The Essential Watchlist that Capture the Essence of Edgar Camps Out...

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Mynderse Van Dyun, a wealthy old New York aristocrat, has one goal in life, to see his granddaughter Catherine and grandson Pell married; for, although they are cousins, the marriage would perpetuate the family name. Catherine, however, is in love with Paul La Farge and detests her drug-addicted cousin, who seduces and then secretly marries her maid, Nora Duffy. After a son is born to Nora, who dies in childbirth, the infant is taken to the Van Dyun house where, only a few days before, Pell, in a dispute involving drugs, had been thrown from a window by his valet and killed. When the old man refuses to acknowledge the child, Catherine and Paul adopt the baby, leave the Van Dyun house and are married. Five years later, Catherine comes to visit the old man with his great-grandson, and, seeing what a fine boy he is, the old aristocrat is forced to admit that the boy is worthy of bearing his name.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Young engineer Tom Morley is building a railroad through Imperial Valley. Tom's father also wants the job and tries to persuade his son to give up the work, but Tom refuses. Tom falls for a society girl named Alice Hale, who marries him to bring prestige to her family. Initially, Alice plots against Tom, but Tom wins her over and they work together to defeat those who are plotting to destroy Tom's work.

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

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Dr. Manning cherishes Gloriana, his newly-adopted young daughter, but Mrs. Manning, who directs overseas charity projects, has as little concern for Gloriana as she does for the poverty-stricken people in her own city. After listening to her new mother philosophize about the importance of charity, Gloriana takes some money from Mrs. Manning's desk and gives it to Miriam, her impoverished governess. Mrs. Manning at first accuses Miriam of theft, but when Gloriana confesses, Mrs. Manning suddenly realizes that she has been blind to the poverty that surrounds her, and she vows to start devoting her energy into helping those who are closer to home.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Representing a large New York fish packing concern, George Wilton travels to the Newfoundland fishing village of Hearts Desire to purchase a packing plant, but he soon learns that the plant's owner, Jean Laroque, has no intention of selling. Wilton promises Jean's restless young fiancée, Judith Bretans, that he will finance her move to New York City provided she give him the deed to the plant. On the night of the wedding, Judith secures the papers from her new husband, and when Jean realizes that he has lost the plant to Wilton, he denounces Judith and leaves town. As the new owner, Wilton operates the plant with such cruelty that the outraged fishermen decide to revolt and are about to attack the building when Jean appears. Although he succeeds in dispersing the mob, Wilton is killed, and Judith, who has realized her foolishness, is reunited with her husband.

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

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Charlotte Carter, a young songwriter, moves to New York and settles in the city's Bohemian quarter. When Peter Ladislaw, one of her admirers, confesses that he has forged a number of checks and is in danger of arrest, the good-hearted girl promises to help him. Olga Grey, a dishonest schemer, convinces Charlotte to marry wealthy arts patron Gerard Townshend, who has been injured in an auto accident and is near death. Charlotte consents and the two are wed, but following an operation, Gerard recovers. Ashamed, Charlotte confesses that she married Gerard for his money, and he forgives her. Olga and Peter try to frame them for a divorce, but the couple, now deeply in love, rid themselves of the crooks and begin their marriage again.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Colonel Dabney Mills, whose Southern plantation is heavily mortgaged, makes a trip to New York hoping to borrow money from James Adams, his granddaughter Anna Belle's husband. When the colonel arrives, he learns that Adams's entire capital is tied up in a big stock deal, and that he is therefore unable to lend the colonel any assistance. While Adams is away, one of his business partners entrusts the colonel with $5,000 to retain for his grandson-in-law. Desperate, the colonel speculates in cotton on the tip of an old friend and loses the money. Conscience-stricken, the colonel returns to his plantation determined to take his life, but Adams, successful in his deal, arrives just in time to prevent the tragedy.

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

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

The valet of Lord Harold Varden, on a secret mission to our Government, has been murdered. Dick Holloway, a reporter, detailed to the story, calls on Lord Varden just as the latter feels the effects of poison administered to him. He takes the place of the nobleman when his American cousins come for him, and not only saves his lordship's papers, but captures the spies detailed to get them.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Young Polly Eccles is raising her sickly young brother Billy. When her doctor advises taking Billy away from their dank slum, she packs them both up and they head for California. While hitchhiking there, they are picked up by Kirk Drummond, who just happens to be driving to California himself. Upon their arrival, Kirk's wealthy father John is horrified that he has hooked up with a "lower-class" woman like Polly and does everything he can to make life miserable for her so she will leave. However, an incident occurs at the mine John's father owns that could turn out badly for all concerned.

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

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Yano is a small delivery boy for his uncle, who keeps a curio shop in Chinatown. His loves are Tama, his sweetheart, and Bengi, his dog. Bengi is seized by dog catchers, but is rescued by Letty Stanford, for which Yano promises his fealty. Later Letty is kidnapped by Germans because of her war activities, and it is Yano who goes to her rescue and gets her free in spite of his diminutive size. The Little Japanese has paid his debt.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Boston Blackie, a gentleman crook, and his accomplice, Mary, plan to rob the Wilmerding mansion while Mr. Wilmerding is out of town. Mary is hired as a nurse to Martin Wilmerding, Jr., and after Mrs. Wilmerding has gone to a ball, she admits Blackie, who starts to open the safe. Just then little Martin enters, and he and Blackie play and become fast friends. Mrs. Wilmerding returns with her lover, Donald Lavalle, and when Blackie overhears their plans to elope together with her jewels, he tricks Donald into giving him the jewels by posing as the jealous husband. Through several telegrams, he effects the reconciliation of his little pal's parents but cannot decide whether or not to return the jewels.