The Definitive Guide Deeply Connected to Langdon's Legacy: Cult Guide

Dir: Otis Turner

Newly wealthy Isidore Lechat lives in a castle in the south of France. He believes that business is the most important thing in life, but manages to stay attached to his children, although he believes that his wife's slovenly appearance detracts from his social position, so he doesn't let her go out in public. He begins an affair with Celeste, an acquaintance of his wastrel son Xavier. He believes that this may be the beginning of a new cycle of personal and business triumphs for him, but soon matters begin to take unexpected turns.

Dir: Otis Turner

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

With the help of futuristic technical inventions, a private detective investigates a bizarre murder case involving mysterious messages delivered in a small black box by the killer.

Dir: Otis Turner

Miriam Lee is a young woman in New York who works hard for a living. Her life changes when she meets Joe Valdez, a handsome and ruthless gambler. After the couple is married Valdez opens an elegant gambling house and uses Miriam, who is nicknamed "the queen of the night", as bait to attract rich and gambling customers.

Dir: Otis Turner

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Otis Turner

After a prologue which shows several aerial views of the Acropolis, the story begins. The friendship of Damon, the senator, and Pythias, the soldier, is famous in Ancient Syracuse. Because the general Dionysius is infatuated with Calanthe, Pythias' sweetheart, he sends the soldier to fight the Carthaginians at the Battle of Agrigentum. Pythias returns in triumph, and then angers Dionysius even further when he defeats Aristle, the general's favorite, in a chariot race. During the wedding ceremony for Pythias and Calanthe, Dionysius has himself proclaimed sovereign while Damon is absent from the Senate. Shocked, Damon attempts to assassinate Dionysius, but he fails and is sentenced to death. In order for Damon to say goodbye to his wife and son, Pythias leaves Calanthe and takes his friend's place in prison, offering to die in Damon's place if he does not return. Despite several tests of the strength of their friendship, they remain loyal to each other and so impress Dionysius that he allows them both Free.

Dir: Otis Turner

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

General Stampoff takes control in Kosnovia, and to insure his position as the country's strong man, he installs Prince Alexis Delgrade, the idle son of Prince Michael, as the titular ruler. Alexis surprises everyone, however, and shocks the reactionary Stampoff, by instituting a series of democratic reforms. However, his public success cannot make up for his personal problems, as Alexis is unable to marry his sweetheart, Joan Cameron, because she was born in America and thus could not reign as queen. Then, Alexis discovers that his mother came from Indiana, thereby making him as much an American as a Kosnovian, and also invalidating his claim to the throne. As a result, he abdicates and marries Joan, while Michael, vowing to maintain his son's democratic policies, takes over as king.

Dir: Otis Turner

Luke Simms is an honest politician: He is as charitable as he is honest and his greatest pleasure is found in giving excursions to the poor little ones of the slums. The nomination for mayor is refused by Franz Hargraves, on the score that he believes he would be expected to sign away the people's rights in favor of the Electric Company. Simms is nominated and finally elected, after declaring himself in favor of the people. Richard Sears, the leader of the corruptionists, presents a fraudulent bill to the mayor, who refuses to sign it. Sears then decides to get the ordinance passed by working on Simms' weak spot. Calling upon the mayor, Sears learns how the former's sweetheart was killed in trying to avoid running down a child while she was riding in an auto with him. Believing that he has found the mayor's weakness, that of his love of children; Sears returns home and tells his mistress, Florida Everett, that she must get acquainted with Simms and eventually marry him. Florida, a good woman at heart, longs for a decent, wholesome existence, and Sears tells her this is her chance to get it. Plans are laid to entrap Simms. The scheme works and Florida and Simms are married, and are living happily. Meanwhile Sears' stenographer, Nell, whom he has betrayed, gives birth to a child which dies a few days later. Under the assumption that he has now got the honest mayor in his power, Sears again presents the crooked ordinance, but again Simms refuses to sign it. The corruptionist then commands Florida to induce her husband to honor the measure, but she begs to be left alone. Sears threatens to expose her and she tries to get her husband to sign the bill, but he refuses. Learning of her failure, Sears sends her a telegram to meet him that night at Ardsleigh Towers, and signs it Ned Harter, who is secretary to the mayor and brother of Nell, the betrayed girl. Florida finds herself trapped, and she is kept there all night. When the mayor again refuses to sign the bill, Sears threatens to expose his wife. The corruptionist tells the mayor to find out where his wife spent the preceding night. Angered, Simms questions Florida closely, and in her anguish and fear, she begs him not to go to Sears. This decides him and he departs with vengeance in his heart. In the meantime Nell has returned to her brother. Ned drags the truth from her. He steals into Sears' home and, finding a revolver in a table drawer, extracts the cartridges and replaces the weapon, determined that his victim shall not have even a dog's chance. He secretes himself behind a curtain and hears Sears entering, and is about to shoot when the maid comes in. Simms calls and informs Sears to keep his wife's name out of their affairs. A fight starts, and just as Sears is about to stab Simms, who has the empty revolver pointed at the crook and who pulls the trigger, Ned fires unseen by the others and Sears is killed. Simms thinks he has killed him, and giving away to his grief, tries to revive Sears, and does not see the youth steal from the curtain, grab up the empty revolver and leave. Simms is arrested and indicted for murder in the first degree. Against his command, Florida takes the stand and bares her life. She relates how Sears deceived her when she was young and innocent, and of her continued bad life until she met her husband. The jury releases Simms, who, horrified at the thought of being a murderer, resolves to part from his wife, whom he reverences more than before. He does not consider himself worthy of her. Officer Ryan, ambitious for promotion, and suspecting Ned knows more than has been brought out, follows him and learns enough to make him suspicious. Simms has returned home and is preparing to leave. Officer Ryan follows Ned to Simms' house. Ned becomes alarmed and takes to the roof. Just as Simms is leaving, Ned rushes in, wounded and bleeding from the revolver of his pursuer, and confesses that he killed Sears. Ned dies and Florida and Luke are reunited.

