Masterpiece Selection that Capture the Essence of Lash of the Whip:...

Dir: Francis Ford

Ralph Avery and Robert Young, who are partners in a munitions factory, are both in love with Molly Carson. When the government investigates their company for stealing secret wartime plans, Ralph hides the evidence in Robert's desk, which leads to his conviction for treason and a twenty-year prison sentence. While Robert is incarcerated, Ralph steals one of Robert's formulas and becomes wealthy. He also marries Molly, who gives birth to a daughter named Lucille. As a grown woman, Lucille learns what her father has done from her mother, whose dying wish is that Lucille make amends to Robert, who eventually is able to take the formula to Europe to aid in the war effort.

Dir: Wilfred Lucas

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

Brian O'Farrell (Snowy Baker), is an English 'new chum' who takes a job at an Australian cattle station. He is teased by station hands because of his appearance (including spats and a monocle) but he soon impresses them with his skills at riding and boxing. The station manager, John MacDonald (Wilfred Lucas), takes O'Farrell to Sydney to meet his daughter Edith (Kathleen Key) who is working in the slums. Edith is kidnapped by criminals after witnessing a crime but O'Farrell rescues her. It is later revealed he is the owner of the station.

Dir: Francis Ford

Clay Norton and Duke Fuller are partners in a mining venture and have several claims, none of which have proved particularly successfully but do have promise. They are both in love with Agnes, and Clay wins her hand. While he is away in a nearby town to buy a wedding ring, Jim Butts, who has the territory's best mine, dies and Duke jumps his claim and sells it for $10,000, and the widow Butts is left penniless. When Clay, on his return, finds out what Duke has done, he demands his partnership share of $5,000 and tells Duke that they should see the widow and give her the money to go East so she will cause them no trouble. They visit her together and Clay tells her he will give her $5,000 and forces Duke to do the same. Overcome with the shock of the good fortune, the widow faints, and Duke, furious at being tricked, rushes from the cabin and meets Agnes, who is on her way to meet Clay. He takes her to the door of the cabin where she sees the widow Butts in the arms of her sweetheart. Misunderstanding the situation and being told by Duke that Clay is unfaithful to her, she breaks off their engagement.

Dir: Alexander Butler

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

In Alberta, Canada, a Cornish emigrant unmasks a rustler posing as the girl's "blind" father.

Dir: Edgar Jones

A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.

Dir: Edward LeSaint

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

When famous opera singer Elinore Duane undergoes an operation on her throat, she has a series of ether-induced visions. In one, she is transported to ancient Rome where she appears as a much-admired woman in love with Paul, a young heretic, and at odds with Lutor, the high priest. To save her love, she poisons Lutor with her ring. After several other visions which involve variations on this love triangle, Elinore awakens to discover that Lutor is actually her doctor, Sascha Jaccard, and that Paul is the son of a friend who has come to visit the recovering prima donna.

Dir: Francis Ford

Phil Kelly, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, serves as an American spy during World War I unknown to his mother, fiancée Rose Lockely and friends, who sadly question his loyalty when he fails to enlist. German agents Karl Shamme and John Harris invite Phil to a secret meeting, where he learns of German plans to sink several Allied transports. Phil saves the transports and then is sent to Germany posing as a German aviator. After flying over American lines to warn the Allies of an impending large-scale German offensive, Phil is discovered by Shamme and sentenced to death. Shortly before he is to be shot, Americans bombard the area where he is imprisoned. Although injured in the battle, he is rescued and nursed back to health by Rose.

Dir: Francis Ford

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

Frederick Fielding secretly marries his neighbor, Marguerite Quinn, and gives her his signet ring, even though her mother and father are enemies of his parents. The young groom then travels to the coral-rich island of Crimson Shoals, which is owned by his father, Thomas. Years later, Frederick, a prosperous owner of the island, grieves upon learning his wife has died, but is soon preoccupied with the theft of its coral reserves. Suspecting foreman Jack Quinn, Frederick and Thomas sail for the island. Helen, a member of Frederick's crew, falls in love with Jack and discovers that Rex Burke, the company auditor, is responsible for the theft. After a series of adventures and fights, Jack drops a charge of dynamite from an airplane, destroying the submarine Rex used to steal the coral. Frederick notices that Jack is wearing Marguerite's signet ring, and realizes that they are father and son, enabling Jack and Helen to continue their romance.

Dir: Francis Ford

While waiting in a hotel lobby for instructions from his government, Ludwig Schumann, an agent of the Black Legion, is enchanted by Marion Washburn, the daughter of a Texas senator. As he is about to speak to the girl, Schumann is stunned to see a young American enter who could be his double. The American is James Walbert, whom Schumann's contact mistakes for the agent. The contact passes to Walbert a photograph of a woman spy, Wanda Bartell, whom the agent is to meet aboard a steamer. Walbert realizes the mistake and determines to protect his country. After overpowering Schumann, Walbert rushes to the steamer where he meets Wanda. Also aboard are Marion and her fiancé, Herbert Cornell, a Washington fop who is trying to prove his earnestness by transporting secret plans to New York. Arriving in New York, Wanda and Walbert report to the Black Legion headquarters where they are instructed to procure Cornell's plans. Wanda succeeds in drugging Cornell, but Walbert intervenes, seizes the plans and returns to headquarters, intent upon smashing the organization. He is greeted by Schumann, who has exposed the spy, and is hopelessly outnumbered until the police arrive, having been summoned by Marion.

Dir: Francis Ford

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.