Hand-Picked Alternatives Movies That Echo the Spirit of His Brother's Wife: Cult Guide

Dir: Harley Knoles

In the little kingdom of Balkany lived a king and queen who were not liked by their subjects. His Majesty was King John the Fifth, and Her Royal Highness was Queen Vesta. To them was born a daughter, the Princess Honore, who was placed in the convent of the Holy Sisters. The little kingdom rebelled against the extravagance of King John, and an attack was made upon the castle. Both the king and queen were assassinated. Princess Honore succeeded to the throne. In love with her and coveting the crown was Baron Stefano, Prime Minister, but his love was not returned. This incurred the ill-will of the Prime Minister, who set out to overthrow the little kingdom and turn it into a republic with himself as ruler. Prince Boris renounced his title and cast his lot with the peasantry. He was loved by the common folk and proved a leader. During the annual fair people gathered in the capital from far and near. There were rumors of an uprising. The young queen had not brought about much change in the conduct of the official household. The extravagance had continued to eat up the revenue raised by the heavy tax, and the people were protesting and demanding that something be done for their relief. These rumors reached the girl queen, and clad in the garments of a peasant girl she went forth during the fair to learn what she could. In this way she soon learned of her disfavor. One day she met Prince Boris, who told her of conditions that existed. One of the government spies, overhearing his conversation, suspected that he was forming a plot against the young queen, who was not recognized by the spy because of her disguise. The spy hastily informed the Prime Minister, who ordered the arrest of Prince Boris. The soldiers were dispatched, and Prince Boris was placed under arrest. The young queen protested. She as his companion was also confined to the prison. The chief of the Royal Guard notified the Prime Minister of the arrest, telling him that during the struggle with the queen she defied him by proclaiming that she was the queen, and this aroused the suspicions of the Prime Minister. Alone he went to the dungeon and discovered that Boris's companion really is the queen. It dawned upon him that now he had her in his power, he will force her to make him her king consort, or bring about conditions that will speedily overthrow the government. Meanwhile Lesbia, a peasant girl, learns of the conspiracy and through her love for one Ivan, sergeant of the Royal Guard, she secured the release of the queen, who escaped in safety to the Royal castle. Next morning the queen heard the tolling of the prison bell. On asking her secretary what it indicated, she was told that her sweetheart, the Prince Boris, was to be executed at sunrise. She rushed into the office of the Prime Minister and forbid the execution. He laughed at her. Back in the village, outside the prison wall, the soldiers were drawn up to execute Prince Boris. But the people saw their beloved leader. rushed forward, overpowered the soldiers and released him from his bonds. An attack was then made on the castle. Prince Boris discovered his peasant girl companion to be none other than her Royal Highness, Queen Honore. The people were for revenge, but the queen told them of the Prime Minister's conduct and followed by her the crowd attacked Baron Stefano, which resulted in his death. The queen accepted Prince Boris as her beloved king consort.

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

After an explosion that sinks a yacht, Elma is shipwrecked with Micah, who claims her father ruined him by stealing the plans of a valuable machine.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Following the death of her father, a Maine trapper, Jennie Cox moves to New York to earn her living. She is aided by a close friend, Professor Rolfe, who secures a typing position for her, but just as she loses the job through the schemes of a jealous co-worker, Rolfe dies, and Jennie is left alone and nearly penniless. With her last three dollars, she decides to have a good meal at the elegant Claridge, and there she meets Billy West, a wealthy man who is in the process of obtaining a divorce. Billy offers Jennie a job as his housekeeper, and soon she learns that he is an avid gambler. Billy is accustomed to losing moderate amounts of money, but when Henry Walker fleeces him out of $12,000, both Jennie and Billy's ex-wife Cora come to his rescue. After Cora hands him the money and departs, Billy proposes to his housekeeper.

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

As a prank, college student William Lewis and some of his friends break into a house and are interrupted by a policeman who is accidentally shot. Will's friend Sid accuses Will of the shooting, but Will manages to escape and moves to a large city far away. He meets and marries Alice Hamilton, and they later have a daughter, Editha. Will has a job as a bank teller and everything is going fine--until Sid shows up one day and threatens to expose Will as the man who killed the officer unless Will helps him rob the bank. Complications ensue.