Dir: Otis Turner

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

When the story opens Sylvia Lacey has been left an orphan. Her shiftless father, Sam Lacey, of artistic, but weak nature, left her without money. Her mother had died ten years before. The girl writes to her only remaining relatives, an aunt, Miss Martha Lacey, and her mother's brother. In his youth the Judge, Calvin Trent, wanted to marry Miss Martha, but they quarreled. When Sylvia's letter arrives, announcing that she will be in Boston the next day, both uncle and aunt are nonplussed. Neither wants the responsibility. Miss Martha finally decides to go and the Judge sends his young partner, John Dunham, in his place. Miss Martha waits with the young lawyer in the hotel parlor. Plainly she speaks her mind to John about the inconveniences of the girl's coming. Sylvia is already in the room and hears. She promptly refuses any aid from either relatives. Miss Martha is sorry, but it is too late. Dunham, however, goes back to the girl and forces her to accept a loan (of judge's money.) Back in the village, Miss Martha and the Judge both remember a cousin of the Judge's who manages the Judge's main farm. "Thinkright" is sent for and his white hair and kindly eyes soon win the girl to visit him. "Thinkright" once loved Sylvia's mother and is naturally drawn toward the girl. As she and "Thinkright" reach the Mill Farm near Portland, she sees the deserted old Tide Mill with all its shutters closed. Imaginative, she says then and always after, that the old mill is sorrowing and only love can open the shutters. Edna Derwent, a rich Boston girl, who owns a cottage on a nearby island, is a friend and disciple of "Thinkright's." He has taught her to be patient with the false social life which means so much to her mother. Each summer she comes to Hawk Island with Miss Lacey as chaperon. Sylvia becomes jealous of Edna and all her beauty, charm and wealth. "Thinkright" stops this trend of thought in the girl and after several severe tussles, turns her thoughts into the right road. She struggles bravely. Her uncle, penitent, arrives and promptly falls in love with this niece he has never seen before. She forgives him. The next day Miss Lacey arrives at Hawk Island with Edna. This forgiveness is harder, but Sylvia, strong in her new right thinking, manages it. She is invited to the Derwent cottage for a visit. John Dunham, an old friend of Edna's, comes for a visit and his fancy is quickly taken with the imaginative Sylvia whom he rescued in Boston the month before. Sylvia has a strong talent for painting. She has done some things with pencil, but longs for paint. She has no money and is too proud to ask any of her relatives. In her heart she adores John Dunham, but has held herself coldly toward him because she thought that he and Edna were engaged. Suddenly she discovers that he loves her. In her embarrassment she drops her book of sketches and "Thinkright'' finds pieces of brown paper covered with drawings, all showing much power and talent. Edna leagues Judge Trent in a plan, and Sylvia learns that she is to have lessons in painting. The winter passes. Sylvia is making rapid strides in her profession under Edna's special wing in Boston. Summer comes and she goes to the Mill Farm again for a visit. Walking alone on the edge of the basin, she sees the shutters of the Tide Mill have opened and the windows are gleaming brightly. Just then John Dunham appears and asks her to go with him to the Tide Mill. It is open. The first floor is vacant and so is the second. He asks her to go clear to the top and there she finds a luxuriantly appointed artist's studio. "Love opened the shutters," says John, "I bought the Mill and furnished this for my bride." The old story is told and the shutters of life open wide for the girl who learned to think right.

