Recommendations
Senior Film Conservator

Delving into the atmospheric depths of Contraband reveals a master at work, the visual language established by Alan Crosland is something many try to emulate. From hidden underground hits to established classics, these are our top picks.
The enduring power of Contraband lies in to synthesize diverse influences into a singular artistic statement.
After inheriting a newspaper in a small country town, Carmel Lee leaves her home in the city to take charge of it. She soon discovers that the town is terrorized by a band of bootleggers, who abduct and later kill the local sheriff. With the aid of Professor Pell, who has been recently fired as school superintendent, Carmel makes a public issue of the sheriff's murder, editorializing in her paper for justice and reform. Pell and Carmel are kidnapped by the bootleggers, but Carmel escapes and alerts the police. The bootleggers are arrested, the sheriff's murder in solved, and Abner Fownes, a politician and one of the town's leading citizens, is uncovered as the leader of the gang.
Critics widely regard Contraband as a cult-favorite piece of Drama cinema. Its emotional resonance is frequently cited as its strongest asset, solidifying its place in United States's film legacy.
Based on the unique emotional resonance of Contraband, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Drama cinema:
Dir: Edgar Jones
A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.
View Details
Dir: Edward LeSaint
When famous opera singer Elinore Duane undergoes an operation on her throat, she has a series of ether-induced visions. In one, she is transported to ancient Rome where she appears as a much-admired woman in love with Paul, a young heretic, and at odds with Lutor, the high priest. To save her love, she poisons Lutor with her ring. After several other visions which involve variations on this love triangle, Elinore awakens to discover that Lutor is actually her doctor, Sascha Jaccard, and that Paul is the son of a friend who has come to visit the recovering prima donna.
View Details
Dir: Alan Crosland
In Scotland in 1751, young David Balfour is shanghaied aboard a ship where he meets Jacobite rebel Alan Breck Stewart with whom he escapes to the Scottish Highlands, dodging the redcoats.
View Details
Dir: William Parke
Bruce Wendell, the son of West Virginia coal mine owner James Wendell, graduates from West Point and prepares to lead a fighting unit to the front during World War I. As his father lies dying, however, he convinces Bruce to remain at home and guard the mine. Bruce's fiancée Ann Blair assumes that he is a coward and breaks off their engagement, but her brother Bobbie remains Bruce's loyal friend. Meyer, a German agent, persuades railroad president Parrish to refuse to transport Wendell's coal, but when Bruce adamantly refuses to close the mine, the spy's men decide to blow it up. While Ann is being abducted by Meyer, Bobbie is buried in an explosion at the mine. Bruce rescues Bobbie and then sends a plea to Lieutenant Parrish to rescue Ann. Meyer and his gang are captured and Ann renews her vow of love to Bruce.
View Details
Dir: Alan Crosland
Wanting to impress the beautiful Bella Cavallo, whose stepfather Ferris forces her to act as a decoy in his Tenderloin gambling establishment, Richard Brettner commits a minor robbery. Judge Reverton pardons the love-struck young man but regrets his decision when Richard is arrested for murder. Through his physician, Dr. Comyns, the judge meets Bella and soon makes her his wife. The doctor, however, tells Reverton about Bella's profession, thereby causing him to distrust his new wife. Reverton returns home to find Bella planning a night meeting with Arthur Hallam, the murdered man's nephew. Expecting the worst, the judge soon realizes that Bella plotted only to beguile Arthur into a confession that he, and not Richard, committed the murder. Richard is released and the married couple is reunited.
View Details
Dir: Alexander Butler
In Alberta, Canada, a Cornish emigrant unmasks a rustler posing as the girl's "blind" father.
View Details
Dir: Harley Knoles
Jim McDonald, the foreman of a shipbuilding plant and head of the labor union, strives to combat the anarchistic propaganda being put forth by Klimoff, the leader of a Bolshevik gang whose goal is to disrupt the country with strikes and anarchy. Despite McDonald's efforts, a strike is called, resulting in chaos. McDonald's child is knocked down by runaway horses abandoned by their striking driver, and dies. Mob scenes take place in America, as well as in Russia. Eventually, the unrest is quelled with an armistice called between Capital and Labor for a year, during which time wages are to be increased to reflect the cost of living, and leaders are to work out a common plan for their mutual advantage. The strikers now realize that they have been pawns of the Bolsheviks and call off the strike, agreeing to the plan.
View Details
Dir: Frank Beal
During a raging Montana snowstorm, Doctor Jim Barnes collapses at Esther Anderson's cabin door. Esther offers Jim refuge, but when he discovers that their food supplies are running dangerously low, he braves the journey into town in order to replenish them. On the way, he is overcome with exhaustion and fails to return. Esther, unaware of Jim's condition and abused by her stepfather, joins a theatrical troop and leaves home. Time passes and Jim finally finds Esther, but a vindictive member of her troupe accuses her of having an affair with the manager and Jim believes the accusation. He leaves and Esther goes to New York City where she becomes engaged to a jealous artist, although she still loves Jim. Sam Tuttle, a long time friend, is aware of Esther's continuing love, and so brings Jim to New York City in time to save Esther from an unhappy marriage.
View Details
Dir: Eduardo Notari
A crime drama in the Gennariello-series. The police detective in Naples that is confronted with modern gangsters and crime events.
View Details
Dir: Maurice Elvey
A lady marries a horse trainer but withholds herself until her crippled brother is cured.
View DetailsAnalysis relative to Contraband
| Film Title | Atmosphere | Complexity | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the River | Gritty | High | 92% Match |
| A Sister to Salome | Gothic | High | 88% Match |
| Kidnapped | Gritty | Layered | 86% Match |
| The Key to Power | Gritty | Dense | 91% Match |
| The Whirlpool | Gritty | Linear | 94% Match |
This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Alan Crosland's archive. Last updated: 6/20/2026.
Back to Contraband Details →