Dir: Harley Knoles

When untalented artist Wilfred Barsley is eager for success, he sells his soul to the devil, who first has him kill his uncle for an inheritance. Then, the devil instructs him to commit the sickly, struggling artist Paul La France to a sanitarium and exhibit Paul's paintings as his own. After doing so, Wilfred becomes an overnight modern master, while Paul, during his convalescence, loses his memory and also his sweetheart, Helen Danver, who does not know that he has been hospitalized. Then, when Helen sees one of Wilfred's paintings and recognizes it as Paul's, she bluffs an interest in the fake artist to get information about the real one. After she succeeds, she goes to Paul, and the sight of her restores his memory. Meanwhile, having returned to the vault where he had stashed his uncle's body, Wilfred dies when the door slams shut on him.

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

David Clifton is blinded while rescuing Katharine Lambert, the girl he loves, from a fire. Caring nothing for David, Katharine pursues her pleasures while Joan Merrifeld, who loves David, takes her place by his bedside. Believing that Joan is Katharine, David marries her and it is through her support and cooperation that he becomes a noted author. Upon regaining his sight, David is more than surprised to learn the identity of his wife. He is content, however, until Katharine reappears, bored with her husband Brooks. David's old love for Katharine returns and Joan, crushed, offers little resistance until Brooks, in anger, vows to kill Katharine if he discovers her unfaithful. It is only through Joan, who enters into a battle of wits with Brooks, that a catastrophe is averted. Then David at last realizes that he loves Joan, but at her command, leaves her for a year's time.

Dir: Harley Knoles

James Rallston has married a rich widow who is an invalid with a daughter, Jean. Being in financial difficulties, he plans to get control of his wife's fortune. A woman doctor, Miss Lane, attends Mrs. Rallston and by drugging her reduces her to such a condition of physical impotency that no difficulty is found, by the aid of an unscrupulous keeper of a sanitarium. Dr. Garside, to secure an order for commitment and deprive her of liberty. Fifteen years pass. Rallston lives in magnificent style on his wife's money. He believes her to be dying. Miss Lane hopes to marry Rallston when Mrs. Rallston dies, but instead of dying, she recovers her health and is perfectly sane. Meanwhile, Rallston speculates heavily and loses his daughter's fortune. He tries to persuade the girl to marry an old friend Bigelow, to whom he appeals for help in recovering his fortune. Bigelow suspects Rallston of deception, as well as dishonesty, and is unwilling to believe that Mrs. Rallston is either dead or insane. Bigelow forces up the price of a stock and recovers Jean's fortune for her. Then he disguises himself and, obtaining admission to the sanitarium, rescues Mrs. Rallston. The keeper of the sanitarium, Dr. Garside, takes to flight, and Rallston is killed in an automobile accident. Miss Lane confesses her crime. Mother and daughter are reunited and the girl marries the man of her choice.