Dir: Otis Turner

Ruth and Lem Heck are orphans. Ruth is a nurse in a small town populated by a religious sect called "The Seekers." Their object is to seek those that are needy and administer to their needs. Ruth and Lem live with Rev. Hood. Lem is apprentice in a machine shop. Two crooks in the machine shop rob the village bank with Lem's tools, which they stole. Lem is accused and sentenced to jail for 15 years. After three years, Ruth laments the absence of her brother, whose health is failing. Rev. Timothy Hood heeds the call of another little village of the same sect to send them a nurse and sends Ruth. She arrives at the little village of Canaan Mountain and is met by Sheriff John Mount, the son of Rev. Israel Mount, with whom she is to live. One Sabbath a drunken brute is abusing his wife at the church door. John, trying to aid the wife, is about to be shot by the husband, when he is saved by Ruth. John and Ruth help the wife and gain her friendship. Later, the sheriff and Ruth become engaged. Lem, her brother, is shipped out of jail by an old convict who places him in a huge packing box which he is filling. Lem makes his escape from the baggage train and meets Ruth in the woods. A gossip sees them in each other's arms and spreads the news that Ruth is untrue to John, her betrothed. He refuses to believe the tales. Ruth hides Lem in the barn and continues to visit him at night. John starts to get suspicious. It happens that Ruth is compelled to borrow $50 from Rev. Mount and signs a note for it, promising to work off the debt. She goes to the barn and John follows her and sees her give Lem the money. He confronts them, and Ruth tells the truth. They plead for liberty, but John's sense of duty is greater, and he starts to take Lem back. The men fight, and, as John is about to overpower Lem, Ruth strikes him over the head with an iron chain, knocking him unconscious. Ruth helps her brother to escape, and when she returns to the barn she finds it in flames. She rescues John, who tells the crowd of villagers who have gathered that he knocked the lamp over by accident. Several months pass. Ruth works off the debt, and the lovers are estranged. The customary time arrives to send a young couple to another part of the mountains to populate a new settlement. The couple are chosen by lottery. John is the young man chosen and Rev. Mount realizes that Ruth and John are torn with anxiety as to who will be the chosen wife. When the day comes, the maidens cast their names in the box, and the Rev. Mount so fixes the lottery that Ruth's slip is picked. In a big city Lem is at work in a printing shop. At every sound he starts guiltily, thinking that someone will arrest him. A man rushes in with a slip of paper and tells Lem to rush it out in type for the next edition. Lem reads the paper, and it is an account of his acquittal and the full confession of the two crooks who robbed the bank. The State has pardoned his escape and only want news of his whereabouts. Lem is happy that he is finally free. Ruth and John continue on their way over the mountains in the old buggy.

Dir: Otis Turner

Willie O'Donovan, grandson of Cormack O'Donovan, a retired millionaire contractor, is regarded by his parents as more of a nuisance than an asset. Mr. O'Donovan, Willie's father, is actively engaged in business, while his wife is an enthusiastic aspirant for social recognition. The grandfather, coming to the O'Donovans' home for dinner, enters to find that he has interrupted a domestic row. The grandfather, disliking to have Willie brought up in such an atmosphere, persuades the parents to let him send the boy away to a boarding school. Willie arrives on the school grounds and is made miserable by Peters, one of the other boys. Peters is in love with Mary, a pretty country girl. Willie receives word from Baden Baden, where grandfather had gone for his health, announcing his death. The will he has left with his valet bequeaths his entire fortune to Willie, but naming the person with whom he is living on his eighteenth birthday as the custodian of the fortune until Willie has reached his majority. Willie's parents are overjoyed when they hear of the news. O'Donovan has been losing money rapidly in his business and finds Willie's fortune a necessity. Since the grandfather's departure for Europe they have entered suit for divorce which complicates matters. Each of them decides to beat the other to the possession of the boy before he reaches his eighteenth year. Each of them writes to him to come to them. Willie refuses to have anything to do with them, so each hires a detective to get him. Clews, the father's detective, captures him, but Willie succeeds in giving the detective the impression that he is not Willie. That night Clews breaks into the dormitory, and following directions given him by Willie, gets another boy whom he takes back to the city to the waiting father. Willie's father is enraged at the detective's mistake and orders him back to get the boy. Returning to the school grounds he and Ketchum, the rival detectives, are pitted against each other. But Willie is too clever for them, and evades the detectives each time they plan to get him. School ends and Willie goes to live at Mary's home in the country. But the villains still pursue him. While he and Mary are fishing, Clews manages to capture him and take him back to his waiting auto. Ketchum, however, in the meantime, has learned that Clews is ahead of him. He hurries to the village constable and enlists his aid, insisting that a kidnapping is about to be pulled off. And so, when Clews arrives at the machine he is met by the posse and is arrested. In the confusion, however, Ketchum gets Willie on board a train and starts with him for New York. Ten miles out of town Willie escapes. En route, he runs into a gang of hobos who take his money and clothes. Willie is then forced to hide his nakedness in a sack. O'Donovan gets Clews out of jail and they start for town when they see Willie returning in his sack. They give chase, but Willie beats them to the gardener's cottage, where he gets a suit of clothes and starts for the church where he is to meet Mary. They trail him there and capture him again. Willie, who is wearing the gardener's clothes, begs for permission to return to Mary's for his own clothes. They hurry there and are met at the house by Mrs. O'Donovan, Ketchum, Mary and her mother. When Mary's mother refuses to let either party take the boy without a warrant, they rush off to get said warrants from the town justice of the peace. While they are gone Willie escapes through the window and they return to find him gone. The next day Willie is eighteen, and since he is living with neither of them, the money is to go to charity. They go to the attorney's office to hear the settlement of the will. One minute before the appointed hour, in walks Mary and demands the money. The parents are indignant until she informs them that Willie is living with her. Mother is about to faint when in walks Willie and announces that they are married and on their way to Europe on a honeymoon. The parents make up and decide to forget the divorce.