The Auteur's Selection In the Shadow of How to Break 90 #1: The Gri...

Dir: Frank Moser

The simple story is about two siblings, little brother Bud and big sister Susie. After they've been reading "Huckleberry Finn" they dream of adventures on the Mississippi River.

Dir: Hal Roach

An American book salesman (Lloyd) is persuaded to go to the kingdom of Thermosa to impersonate the Prince. He is greeted by a peasants' revolt before the real prince shows up to claim his throne and princess. The revolution succeeds, and the American is elected president of the new republic.

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

Dir: Bud Fisher

Mutt and Jeff go on strike and make their own film.

Dir: Mason N. Litson

Edgar and his chum try to amass a fortune in one day by cornering the fan market on a hot afternoon when the circus comes to the small town where they are spending their vacation.

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

Dir: George Marshall

Ruth Robin is the daughter of a millionaire, and is attending a seminary for girls at the time the story opens. Her father, Daniel Robin, is a recluse and lives in perpetual fear of death at the hands of a criminal band known as the "Terrible Thirteen." He has been forced Into membership of this band against his will. Daniel Robin is shot from behind by LaFarge, the leader of the "Terrible Thirteen," who is known as the Hound. While on his death bed Mr. Robin has his daughter summoned. He tells her in the presence of his trusted butler, Wayman, that she must recover a Peacock Fan stolen by the band, as it contains a secret affecting her. She must also accept thirteen separate keys as they are handed to her by an unknown hand, and follow the Instructions in each instance. Ruth agrees to these terms, and after her father's death starts out on the first mission. It takes her to the home of the Countess Zitka, where she finds the Peacock Fan. Later, she is forced to invade the headquarters of the "Terrible Thirteen," and still later another key takes her into the heart of Chinatown.

Dir: Alfred J. Goulding

Two tramps wrest a pistol from a hold up man, then try to pull a stick up of their own, unfortunately for them, a cop appears and takes the money back and then chases them through a park with a lake. One steals canoe and the chase continues when a mob of cops go after him in more boats.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Get-Rich-Quick Edgar perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Unknown Director

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Malcolm St. Clair

A dancing instructor gets involved with a newly rich family.

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

Dir: Unknown Director

The village youths are rivals for the hand of the local belle. Their battles lead them to the village store, where chaos soon reigns, terminating in the place being blown up, leaving Bobby a happy victor.

Dir: Richard Smith

Two female candidates for Chief of Police live across the hall from each other, and their political rivalry follows them home, leading to plenty of hi-jinks.