The Global Archive For Devotees of Hearts and the Highway: Cult Guide

Dir: Wilfrid North

Leslie Brennan, an heiress, suddenly discovers that she is almost penniless, and faces the ordeal of making her own living. Before learning this condition of affairs she had become dazzled by the society manners of a cold-hearted fortune hunter, but becomes disillusioned when she discovers that he is attracted solely by her supposed wealth, and goes at once to earn her livelihood in the City of New York. There she studies typing and makes friends among the lowly. She secures a position with a brusque preoccupied young chemist, who is in the midst of a great discovery of value to the government. How Leslie becomes aware of the machinations of a foreign spy, how she saves her young employer's secret to the government in a series of encounters and how she comes to learn that he has fallen in love with her and that he is one who is really worthy of her, is told in a series of compelling scenes.

Dir: Wilfrid North

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

Inspired by a statue of the infant Christ in the hands of the Madonna, Bernice who lives in a convent in Naples, Italy conceives of a deep passion for babies. Learning that there are infants dying of hunger and neglect in America, Bernice determines to come to their aid. Dressed as a boy, she arrives in New York where destitute, Bernice meets artist Robert Bruce who hires her to pose for a painting of the Madonna. The two fall in love until one day, during Robert's absence, his wife appears and drives Bernice into the streets. Bernice's trials finally end when Mrs. Bruce dies in an automobile accident, freeing Robert to marry his model.

Dir: Wilfrid North

Having lost all his funds betting on the races in London, John Peters contemplates suicide; then, overhearing the conversation of two men, he considers a new course of action. He stuns one of them--Kluck--and after changing clothes with him, he makes his way to the United States, where he wins at the races, speculates successfully on Wall Street, and amasses a fortune under the sobriquet "Lucky" Carson. Kluck arrives in America, makes Carson's acquaintance, and begs for his help, which is freely given. Carson manages to retrieve some incriminating correspondence between Kluck and an adventuress, Madame Marinoff, who is threatening him. Kluck accuses him of a conspiracy, and a quarrel ensues when Carson reveals his true identity; but Doris Bancroft, Kluck's sister-in-law, discovers that he is innocent.

Dir: Wilfrid North

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

Lily Upjohn leaves the London slums after her father dies and becomes a chorus girl at the Pandora Theatre. When a scene painter drops some paint from a scaffold, Lily's screams prompt the show's composer to create a hit song entitled "Mind the Paint Girl," which warns men about made-up actresses. After Lily becomes an overnight sensation singing the song, she is courted by Nicholas Jeyes, a young officer who gives up his commission so he can remain near her, and by Lord Francombe. Jeyes' increasing jealousy causes Lily to become distant, which further intensifies his degeneration. After Jeyes bursts into Lily's birthday celebration and discovers her embracing Francombe, who has just proposed, Jeyes' anguished tale of his ruin due to being dangled by Lily, moves her to promise him marriage, but at the end, Jeyes and Francombe become friends and neither marries Lily.

Dir: Wilfrid North

Wealthy heiress Clover Dean has three suitors: Duke Boris, promoted by her aunt, Bucky Raine, a wealthy idler sponsored by her uncle, and struggling young doctor William Dunn, who is her own choice. Clover's engagement to the duke is to be announced at a dance, but she rebels before the gathering and refuses to go on with the marriage. Clover leaves hurriedly, a shot is heard and the duke found dead. Bucky Raine, discovered wandering about the garden with a revolver in his hand, is arrested for the crime, but his testimony convicts the doctor as the person who had possession of the gun during the shooting. The doctor and Clover are both arrested for suspicion, but a guilty conscience forces Rita, a former sweetheart of the duke to confess to the crime. Clover then has her own way and marries the doctor.

Dir: Wilfrid North

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

Four winners, out of 75,000 entrants, of a beauty contest supported by movie fan magazines appear in this film.

