The Definitive Watchlist Seeking the Same Brilliance as Black Friday: Cult Guide

Dir: [object Object]

Hazel Rogers, a young girl eighteen years old and heiress in her own right to millions through the death of her father, falls in love with Hamilton Powers, the District Attorney. Powers is cold, calculating, indifferent, wrapped up in his law; attentive to Hazel, but in love with Christine, a trained nurse and a school friend of Hazel's and she, too loves Powers. Hazel's mother, Mrs. Albert Rogers, lives with Hazel. Dr. Joel Samson, the famous surgeon, forty-two years old, warm-hearted, upright, respected, loves Hazel, who is his ward. He is guardian of her millions until her twenty-first birthday, and in the event of her death, previous to her twenty-first birthday, sole heir to her estate. Hazel eventually marries Powers, very much against the wish of Dr. Samson, with the usual result. Powers failing in his request to Dr. Samson to obtain the management of Hazel's money, becomes morbid, indifferent, cold to Hazel and after a few months of married life he leaves her in her magnificent home on Long Island and goes to New York City to better practice his law. Mrs. Preston and Morgan Keith, two hangers-on, are at this time visiting Hazel in her home. One day Powers comes down from town and sees Hazel have a scene. Hazel, desperate, goes out alone for a spin in her auto. Driving too fast, she meets with an accident and is thrown violently out. Her back is fractured. She is brought home a helpless, hopeless invalid. Her suffering is intense. Dr. Neighbor attends Hazel. Christine nurses her. One night in her agony she begs Dr. Neighbor to put her out of her misery. Christine, heartbroken, and almost distracted with love and agony for her suffering friend, administers an overdose of morphine. Hazel never awakens. Dr. Neighbor finds the hypo needle which Christine has left on the table. He puts it in his pocket. He knows. Powers' dislike of Dr. Neighbor causes him to investigate, and the doctor is accused. Dr. Neighbor keeps silent. At the trial Christine confesses all and Dr. Neighbor is freed. Dr. Neighbor later gives his life for a patient.

Dir: [object Object]

Jack Frobisher, a sheep farmer in Queensland, has returned to England a millionaire, bought his way into the inner circle of Vanity Fair, married the daughter of a marquis, and settled in Mayfair, with a country house outside, a shooting box in Scotland, and a yacht on the "Solent." Having accepted the patronage of a titled family, he is forced to lend money to his father-in-law, and having fallen in love with a society woman, he becomes a witness of the vacuous amusements of the smart set. He settles her score when she is a very heavy loser at bridge and watches her flirtations with fashionable idlers in general and with a contemptible rake, Harry Dallas, in particular. The return of Hanky Bannister, one of his Australian pals, and a millionaire like himself, opens the way for a patrician intrigue for the enrichment of the marquis' family by the marriage of Lady Lucy Derenham. Frobisher is unable to interest Eva, his wife, or her relations in his schemes for making a good use of his money in the erection of sanitary dwellings in the East End, and he is disgusted with the tendencies of fashionable life and anxious to keep his friend, Bannister, out of a marriage similar to his own. A sympathetic friend Lady Westerby, tells him that she is disappointed in finding him so tame a bear, and assures him that he has only to shout and the walls of Jericho will fall flat. At the marquis' house during a ball, and a game of bridge in Lady Alethea Frobisher's boudoir, during which one of her titled players cheats, wins a lot of money and suddenly discovers that he has an engagement and must go. The most serious flirtation of the smart wife ends in a declaration of love by Harry Dallas, which is interrupted by the gloomy, serious husband. The trumpets of rams' horns are blown, and the Australian shouts before the Jericho of smartness. The battle opens when Frobisher insists upon helping the titled brother-in-law to marry a girl whose honor his been compromised and to make a fresh start in the colonies. The Marquis is angry over the Australian interference with family coat of honor, and Lady Alethea attempts to reduce the rebel to submission by sarcastic flings at his tiresome virtue. The trumpets sound again when Frobisher attempts to prevent a marriage between his sister-in-law and the infatuated Bannister by telling him how heartless and mercenary she is, and there is another blast when the rake, Harry Dallas, is compelled to read to the indignant husband a love letter written to the wife. The Walls of Jericho are rent asunder and thrown down when Frobisher announces that he will sell his property in England and go back to Queensland with his wife and child. The welkin rings when this social Joshua guarding the ark of the covenant of manhood shouts in trumpet tones, "I have enough of these companions of yours, these wretched sexless women who do nothing but flirt and gamble. I've had enough of their brainless, indecent talk, where everything good is turned into ridicule and each word has a double meaning. I've had enough of this existence of ours, in town and country, where all the men make love to their neighbors' wives. I'm done with it. done with it all." Furious as is the onslaught, Lady Alethea offers stubborn resistance and refuses to surrender. Later, with the mediation of Lady Westerby, before a reconciliation can be effected and Frobisher enabled to carry her off to Queensland. By that time the Walls of Jericho are indeed fallen flat.

