The Recommended Vault Deeply Connected to Bought and Paid For: Cult Guide

Dir: Harley Knoles

As a prank, college student William Lewis and some of his friends break into a house and are interrupted by a policeman who is accidentally shot. Will's friend Sid accuses Will of the shooting, but Will manages to escape and moves to a large city far away. He meets and marries Alice Hamilton, and they later have a daughter, Editha. Will has a job as a bank teller and everything is going fine--until Sid shows up one day and threatens to expose Will as the man who killed the officer unless Will helps him rob the bank. Complications ensue.

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

Madge Evans, World Film Corp. juvenile star, is sent to her Quaker grandparents, Timothy and Tabitha Mendenhall, when her father and mother go to serve in World War I. After bidding farewell to the World stars, Madge goes to her grandparent's home where she experiences stern discipline. Jonathan Mendenhall, her uncle, is anxious to enlist, but is forbidden by his father, whose religion opposes fighting. Madge creeps into the old Quaker's heart by degrees, but he maintains unrelenting discipline in the household. Jonathan comes of age, enlists despite his father's opposition, and is disowned. When Madge's latest picture comes to town, the child implores her grandfather to take her to see it, but he refuses. Timothy secretly visits the theater, however, and is completely won over by Madge's acting. A change takes place in the old Quaker's nature as he praises Madge, forgives his son and writes to Madge's mother, whom he had cast out when she married against his will, to be sure and bring her husband back safe.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Agatha, called "Miss Petticoats," is daughter of a French nobleman and an American woman, lives with her grandfather, Captain Joel Stewart, since the death of her mother years before. Knowing nothing of her royal heritage, Agatha gladly takes a job as secretary to the wealthy Sarah Copeland, whose nephew, Guy Hamilton, immediately begins pursuing the new employee. Jealous of Agatha, one of Guy's former sweethearts, Mrs. Worth Courtleigh, starts spreading rumors about her, and when Joel hears a particularly scandalous one, he dies of shock. Taking Agatha away from all the gossip, Sarah sails with her to Europe, where Agatha finally learns about her bloodline, and also discovers that she is the heiress to a fortune. Then, when she and Sarah return home, Agatha forgives all the people who believed the rumors, and marries the Reverend Ralph Harding, who was always certain of her innocence.

