The Global Archive For Devotees of Great Expectations: Cult Guide

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

Young Frank Stratton, the scion of a wealthy family who is temporarily short of funds, has borrowed a valuable bracelet and hasn't returned it to its owner. A crooked detective, Jim Foley, finds the bracelet in Stratton's possession and promises not to arrest him for it in return for Stratton signing a confession that he stole it, which Foley intends to use at a future date. Years pass and a political boss in danger of losing an election asks Foley's help in getting valuable papers from his opponent, Worthington Lawrence. Foley knows that Lawrence is a friend of Stratton and tells Stratton that unless he steals those papers Foley will make his signed confession public. Complications ensue.

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

Anna, who lives with her harsh-tempered aunt, eagerly seizes the opportunity to join a traveling repertoire company. The girl and Darnton, the "villain" in the company, become deeply interested in each other, and because of Anna Darnton conquers his terrible craving for liquor. Later, when the troupe disbands in New York, Anna meets Rita. The girl makes the acquaintance of Marbridge, an agent of the worst type, and only her wit saves her from the man's clutches. Following a quarrel with Darnton, Anna foolishly consents to go autoing with Rita and the fast set with which the latter associates. The auto hurtles over an embankment and Anna alone escapes death. A reconciliation with Darnton follows. Anna obtains a position in the company in which Darnton plays the villain. The girl receives her great opportunity when the star, whom she is understudying, is injured on the opening night. Enwright, the manager, learns of the love between the new star and Darnton. Fearing lest sentiment affect their work, he sends Darnton to head the Chicago company. But the separation depresses Anna so greatly that Enwright orders Darnton to return. The player comes back unknown to Anna and suddenly appears before her at the next performance. The ensuing scene thrills the audience, which never for a moment suspects that the heroine and the villain are secret lovers. But the moment the curtain has descended Anna walks into Darnton's arms. Her lips meet his.

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

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

One moment before she dies, the aged, philanthropic, and universally respected Duchess of Maldon sees her life flash before her. As Madge, a young gypsy woman, two men fight for her, after which the winner, John, forces her to marry him. Then Madge deserts John and begins a romance in England with Harold, the youngest son of the Duke of Maldon. Soon, however, Harold fights with his older brother, who has criticized the affair with a married woman, and, believing that he has killed his brother, Harold leaves Madge behind and smuggles himself out of the country. Years later, Harold, who has found out that his brother did not die, meets Madge once again, and, determined not to let him leave her a second time, Madge kills John so that she and Harold can marry. Successfully covering up past scandals, Madge and Harold begin a life so sedate and distinguished that they quickly become England's model couple.

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

At her godmother's place in Paris, Ethel Cartwright meets dashing Stephen Denby but is reluctant to reciprocate her interest in her because he seems to be idle. Denby is actually a jewel smuggler and sells a $200,000 pearl necklace. Upon her arrival in New York, Ethel notices that her necklace is gone and claims her insurance money. The insurance company inspector finds Ethel's sister's behavior very peculiar and has her investigated by customs inspector Taylor; she soon reveals that she is the thief. Taylor tells Ethel he can forget the whole story if she helps him frame Denby. Ethel agrees and does it. As he is about to be taken to jail, Denby offers Taylor $30,000 to release him. Taylor accepts. Denby reveals himself a secret service agent in charge of catching a customs inspector who has been dealing illegally with smugglers for three years: Taylor. Ethel eventually marries Denby.

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

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

Valerie St. Cyr, seizes a chance for excitement and money, deserts her infant daughter Joan and her impoverished husband and runs away to Paris with the Count Du Poissy. Years later, without knowing that they are mother and daughter, both Valerie and Joan fall in love with artist Julian St. Saens, who rejects the former but becomes engaged to the latter. Enraged, Valerie convinces the count to kidnap Joan, but after she is captured, Joan stabs the count to death. When Valerie learns that Joan is her daughter, she takes the blame for the murder and goes to the guillotine while Joan, still unaware that Valerie is her mother, makes plans with Julian for their marriage.

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

A Russian refugee who masquerades as Zara, niece of Francis Markrute, comes to his home and marries Lord Tancred, a scion of the English nobility, after a long series of misadventures she makes a full confession to her supposed uncle and to her husband regarding her origin and her young son by a former marriage to a Russian prefect of police, whom an infuriated mob murdered for his cruelty. Tancred is stunned, but only for a moment. Overwhelmed with forgiveness he avows his undying love.

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

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

Society debutante Vivian Tyler is engaged to marry Count Belloto, then meets Dr. Robert Keith, whose work in uplifting the poor has attracted wide attention, she is strongly attracted to him and asks permission to work in his sanitarium, where the poor of the city receive treatment free of charge. There she meets Aggie May, a woman arrested as a streetwalker, and because she wears a locket bearing Dr. Keith's picture, Vivian assumes that the doctor has been responsible for the woman's downfall. Later, Aggie kills herself, and although Vivian witnesses the act, to avoid a scandal she hurries away before the police come. Dr. Keith is arrested for Aggie's death, the locket providing evidence of guilt. Just as he is to be convicted, Vivian rushes into the courtroom and gives the testimony that clears the doctor.

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

Seventeen-year-old William Sylvanus Baxter has fallen madly in love with young coquette Lola Pratt. After he has spent all his money on the fickle girl, she runs off with an older man. Now heartbroken, William contemplates suicide until May Parcher, a friend from childhood, visits him and decides to fall in love with him.

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

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

A professional burglar has taught his daughter the tricks of his trade, and she learned well. She's proud of her "career", but one day an unidentified man saves her from drowning, and the close call makes her think about changing her life. However, her father has a big heist he wants her to help him with: stealing a string of valuable pearls that an important politician is going to give to his fiancée. She reluctantly decides to help her father with the burglary, but an unexpected turn of events could result in her going to prison for something she didn't do.

Dir: Robert G. Vignola

After their wedding, Richard Vaughan and his wife Courtney take up residence in Richard's ancestral home. Courtney, despised by Nanny, the old housekeeper, and neglected by her husband, who buries himself in his chemical experiments, leads a lonely life. Consequently, when experimental chemist Basil Gallatin pays a lengthy visit to the Vaughan home, Courtney finds herself attracted to him. One day, during Richard's absence, a burglar alarm places Courtney and Gallatin in a compromising situation. Witnessing their embrace, Nanny is struck speechless, but when Richard returns she recovers her speech and gives damning evidence against Courtney. Gallatin flees, and Richard, realizing his culpability, gives his wife a divorce. Having read of the divorce, Gallatin returns and Courtney admonishes Richard to kill them both. Richard frightens Gallatin away with the threat of exploding one of his compounds, but Courtney defies death and remains. A reconciliation between husband and wife then follows.