Nevill pleads with her to no avail. After Beatrice leaves, Nevill takes to drink, and Mrs. Nevill persuades him to return home with her. In the meantime, Croyden has married Beatrice, and has become Governor. Sturton calls upon the Nevills and asks them to attend the inaugural ball to meet the Governor and his bride. Nevill discovers that the Governor's wife is no other than Beatrice, and he becomes crafty in an attempt to win her away from Croyden. Beatrice sees the ravages of dissipation in Nevill, and listening to his plea, promises to become his friend. They are seen much together, but Croyden is of an unsuspicious nature, and Beatrice believes that there is nothing wrong in her friendship for Nevill. Time elapses and Croyden is running for reelection. Sturton has a falling-out with the Governor and is opposing him. The Croydens now have a child, a boy a few months old. A friend goes to Croyden and tells him that the people are beginning to talk of Nevill's being seen so much with Mrs. Croyden, but the Governor refuses to believe it is more than idle gossip. To turn the people against Croyden, Sturton causes an article to be published saying that while the Governor has been away on a tour of the State to secure votes, his wife has been seen continually in the company of a certain man whom the paper does not mention. When Croyden sees this, Nevill tells him that surely he can trust his wife, and Croyden dismisses the matter from his mind. Nevill decides upon a plan to turn Croyden from his wife, believing that Beatrice will then come to him. He gives Sturton a paragraph to put in the papers on the day before election. This is the day that Croyden's baby is to be christened. As the guests are gathered for the christening and Croyden is preparing to leave his office, he sees a copy of the newspaper hinting that the child's father is not Croyden but the man who Beatrice has been seen with so much of late. Overcome, Croyden drinks heavily and returns when the christening is in progress, quite intoxicated. He breaks in upon the affair, denouncing Beatrice and forbidding her to name the child after him and accuses Nevill of being the father of the child. This Nevill refuses to deny. Locking himself in his room, Croyden refuses to see Beatrice or let her explain. Beatrice, in terror over her husband's action, and realizing that Nevill alone can clear her name, decides to make him right her. She arrives at Nevill's and is admitted to see him alone. Nevill believes that he has won and tells her that he will give her a letter clearing her name, but that she must pay the price. He writes the note and then locks the door and confronts her. In the meantime Croyden has learned where she has gone, and follows. Beatrice struggles with Nevill to preserve her honor, and finally, in desperation, catches up a sharp paper cutter and stabs him, dropping the weapon to the floor. Croyden enters, accompanied by Mrs. Nevill, and finds Nevill dying. Realizing that he is on the verge of death, the good in Nevill comes to the surface. He picks up the knife and tells them that for love of Beatrice, and because she has repulsed him he has attempted suicide. He takes the note clearing Beatrice's name from his pocket and gives it to Croyden. Croyden realizes that this will clear him in the eye of the people. He begs forgiveness of Beatrice and as she grants him this, they glance down at Nevill, who falls back dead.

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

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

Railroad tycoon Richard Strong discovers that his enemies are scheming to bankrupt him. Strong enlists the help of Charles Dalton, and together they foil the plot. By chance Dalton meets Strong's wife, Elinor.

Dir: Bruno Ziener

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

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

Dir: Alexander Butler

In Alberta, Canada, a Cornish emigrant unmasks a rustler posing as the girl's "blind" father.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

Satan has added his last touches to the mortal and feels the "Man" is ready to navigate the road of life. Satan returns to Hell, discovering the spirits have created another mortal. Satan declares this mortal a "Woman."

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

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

Westie Phillips, the son of poor and simple Quaker folk, notices a woman marooned on a rock with the tide rising. He rescues her and ever this memory of her remains with him. To Martha Gorham, the daughter of a millionaire, it is only an incident to be remembered for a short time with gratitude toward the boy. In love with Martha Gorham is Harry Arnold, a man considerably older, whose one aim in life now seems to be the winning of her, despite her refusal. Her father, Silas Gorham, is fond of Arnold and favors his suit, although he does not urge his daughter to marry. Arnold invites Martha and her father to go on a cruise with him on his yacht and she consents. Arnold has arranged with his captain to have it appear that the yacht is wrecked near an uncharted island, so he can take Martha to this spot alone and after a month or so the captain is to return and pick them up. About the same time Westie Phillips decides to go out into the world and make his way. He is shanghaied aboard a vessel bound for the Orient and meets with such severe treatment that he manages to escape in Honolulu. It so happens that the Arnold yacht is in the vicinity, and one of the men becoming troublesome, the captain decides to put him ashore. Fate again brings Westie and Martha together, for he secures the sailor's place on board the yacht. He recognizes Martha, but she does not know him. Westie scents that Martha is in danger, and it is with a great deal of satisfaction that he sees Martha repulse the advances of Arnold. Then comes the time when the yacht is in the vicinity of the island. Arnold's plans work out nicely, as he gets Martha in a boat away from her father, but Westie, though he does not know exactly what is happening, senses that there is danger for the woman he loves and insists upon accompanying Arnold. The captain fells him with a blow. Gorham and the others take to the boats and Arnold and Martha are in a boat by themselves. Westie secures a boat and rows for the island. He hears a woman's screams and again comes to Martha's rescue. Then the three take up their life as they find it on the island. Arnold becomes almost crazed when he finds his plans foiled and offers Westie any amount of money if he will but move to the other side of the island. One night Arnold tries to kill the girl, and Westie again saves her. One day Westie and Martha sight a ship and manage to attract it. Before the boat arrives Westie and Martha recognize their love for each other, and their destiny is fulfilled.

Dir: Wilfred Lucas

Brian O'Farrell (Snowy Baker), is an English 'new chum' who takes a job at an Australian cattle station. He is teased by station hands because of his appearance (including spats and a monocle) but he soon impresses them with his skills at riding and boxing. The station manager, John MacDonald (Wilfred Lucas), takes O'Farrell to Sydney to meet his daughter Edith (Kathleen Key) who is working in the slums. Edith is kidnapped by criminals after witnessing a crime but O'Farrell rescues her. It is later revealed he is the owner of the station.