Top-Tier Alternatives Exploring the Legacy of His Majesty, the American: Cult Guide

Dir: Joseph Henabery

Galen Albret, factor of the Hudson's Bay Co. in the Canadian Northwest, believes Graham Stewart guilty of conspiracy with his wife and sends them into the wilderness, where they die. Years later, Ned, Stewart's son, is a free trader interfering with Galen's trade, though unaware of Galen's connection with his fathers death. Ned is captured, but Galen's daughter, Virginia, helps him to escape. Discovering Ned's identity and that his father was unjustly suspected, Galen offers him an opportunity for revenge, but Virginia intervenes and the factor relents, surrendering his daughter to Ned.

Dir: Joseph Henabery

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

A conservative young man inherits his uncle's pearl-fishery concession in the South Pacific. Upon his arrival there, he becomes involved with a woman and a mystery.

Dir: Joseph Henabery

Phil Webster, alias "Slick Phil," the son of a minister, escapes from prison with his pal Red Barton and disguises himself as a minister. He accepts an invitation to become the parson of the mining town of Panamint, intent on using his position to rob the bank. He is welcomed by all the congregation except saloon owner Bud Deming and his daughter Salome. His activities as a fighting parson and the growing love of Salome cause him to reform, and when Red Barton carries out the planned robbery alone, Phil recovers the money and confesses his past to the congregation. The bishop arrives to investigate the new minister and discovers him to be his long-lost son. Phil returns to jail to serve out his sentence. Upon his release, he finds Salome and his father waiting for him.

Dir: Joseph Henabery

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

Mountaineer Pap Clayton has promised his daughter Sairy Ann (Dorothy Gish) to his cousin Jed Martin, but Sairy Ann loves Dr. Richard Cavanagh (Sam DeGrasse), the son of Judge Lee Cavanagh. In the midst of a feud between the Claytons and the Jacksons, a jealous Jed sets out to kill Richard. Jed shoots a deputy who gets in his way and is taken before Judge Cavanagh, whom the Claytons have threatened to kill if Jed is convicted. The Claytons are true to their word when Cavanagh finds him guilty, and Richard immediately vows to kill Jed, who has escaped. Sairy Ann, however, reminds Richard that he has railed against family feuding and has said that only the law can take a life. A sobered Richard captures Jed and hands him over to authorities; then, after he has forgiven the Claytons, he and Sairy Ann become engaged.

Dir: Joseph Henabery

Wealthy, snobbish, patronizing Horace Winsby is refused by Patricia Owens, then must leave his California valley because of restiveness by farmers whose mortgages he is foreclosing. In New York Horace runs up large bills, cannot pay them when his wallet is stolen, is put out of his hotel, and finally is helped by Shorty, a park bum. Patricia and her father come to New York and find a changed Horace washing dishes, and everything is resolved.

Dir: Joseph Henabery

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

An attractive young woman thrusts an attorney into wild adventures.

Dir: Joseph Henabery

Sam Sandell, an American engineer working in India, is attacked by a tiger but rescued and nursed back to health by Chameli Brentwood, a half-caste. Sam's subsequent marriage to Chameli angers her uncle, Sathoo Ram, and Raj Singh, a former suitor, and results in a plot to destroy Sam and his dam. Sam's onetime English sweetheart, Harriet Halehurst, on the other hand, takes the marriage well and even accepts Chameli into society. Chameli proves to be faithless and is killed by a bullet meant for Sam, who has again been saved from a tiger--this time by Harriet. Sathoo, Singh, and their fellow Thugs succeed in breaking the dam; Sam is reunited with Harriet after rescuing her from the flood.

Dir: Joseph Henabery

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

U. S. Senator Baldwin of Arizona succumbs to the charms of a widow who refuses to marry him as long as his daughter is single. His daughter, Judith, would prefer a trial marriage properly chaperoned at the Baldwins' country lodge. She finds Congressman Hamil a bore, but the liveryman notifies the Washington press that they have eloped. Courtney, her other suitor, arrives early at the lodge, and the news brings Ted Musgrove, Baldwin's ranch manager who has always loved Judith. Meanwhile, Baldwin, who has secretly married the widow, arrives at the lodge; and after the turmoil Judith decides that Ted is her man.

Dir: Joseph Henabery

During a quarrel at a Scottish inn, Captain Gordon wounds another officer and flees to New York with detective Jenks on his trail. Once there, he meets Marjory Seaton, an heiress whom her Uncle Tidmarsh is trying to marry to the profligate Winslow, but she is interested in fashionable sportsman Sylvester. One night at a ball, Gordon spies Jenks following him and, in the course of his escape, accepts refuge from a fight promoter named Brooks. At Brooks' request, Gordon substitutes for Sylvester's opponent, burglar Deacon, at a charity bout, and knocks out the real pugilist. Later, during a dinner party at the Tidmarshes', Gordon is mistaken for a lord and, when the real nobleman appears, is denounced as an impostor. The police are called, and while awaiting their arrival, Gordon prevents Deacon's attempt to rob the Tidmarsh safe. With the appearance of Jenks, who discloses that the quest for his search was to deliver a large inheritance to Gordon, Marjory declares her love for the Scotsman and all ends happily.

Dir: Joseph Henabery

In order to find out who's behind a cattle rustling operation that's hurting ranchers, a detective for the Cattleman's Protective Association pretends to be a tenderfoot from back east who's just arrived in the area and doesn't know how to ride, rope or shoot.