Deep Archive Finds Movies That Echo the Spirit of Kissing Cup's Race: Cult Guide

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Upon observing the adoration that track star Culver Covington receives, his friend, J. Wallingford Speed, decides to impress Helen Blake by also posing as a sprinter. Meanwhile, when Roberta Keap decides to retire to her Western ranch while awaiting her divorce, Speed, Helen and various friends accompany her while her husband Donald takes up residence at the neighboring Gallagher ranch. A rivalry springs up between the two ranches, and Helen persuades Speed to challenge the Keap homestead in a footrace. Matters become serious when Roberta and Mrs. Gallagher bet their entire holdings on the race. It begins to look ominous for the Keaps when their star sprinter develops a lame foot, thus placing the burden of winning on Speed. Miraculously, the intense competition of the race spurs Speed to win both his match and Helen's love, while also accomplishing the reconciliation of Donald and Roberta.

Dir: Bayard Veiller

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

John Duffey, lightweight champion of New York, knocks out Kid Reagan in a sensational bout but sustains a broken wrist and is ordered to rest for several months. Johnny visits Craigmoor, a fashionable summer resort, so as to pursue there a society girl, Constance Talbot, whom he has met by accident and who is unaware of his vocation. Mr. Talbot likes Johnny and has little use for Roy Van Twiller, his daughter's fiancé; Roy, however, recognizes Johnny and wires for his father, manager, and challenger to come establish his identity. But the trio are informed of the situation by Mr. Talbot and swear they have never seen Johnny. Johnny, to get even, knocks out Roy, breaking the injured hand; he then informs Constance that he is a roughneck, but she and her family happily accept him.

Dir: Edward Laemmle

A series of six two-reel episodes, each individually titled: #1: Let's Go (1922); #2: Round Two (1922); #3: Payment Through the Nose (1922); #4: A Fool and His Honey (1922); #5: The Taming of the Shrewd (1922); #6: Whipsawed.

Dir: Fred Niblo

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

A toreador's (Rudolph Valentino) familial and social life is threatened when he has an affair.

Dir: Harry A. Pollard

Kane is very much interested in a new sweetheart who is a professional skater. His old girl goes over to the enemy's camp and spurs on the rival by telling him that Kane insulted her. The fighter can hardly wait for the day set for the battle, but attacks Kane on the ice in Central Park. During the fight Kane is folded but refuses to accept the decision and goes on to a finish. He knocks out his opponent, but falls down from fatigue. The referee starts counting both fighters out, but reaching "nine" finds Kane recovered and upon his feet. The two girls then enter the ring and proceed to finish the battle.

Dir: King Baggot

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

Dirty work is afoot in old Kentucky when a rival decides that his horse will have a better chance of winning if the son of the owner isn't around, so he has him shanghaied onto a tramp freighter and gets the jockey in his debt through a crooked gambling game. Airplanes, ship-wrecks, sea storms, kidnapping, frame-up and much skullduggery prior to the race.

Dir: Unknown Director

On January 30, 1920, fans packed Madison Square Garden to see Stecher defeat Caddock

Dir: Walter West

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

A Lord's wife lends money to an ex-lover, who is framed for killing her husband, but it is all a dream.

Dir: George Beranger

Car racer Burn 'em Up Barnes, son of a wealthy manufacturer, leaves home to make his own way in the world. After being robbed by hoodlums, Barnes joins a group of hobos, who show him the carefree life.

Dir: Harry A. Pollard

The Leather Pushers were a charming series of eighteen 2-reel comedies based upon the story of a prize-fighter from the Colliers articles by H.C. Witwer. Each episode was self-contained and complete in itself. Formerly wealthy Kane Halliday (Reginald Denny) finds he must support himself with his fists in the ring after his father goes suddenly broke. A great mix of comedy and action set against the gritty world of the old New York boxing scene.