Essential Cult Cinema Drawn from the Same DNA as His Bridal Night: ...

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Felicia Day is brought up in seclusion by her affectionate but narrow-minded grandfather, Major Trenton. One day, Dudley Hamilt, a choirboy, throws his ball across the fence which separates the rectory from the Trenton yard and meets Felicia, from whom he steals a kiss. Trenton sees the children smooching and, shocked, sends Felicia to Canada. Years pass and Felicia, now an adult, decides to go to New York and make her living as a seamstress. She still yearns for Dudley but decides against seeing him because of her old-fashioned wardrobe. Possessing a natural talent for dancing, Felicia is offered a job by lecherous theatrical manager Allen Graemer, and she accepts. Dudley, attending one of her performances, recognizes his long-lost love and follows her home where he rescues her from Graemer's advances and admits his enduring love for the girl from whom he stole a kiss.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

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

An artist pretends to be a valet to escape a woman's advances. He marries another woman but must keep painting in secret to make enough money.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

A bank clerk forges a check to help his girlfriend's father. He's found out, but instead of being arrested he becomes a member of a gang of forgers.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

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

Mary Horton, a country girl, moves to New York to make her living as a seamstress, where she meets Hilda Newton, an old neighbor who has renounced her country ways for the immoral life of the city. Mary moves in with Hilda and meets Bob Merrick who, charmed by the girl's innocence determines to protect her. Just as she is about to succumb to evil influences, Mary is called home to her mother's sickbed where she is denounced for her evil ways by her former sweetheart, Horace Worth. However, when Hilda's friends decide to visit Mary, Bob Merrick defends her reputation and proposes to her. The couple decide to remain in Mary's country village, while Hilda and her friends return to the city.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Rosa Roma, an aspiring singer, is signed by backer Ogden Ward on condition that she not fall in love, appear in public, or use her own name. But she meets composer Griffith Ames, falls in love with him, and stars in his new opera. When Ward upbraids her, Rosa tries to satisfy her contract by means of a ruby necklace, which he has been secretly trying to obtain through devious means, but the rubies are stolen. Ames is accused of the theft, but the culprit finally confesses, and Rosa is reunited with Ames and her rubies.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

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

Ruth Hamilton, from a wealthy aristocratic family, cares little for society or its conventions and refuses the proposal of William Barton, a socialite of her parents' choice. While giving some poor children an outing on a beach, Ruth meets John Martin (Miles?), a young nouveau riche with no social standing who is snubbed by the aristocratic circles, and begins to visit him secretly. When Ruth visits John to show off a new costume, her father arrives to seek his financial aid. Ruth escapes, but she is observed by Barton, who informs her father. Hamilton insists that Martin marry his daughter, but Ruth refuses to be compromised by her father. Later, however, she consents to marry John, discovering that he really loves her.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Margherita, an Italian girl, comes to America to avenge the murder of her fiancé by the mysterious Cardi.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

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

To help her husband keep his job, a woman gives in to her employer's advances. When the husband finds out, he kills his rival.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

Young Nell loses her job and home and her father is sent to prison. She joins the Salvation Army and tries to redeem him when he comes out bent on continuing his life of crime.

Dir: Kenneth S. Webb

A woman struggles to overcome a cabal of blackmailers, but learns that the boss of the blackmailers is none other than her own father.