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

Dir: [object Object]

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."

Dir: [object Object]

After Enid and Jack Radnor, vacationing in the Virginia mountains, have a bitter quarrel, Enid meets Polly Mason and Martin Hale, who invite her to their cabin. There she discovers that something mysterious is happening in the mountains. When a train robbery occurs, the sheriff, believing that Martin is a member of the outlaw gang, demands his surrender. After many misadventures, Martin finally proves his innocence. Then Enid mysteriously disappears and is found unconscious at the edge of a cliff. Enid's mother comes to resolve her problems and recognizes Polly's father as an old sweetheart who quarreled with her many years before. Finally, Enid and Jack, after observing so many romantic separations, realize their deep love and are reconciled.

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

Dir: [object Object]

Charley Raymond, college athlete, is disowned by his father, has his clothes stolen by a hobo, assumes latter's garments and the nickname of "Chuck" and is thrown off a freight train. He meets and loves Mary Bowser, ranch-man's daughter and wins a race against a fast horse. Mary is kidnapped by a jealous suitor. Charley pursues on foot and rescues her. Later, he returns home, breaks the world sprinting record in the Olympic Games and wins Mary.

Dir: [object Object]

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.

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

Dir: [object Object]

James Fordham returns home after a 6 months' absence to find that his wife has left him for another man. She returns, asking for forgiveness, but dies shortly thereafter. James swears to avenge her death and sets out to find the man who has wronged her. After changing his name, he discovers that the young girl with whom he is falling in love is engaged to the low fellow who stole his wife. He wins out by proving her fiancé is involved in a crooked business deal.

Dir: [object Object]

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 Nine and Three-Fifths Seconds perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: [object Object]

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: [object Object]

Bessie Gale, known in New York night life as "the unattainable," is pursued by Henry Morton, wealthy clubman. Morton follows Bessie across the continent, traveling with the theatrical company of which she is a member. In crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains the girl is particularly impressed with the scenery, and at a way station where the train stops for a few moments Bessie alights and strolls so far away from the depot she is unable to return in time to board the train when it proceeds. She finds shelter for the night at Robert Goodman's home, intending to rejoin her company when the next train comes along the following day. The receipt of a telegram discharging her for missing her train changes her plans, and Bessie settles down at the Goodman home for a stay of indefinite duration. Robert Goodman's mother takes a great fancy to Bessie and Robert falls in love with her. Finally they are married, but the longing for her old life is never quite stifled within her and Bessie rejoices when she is sent to New York by her husband to negotiate the sale of his formula for preventing disease among sheep that is just then devastating the flocks throughout the country. Bessie collects an immense check and contracts for royalties that make Robert a millionaire, and is about to start home when she accidentally meets some of her former associates. The call of the stage is renewed with resistless vigor when Bessie is offered an engagement by her former manager. Morton hears of her presence in town and renews his efforts to attain "the unattainable." Bessie writes to her husband that she is going back to the stage. Robert senses trouble for her and comes to New York without notifying her. He finds her dining with Morton under conditions any husband would resent, and when Morton is unable to defend himself from the physical retribution Robert rains upon him Morton shoots the husband in the coward's target, his back. The tragedy restores Bessie to a realization of her perfidy and folly; Morton acquires a streak of unheard of manliness and when Robert is taken to the hospital the clubman offers his blood for transfusion to Robert's veins that the life of his victim may be saved. The blood test reveals that Morton's blood would poison the stricken Robert and then Bessie is accepted as a volunteer to give her blood to save her husband's life, an operation that is entirely successful.