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

Hugh Eltinge, a struggling artist, and Mark Dunbar, a genius of the pen, whom the world has as yet failed to reward, live together in MacDougal Alley. Across the hall is Doris Golden, a reporter on the Evening Star, who enthuses over the work of both. Mark's novel is sold and Hugh and Doris see a new Mark. Mark begs Hugh to allow him to stake him until his pictures sell, but pleasure in his new clothes and new popularity dwindle as he sees his old friends will not profit by them. A happy idea strikes him and he buys all of Hugh's paintings on exhibition at a local dealer, requesting that his name be not mentioned. Mark rejoices with Hugh when he comes home to tell the news. Then the two decide Doris must also share with them, and together they go to a lawyer, and arrange to persuade him to send a letter to Doris saying her uncle in San Francisco has died leaving her a thousand dollars. In another section of the City Mrs. Trailes and her daughter, Ruby, scheme to ensnare a wealthy husband for the girl. Mark's reputation has impressed them. He is invited to attend a meeting of their Literary Club and the girl is given instructions to attract him. Mark meets the young society girl. Hugh and Doris, she is reporting the meeting, are also there and to them evidences of Mark's awakening infatuation are pitifully clear. Mark sees Ruby often. At a ladies' swimming club he is the guest of her mother. At a sign from her mother Ruby pretends to be drowning and Mark jumps in to her rescue. The friendship thus engendered ripens into love and it is not long before they are married. But early in his wedded life Mark begins to feel the pangs of disillusion. Ruby is pettish and extravagant and when he remonstrates with her, she breaks into tirades of scolding that drive him to silence. Doris discovers her uncle is alive, and, perplexed, goes to the lawyer, who tells her all. She writes to Mark, enclosing a check for the whole amount she has left and promising to send the balance as soon as she can. His wife intercepts the letter and accuses him of infidelity. Her true vulgarity asserts itself and he goes to the little studio. Ruby follows and finds him with Doris and another scene is enacted. Mark begs Hugh to look after Doris, then leaves. Hugh leaves a letter for Doris and a note in which he asks her not to read the letter before she has found happiness. Hugh tells a newspaper reporter with whom he is acquainted that he has inherited a fortune from his grandfather, and the account is printed in the evening paper. Ruby and her mother remember he is a friend of Mark's and ask him to call. Soon a closer intimacy than friendship develops and Mark comes home one evening to find Ruby in his friend's arms. Disillusioned, his last ideal, friendship, completely shattered, Mark hurries away. After the divorce, he seeks Doris and the two become engaged. She remembers the letter and opens it. Herein Hugh has outlined his plans, the story of the fortune was a hoax, wherewith to entrap Ruby. For the sake of friendship he had sacrificed himself to bring happiness to the two he loved. Mark telephones to him and when he comes the old feeling of happiness and love fills once more the little studio in MacDougal Alley.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Divorcée Adrienne Van Couver visited clairvoyant Mme. Melvina, who tells her that a tall dark man, Robert Warren, is excited over a letter he has just received from her, telling him she does not love him. The fortuneteller bids her beware of him, then tells her that Henry Armstrong, the man she loves, will never love her. The clairvoyant then tells Adrienne of a young girl, Lorraine, whose eyes are dim with the tears that she has caused in another part of the city, Lorraine greets her fiancé, Henry Armstrong, with ill-concealed dejection and he tells her he fears she still loves John Dean, but she dispels his suspicions. John Dean shares the secret of his silent love for Lorraine with his mother. Robert Warren goes out into the night; it is then he meets John. In the other's haggard face, John Dean sees traces of his own sorrow and trying to make it easier for this man who has been his friend for five years, he tells Robert Warren his story. Eight years ago he and Adrienne were married. For two years they lived on the money inherited from his father. It was then the baby came and the father found happiness in the touch of baby hands, but to his wife it made no difference. Then the baby became ill, and while its mother was away dancing, the little life slipped away. Six months later Adrienne was given a divorce. Then he and his mother came to New York and a few years later he met and loved Lorraine Barkley. Although Henry Armstrong was a dangerous rival, Lorraine loved him and he did not fear until the day when the Barkleys gave a reception. It was then he met Adrienne again and she taunted him with his love for the young girl. When she demanded money, he gave it to her. Lorraine sees this and misconstrues the situation. It is then her engagement to Henry Armstrong is announced. John finishes his story and Robert is maddened by the destruction of the halo he had built around the woman he loved. Robert makes his way to Adrienne, who has been nervous and ill at ease ever since she returned from the fortune teller. Robert's haggard appearance frightens her and she telephones Henry, but her call for help is only half-uttered when Robert forcibly takes the instrument from her. Alarmed, Henry starts off at once to help her. Meanwhile, John, fearful for Adrienne's safety, goes to warn her. He arrives just after Robert has made his escape after murdering Adrienne. When Henry arrives with two policemen, he finds John bending over the dead woman. He is arrested. Lorraine is brokenhearted when she hears of the arrest and pleads with Henry, who is a lawyer, to take Dean's case. Detectives search Robert's apartment and find here a coat with buttons similar to one found in the dead woman's hand, and one is missing. They trace Robert to the hotel and after a terrible fight he is taken into custody. Happiness came with the morning, for Henry took Lorraine's hand and told her she was released from her promise to marry him. Then she called up John Dean and told him that she was ready to marry him.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth, and Amy live in a happy family in Concord, Massachusetts. Jo yearns to be a writer, and through the course of the years, finds much within her own family to write about.