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

Alan Winthrop, the younger son of an English family, accepts the blame for his older brother's loss of five thousand pounds at cards, and is turned out of the house. This gives the young man the opportunity he desired, travel. In America, Ralph Cornwell, an unscrupulous young millionaire, asks Edward Strong, a bankrupt financier, for his daughter's hand in marriage, in exchange for which Cornwell will clear all of Strong's liabilities. His need for money determines Strong to influence his daughter. Edith tells Cornwell that it is to be a marriage of convenience. At the wedding supper Cornwell becomes intoxicated, and after the guests have departed Edith struggles to free herself from his embraces. She eludes him and leaves the house. Cornwell finds her note saying that she cannot live with him. Alan Winthrop, now in America, gets a position as caretaker of Cornwell's mountain lodge, and is told to engage a woman to help him. Cornwell impresses on Alan's mind that in the mountains he is known as "Colonel Page." Unable to get work Edith applies for a theatrical position. When the manager intimates that he will give her a position if she is "nice" to him, she tells him she would rather die. That night, while Alan is making his way to the railroad station, preparatory to leaving for Sylvia Lodge, he sees her jump off a pier. He rescues her. She tells him that she has nothing to live for, and he engages her to help him in the care of Sylvia Lodge. Cornwell has an "intimate friend" in Laura Le Moyle, who left her husband to go with him. At a dinner given by Cornwell, he pays marked attention to Kathleen Lorraine, thereby Incurring the jealousy of Mrs. Le Moyle. Alan and Edith reach the lodge, and Jaeger warns them that the lodge is haunted. Saul Potter, the half-crazed ex-caretaker of Sylvia Lodge, sees them coming, and realizes that Colonel Page must be coming back. He tells Jaeger that the chance to kill Page has now arrived. He stares through the window into Alan's cottage, and Edith is frightened. When Edith communicates her fears to Alan he gives her a revolver, telling her to use it in case of need. Going through the lodge to prepare it for Page's arrival, Alan comes across a boudoir, beautifully furnished. On a dressing table he sees a framed photograph of Edith. Page arrives with his guests, among whom is Mrs. Le Moyle and Kathleen Lorraine. He again neglects Mrs. Le Moyle and she warns him not to goad her too far. He calms her, tells her to go to her room. Kathleen Lorraine has no maid, and while Alan is locking up the lodge Page tells him to send someone to help Miss Lorraine. Mrs. Le Moyle hears Page tell Miss Lorraine that he will come back to her later. Edith comes to help Miss Lorraine, while Pages goes to pacify Mrs. Le Moyle. Returning to Miss Lorraine's room there is a mutual recognition between Edith and her husband. Edith rushes from the lodge, goes to her cottage, and taking the revolver with her for protection leaves. Page leaves the lodge to follow his wife, and then Mrs. Le Moyle is seen pointing a revolver out of her room at the same time that Saul Potter is seen pointing his rifle. Both fire, and Mrs. Le Moyle throws her revolver out of the window. Page falls in the snow, where his guests come down in time to see him die. Edith meets Saul Potter and seeks his aid in getting away. Alan finds her and the revolver gone and sets out to look for her. He learns that Edith must leave at once, although she offers no explanation. There being no train until the morning, she is forced to stay at Saul's shack overnight. At the coroner's inquest the guests give their testimony and then Edith is summoned. She says she is the deceased man's wife. Fearing that Edith is guilty, and wishing to spare her, Alan says that it was he who killed Page, giving as a motive the fact that he found Edith's photo in a secret bedroom, and knew that Page was a villain. Then Saul Potter tells his story: A year ago he was caretaker at Sylvia Lodge. Page sent him on a trip to get him out of the way, and then he seduced his young wife, keeping her imprisoned in his secret bedroom. When his wife died he swore to have vengeance. He waited for Page to return and then killed him. At this point one of the guests brings a revolver which he found under Mrs. Le Moyle's bedroom window, and the coroner announces that the bullet which killed Page was of the same caliber as the ones used in this revolver. Unobserved, Mrs. Le Movie takes poison. After telling that she left her husband and sacrificed everything, only to be thrown off like an old glove by Page, she dies. Later that evening Alan receives a cable from his father saying that he knew the truth about the rambling episode, and bidding him return to his home at once. Alan tells Edith ho will go on one condition, that she accompany him as his wife. She agrees.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Myron Leeds and his brother Roger are both in love with Mary, but when Myron wins her, his father disowns him. While Myron struggles as an artist to support his wife and little daughter Beth, Roger marries and settles into his father's sumptuous estate. Roger's maid Norah, concerned when the death of his little boy causes him and his wife to shut themselves off from all society, invites Beth to visit the estate posing as her niece. Beth endears herself to the couple, but Myron, driven to desperation by his poverty and his wife's ill health, decides to rob the estate. Roger hears that someone is breaking in, but in attempting to shoot the intruder, he wounds Beth instead. As a result of this unhappy incident, Roger resolves to share his fortune with his brother, and the family is reunited.

