Must-Watch List in the Vein of John Petticoats: Cult Guide

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

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

Tough outlaw 'Sierra' Bill falls in love with traveling violinist Nelly Gray and forces her to marry him. They have a child, but their cozy family life is interrupted by gambler Ringo, who not only persuades Nelly to leave her husband but also ruins Sierra at the gaming table. With thoughts of vengeance, the angry Sierra breaks out of jail and goes after Ringo.

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

Mrs. Hugh Manners tires of her husband, a stodgy lawyer, and arranges to divorce him. She gives a party to celebrate her freedom and becomes involved with Preston Ducayne, a gambler, and Olga Kazanoff, an adventuress. Ducayne is killed and suspicion points to Mrs. Manners until her husband establishes her innocence.

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

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

Sea captain "Hurricane" Hardy searches for treasure in the Sahara Desert and encounters Helen Maitland, the last remaining member of a missionary group. He offers her protection and carries her to the coast, with the intention of claiming her for himself when she recuperates. At a rundown seacoast hotel, Helen befriends Ralph Alden, a young man fighting off addiction and despair, as well as a three-year-old orphan named "Peroxide" whom Leon Roche, the proprietor, is rearing. Hurricane Hardy decides to attack Helen, but the touch of the child's white hands fills him with shame and remorse. Hurricane reforms and adopts the child, leaving Helen free to rehabilitate Ralph, her new love.

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

Three men, Lucky Bill (Tom Mix), Landry (J. Gordon Russell), and Morgan (Jim Mason) are in love with the same girl, pretty Molly (Betty Jewel). Lucky Bill finally wins her with his skillful horsemanship and dogged determination.

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

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

Sergeant O'Malley, a member of the Northwest Mounted Police, is assigned to bring in the murderer of a saloon keeper named La Grange. Disguised as a cowboy, O'Malley attends a rodeo, where he believes a group of outlaws, including the alleged killer, are performing. He follows them to their stronghold in the mountains, then robs a bank in order to ingratiate himself into the gang. After making off with $5000, he is chased by a posse, but he manages to elude them, and then is admitted into the gang. O'Malley falls for Rose Lanier, who cooks for the gang. Rose's brother, Bud, is the alleged killer. When the leader of the gang, Red Jaeger, makes unwanted advances towards Rose, O'Malley thrashes him. Jaeger decides to betray the gang, and secretly rides to the sheriff's office. There, he learns that the stolen bank money has been returned, and that O'Malley is working undercover. Jaeger shows the evidence to the gang, and they tie O'Malley to a tree. He is placed under guard, and is set to be hanged at daybreak. Rose secretly gives O'Malley a knife, enabling him to escape, along with her and her brother. While the three are on the run, O'Malley learns that Bud killed La Grange because the saloon keeper had wronged Rose. Later, O'Malley leaves a note telling Rose and Lanier who he really is. He also informs then he is headed back to his post to resign, but will return for Rose if she is willing to wait for him.

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

In this lost adaptation of the 1903 novel, Roy Glennister and Cherry Malotte fight against crooked politicians to keep a gold mine.

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Mile-a-Minute Romeo perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Crook Bud Doyle returns from the war intending to go straight but finds it difficult because of his crook-like features. His wife, her new companion Joe Culver, and Boss McQuarg conspire to frame Bud, and he goes to jail. He escapes, has an accident, and is taken to a hospital for plastic surgery. His features transformed, he discovers the plot against him, helps District Attorney Carlson bring the conspirators to justice, and marries his nurse.

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

Claire Curtis, Jimmie Strong and Mary have spent their childhood together in the country. Upon reaching adulthood, Claire goes to New York and becomes a success on stage. Jimmie, who has always dreamed of becoming an inventor, goes to New York to sell the machine he invented, and there he renews his acquaintance with Claire. Soon their old friendship ripens into love. Meanwhile, back in the country, Ralph and David Harding, who are making Jimmie's machine, plan to steal the right to it. Back in New York, Mary appears and informs Claire that she loves Jimmie, and the actress resolves to give her a chance to win him. When it appears that the Hardings' scheme to steal Jimmie's machine will succeed, however, Mary's ardor turns cold. Claire and Jimmie then rush back to the country in time to avert the takeover and save his firm from bankruptcy.

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

Ben Trego dies defending his twin sons from Indian attack. Separated, the two boys grow up very differently, one as Paul Marsden, the other as a cowboy named Three Word Brand. Paul becomes governor of Utah while Brand partners with George Barton in a ranch. The owner of the adjacent ranch plots to get Barton and Brand out of the way in order to control water rights. When Governor Marsden comes to the area to investigate, Brand sees the resemblance between them, though neither knows about his twin. Brand waylays Paul and takes his place as governor in an attempt to thwart the crooked rancher in the water-rights scheme.