Dir: Wilfrid North

Rex Radcliffe, vice president of the Northern Atlantic Railroad, is opposed by company president William Harding in his desire to put over a deal that would jeopardize the stockholders of the Interstate Railroad. Using thought control, he causes Weer, Harding's discharged secretary, to murder his ex-boss. Weer is arrested for the murder. Radcliffe then puts Harding's daughter, Helen, also under his influence. John Bonham, Interstate president, becomes interested in the case, and with the aid of Mrs. Weer he exposes Radcliffe, who then commits suicide.

Dir: Wilfrid North

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

At first sight of Elizabeth Van Vorst, Hallock loses interest in her cousin, Amanda, whom he professed to love. Bereft of parents at an early age, Elizabeth was left in the care of a matronly aunt, Cornelia. Now, at twenty, she is a charming young miss. While visiting her cousin, Amanda, she meets Hallock, a wandering artist and musician. Attracted by her loveliness and charm, he forgets his avowed love for her cousin, and becomes infatuated with Elizabeth. Elizabeth's old-fashioned aunt objects to her friendship with a man whose affections are so easily swayed, and forbids her to see him. Piqued at her aunt's objection, Elizabeth continues to see him and he asks her to be his bride. After much pleading, she goes with him to a neighboring town where they are married. Fearing her aunt's ire, she pledges her husband to secrecy. She continues to live at home, while Hallock returns to the city, where he soon forgets his wife. Through an accident, Elizabeth meets and becomes interested in Julian Gerard, a gentleman from New York. Later, at the home of a mutual friend in New York they meet again. Their interest rapidly ripens into love. A prominent artist paints her portrait and when it is shown, she becomes the belle of the season. She goes to many social affairs with Gerard, and at one of them, is seen by her husband, who determines to use her apparent love for Gerard to his own benefit. In sore straits, he demands that she help him socially and financially, holding their marriage over her should she refuse. Elizabeth, unable to meet his demands for money sells her jewels. When she takes the blackmail to him, she is seen by Amanda, who is in Hallock's power. Thinking Elizabeth's relations with Hallock are the same as her own Amanda, in a fierce tirade, upbraids her for coming between them. Gerard, deeply in love with Elizabeth, persistently pleads his suit and is puzzled by her attitude. Although he can see that she loves him, she refuses to give him an affirmative answer, nor will she explain her action. Finally, he demands an explanation and she tells him of her unfortunate marriage. Despondent, he leaves the country to go on a long hunting trip to try and forget his sorrow. Soon after Gerard's departure, Hallock is found dead in his room, with a bottle of poison by his side bearing mute evidence to the cause of death. Elizabeth attracts suspicion to herself by a display of emotion, is taken into custody and held without bail. The trial begins. In connection with other damaging evidence, the testimony of the maid, who heard Elizabeth express a wish for Hallock's death, seems to nullify her chances of acquittal. In London, Gerard reads of the murder and the trial of Elizabeth. He leaves at once for America, where, on his arrival, he gives evidence which sways the case in Elizabeth's favor. After hours of deliberation, the jury returns the verdict of not guilty, and Elizabeth is freed. After the trial she is summoned to the bedside of Amanda in a hospital. Here, with her life blood fast ebbing, Amanda confesses to the murder of Hallock telling of the disgrace and humiliation he had caused her. Her confession finished, her lips are sealed forever by the hand of death. After their marriage, Elizabeth and Gerard leave for a honeymoon in the country, where Elizabeth will have an opportunity to blot the terrible ordeal from her memory.

Dir: Wilfrid North

Corianton is unsure of his father Alma's religious teachings until God strikes down a religious foe. Converted, he becomes a successful missionary until seduced by the harlot Isabel. Struck with guilt, he runs away until discovered by his brother Shiblon who is then killed. While mourning, Corianton has a vision of Jesus and leads his people in victorious battle.

Dir: Wilfrid North

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.