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

Richard Barton, a prosperous manufacturer, has an accomplished wife, Helen, and Bess, a child of five. Richard has in his employ a man addicted to gambling. After repeated warnings, he discharges him, fearing that some day he may have a losing streak and take some of the firm's money. Being of a moody, vindictive turn of mind, he vows revenge. The same evening the Bartons are giving a party and it is arranged that Mrs. Barton will recite for her guests. Charles Burham, a theatrical manager, is present and, charmed with her elocution, tells her there is always a position waiting for her should she ever desire to go on the stage. The party is abruptly ended when Richard receives the news that his plant is on fire, having been set by the discharged employee. Richard assists the firemen, gets drenched and catches a severe cold, which turns to tuberculosis. The litigation over the insurance of the plant has forced the little family to hard circumstances and they are compelled to seek cheaper quarters in which to live. During all this time, Howard Barton, a wild young brother of Richard's, who has been seeking his fortune in Australia, has at last achieved success, and decides to return to New York. He has written Richard at the plant, but when he arrives there, finds the place in ruins. He tries in vain to locate his brother's present whereabouts. Richard is discouraged, and during this strenuous time, his wife is like a guiding star, taking discomforts cheerfully and giving him the loving care, tender sympathy and moral support that only a good woman can give. He, however, has not much moral stamina, and adversity breeds peevishness and irritability. After a time they are so impoverished she has to pawn her jewelry. While in the pawn shop one day, she meets a stranger, who is greatly impressed by her beauty, and listening to her pitiable tale, tells her that if she will but let him entertain her that evening, she will not have to want in the future. Helen rebukes him, but not until he has given her his name and address. When she finds later that she cannot raise any more money and must have money to buy medicine, she dresses up for the sacrifice, and goes to Howard's apartment. A few days later, Howard's letter reaches Richard, who sends for his brother. Both brothers are happy at seeing each other, but when Richard introduces his wife, Howard recognizes her and she meets his brother's wife as well as the visitor to his apartment. Howard arranges for the little family to go into the mountains. He sees them off and makes all sorts of excuses for remaining away, until Richard insists that he come, as he has been injured while out sleighing. The presence of Howard is a trying ordeal for Helen as well as himself. Being unable to quell his passions, he resolves to leave for Australia, but while talking about the past, Richard steps into the room and hears the terrible truth. Angry, he turns his wife from the house. She goes to Burnham and obtains a position on the stage, at the same time caring for her child. She is cast in a play very similar to that in which she has figured in real life. Richard and Howard, now both in New York city, are present at the first night. When he sees Madame Bondorti on the stage, Richard is by her resemblance to his own wife, but when he hears her speak, he is sure it is her. A few days later, after Richard learns the great depths of the sacrifice his wife made for him, he realizes how he had been unjust to her, and through Howard's efforts, they are brought together through the pleadings of their child, Bess, who has been in an orphanage during these years of estrangement. After the loving union of the three, Howard leaves for Australia, never to return.

Dir: Harley Knoles

On her son David's second birthday, Madge Black witnesses her best chum Nan Westland, kissing her husband Jeffrey Arnold Black, a successful lawyer, and orders Nan from the house. Angered, Jeffrey does not explain that it is his money that maintains their home--not her father's, as she believes. Jeffrey leaves his wife and son. On board a westbound train, Jeffrey meets Nan. She explains that she has been compromised, and that she is going away to hide. Touched by her apparent sorrow, Jeffrey tells her that, though he doesn't love her, he will try to protect her. In love with him, Nan is willing to accept him on any terms. A year later a son is born to Nan and Jeffrey. She pleads with him to divorce Madge and marry her for the sake of their son William's name, but he will not hear of it. Ben Richardson, Jeffrey's client, is a frequent visitor at their home. Richardson's sincerity eventually wins Nan; goaded by Jeffrey's indifference, she leaves him and their son to become Richardson's wife. Twenty years later David Black has developed into a splendid specimen of manhood, while his half-brother William has become the leader of a lawless band. David goes West to take charge of a mining plant. Happily married, Ben Richardson and Nan have become owners of Chanceland, a gambling-house in Colorado. "Rodeo," as William Arnold is known, goes to Chanceland to try his luck, but he loses all his money. He sees Nan in the music room adjoining, and eager to make an impression on her, he saunters in. When Nan asks his name, he says they call him "Rodeo the bandit." His real name, William Arnold, son of Jeffrey Arnold, from whom he had run away at 14. Never knew his mother; he guesses he'd better be going or he'd get sentimental. Not revealing her identity, Nan presses a ring into his hand, and tells him to come to her if he should be in trouble. Believing that he has surely "caught" the Queen, he strolls out. In the same town, his half-brother, David Black, is working on his mining schemes. In the doorway of Chanceland, "Rodeo" passes David Black, and both are struck by their remarkable resemblance to each other. David receives a telegram from his fiancée Kathleen May, asking him to meet her at the train which is to arrive the next morning. That night Rodeo and his men hold up the train. While Rodeo is relieving the passengers of their valuables, the conductor leaps on him, and the bandanna which concealed the bandit's features, is torn away, revealing him to Kathleen, who believes that he is David. The bandit effects a getaway. When David comes for Kathleen the next day, she snubs him and walks past him. Ben Richardson's servant sees Rodeo and his men dividing the plunder and reports to Richardson. The latter intimates to Nan that the young fellow she was interested in is suspected of a number of crimes. She realizes that her son is in danger. Disconsolate, David tries to find solace in Chanceland, where he is arrested on the charge of robbing the mails and holding up the train. Deciding on a bold stroke, Rodeo goes to see Nan. She discloses herself as his mother and pleads with him to be careful, for as soon as the prisoner proves an alibi, the sheriff will be after Rodeo. Hearing Richardson, she pushes her son into her bedroom. Richardson, suspecting that Nan is hiding her lover, dashes into the room and fires at Rodeo, who is taken to court where David is being tried for the bandit's crimes. Nan confesses to Richardson that Rodeo is her son, and hastens to court. Also in the courtroom are Kathleen and Madge, David's mother. The presiding judge is Jeffrey Arnold Black, father of the prisoner. When Rodeo is brought in, a dramatic scene ensues, during which the two half-brothers face each other. Nan embraces her wayward son, while he bewails the fact that he had found his mother only to lose her, and draws his last breath after vindicating David. A tender reconciliation follows among Madge, Jeffrey, and their son David. Richardson seeks and obtains Nan's forgiveness for his suspicions of her. David and Kathleen embrace, then discuss their hopes of a little cottage for two.

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

James Rallston has married a rich widow who is an invalid with a daughter, Jean. Being in financial difficulties, he plans to get control of his wife's fortune. A woman doctor, Miss Lane, attends Mrs. Rallston and by drugging her reduces her to such a condition of physical impotency that no difficulty is found, by the aid of an unscrupulous keeper of a sanitarium. Dr. Garside, to secure an order for commitment and deprive her of liberty. Fifteen years pass. Rallston lives in magnificent style on his wife's money. He believes her to be dying. Miss Lane hopes to marry Rallston when Mrs. Rallston dies, but instead of dying, she recovers her health and is perfectly sane. Meanwhile, Rallston speculates heavily and loses his daughter's fortune. He tries to persuade the girl to marry an old friend Bigelow, to whom he appeals for help in recovering his fortune. Bigelow suspects Rallston of deception, as well as dishonesty, and is unwilling to believe that Mrs. Rallston is either dead or insane. Bigelow forces up the price of a stock and recovers Jean's fortune for her. Then he disguises himself and, obtaining admission to the sanitarium, rescues Mrs. Rallston. The keeper of the sanitarium, Dr. Garside, takes to flight, and Rallston is killed in an automobile accident. Miss Lane confesses her crime. Mother and daughter are reunited and the girl marries the man of her choice.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Helene, who dances in a Greenwich Village cabaret accompanied on the violin by her grandfather, loses her job after his death. She then is hired as a portrait model by four artists--Jaffrey Darrel, Ned Lorrimer, Dick Turner and Stanley Sargent--all of whom become fascinated with her. Helene leaves the Village when Ned's jealousy disrupts the camaraderie of the quartet and becomes a stage star. Meanwhile, all of the artists have attained success except Jaffrey, who refuses to taint his art with commercialism. Helene, learning of Jaffrey's failure, visits him in the Village and accepts his marriage proposal.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Following the death of her father, a Maine trapper, Jennie Cox moves to New York to earn her living. She is aided by a close friend, Professor Rolfe, who secures a typing position for her, but just as she loses the job through the schemes of a jealous co-worker, Rolfe dies, and Jennie is left alone and nearly penniless. With her last three dollars, she decides to have a good meal at the elegant Claridge, and there she meets Billy West, a wealthy man who is in the process of obtaining a divorce. Billy offers Jennie a job as his housekeeper, and soon she learns that he is an avid gambler. Billy is accustomed to losing moderate amounts of money, but when Henry Walker fleeces him out of $12,000, both Jennie and Billy's ex-wife Cora come to his rescue. After Cora hands him the money and departs, Billy proposes to his housekeeper.