The Essential Watchlist Similar Cinematic Experiences to Laws and Outlaws: Cult Guide

Dir: J.A. Howe

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.A. Howe

The beginning of a perfect day was for Phil to make his own breakfast, take his daily plunge, and be waited on by his valet, who happens to be Brownie the dog. Outside of being a gentleman, Phil was also a dancing professor and taught pretty young ladies how to twinkle their toes. Across the hall from him lived a modiste and her daughter. The daughter was pretty and that's where the story becomes interesting. A pretty girl, a next door neighbor and strict mother all go to make a very deliciously naughty situation. They are about to elope when mother returns and finds her daughter leaving home. She scolds her, and in the rush to get her into her apartment, leaves her grip outside in the hall. Phil grabs his grip and runs back into his room. In the meantime an ex-jail bird has managed to get away with a grip full of jewels; However, the police are right on his heels and chase him into the same house where Phil and the girl live. He rushes up into the hall where he sees the other grip, changes the grips and when the officer gets up to him and searches the grip, all he finds is a collar. The mother realizes the loss of her daughter's grip, goes out into the hall and takes the grip. A general mix-up of grips follows wherein some very funny incidents occur. After a very daring roof chase, the thief is caught and thrown back into prison. Mother forgives the professor and the finis fade out leaves every one in a happy contented mood.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of All for the Dough Bag perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: J.A. Howe

Old man Hardscratch, the village nickel-nurser, a hard-hearted mortgage taxer, gives notice to the heroine and her people that unless they pay, he will put them into the street. The girl appeals to Jim for help, Strongarm, the blacksmith, brings Jim to his shop as his apprentice, Strongarm receives a present from his partner Gideon, with a letter, - the trained monkey, Minnie, Minnie gives Strongarm and Jim a chase about - while she sits on the roof of the shop and watches them, Strongarm leaves the shop in Jim's care - and during his absence Jim "shoes" a horse and receives two dollars from the owner for his work. With this money he buys milk for the hungry baby, the old man Hardscratch having refused to give it to the girl. The mean old man Hardscratch, while taking something from his pocket, accidentally drops a roll of bills, which Minnie finds and brings to Jim. There is much comedy business between Minnie and Jim. In the end, Jim has won the gratitude of the girl and her people by using this money to pay Hardscratch and chase him from the house.

Dir: J.A. Howe

Paul, in the role of a man new at the business, undertakes to wire a house for all kinds of electric devices, with laughable results.

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

Dir: J.A. Howe

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.A. Howe

Monty and Rock, at the beach, meet many girls, but fight over the one girl, and seek the aid of a movie press agent, to settle the dispute, but instead of helping he tells them she belongs to his company. He appoints them both judges of the baby parade, and tells them whom he wants to win; and at the parade, which is the big event of the season, they award it to the one the judge wanted even though the vote is for another. The people chase them, and after much chasing they come upon the agent and the actress, and ask who wins the girl. The agent tells them that the policeman wins the girl. And hands her over to him. The boys disguise themselves to fool the cops, come upon the movie company and try several different times to get admitted, but each time they are barred out. Hearing the director ask for two messengers, the two disguise them selves as such, but again arrive too late. In their effort to get in they are again defeated, but receive a telegram to be delivered which they read, finding that two French comedians are detained. They dress up as the French actors, and arrive at the studio, where they are greeted with much ceremony, They are talking when the two real French actors arrive. After the confusion and chasing, in which the two manage by many tricks and jumps to elude the pursuers, they find the manager willing to make a contract with them to act in comedies. They accept. Finis.

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

Dir: J.A. Howe

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.A. Howe

At the Come On Inn, Jimmy, the waiter, is sweet on Mlle. Twinkletoes. The manager interferes, and Jimmy leads him to believe that it was all part of the act, his loving Mlle. Twinkletoes. I.M. Ruff, warden of the jail, arrives with two of the Ruff family - and Jimmy is assigned to attend him. Through much carelessness and vengeance, Jimmy is finally forced to apologize to the warden. While he is doing so, the Count De Razzbury, picks the warden's pocket book from his pocket, and then, fearing detection, slips it into Jimmy's pocket. Jimmy is arrested - his explanations scoffed at. He is taken to prison. Mr. Ruff and his wife plan a reception, and Mlle. Twinkletoes is hired for the occasion. Count De Razzbury, the guest of honor, accepts the invitation, much to Miss Ruff's steady company's jealousy. While the warden is taking his morning exercise with the convicts, Jimmy manages by a ruse to escape, meets "the steady company" who invites him to take the place of the distinguished guest, and Jimmy does so. Upon being presented to Mr. Ruff, Jimmy receives reminders of the Hoosegow, and the warden suspects but is not sure, and later, when Jimmy's disguise ''slips" he recognizes his naked face. Mlle. Twinkletoes confesses to Jimmy's innocence - and Ruff believing, promises a $1000 could he but right the wrong. Jimmy , although badly beaten after his encounter with Ruff, comes to, and grabs the money before Buff can take back is offer.

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

Dir: J.A. Howe

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.A. Howe

Jitney bus drivers are stealing business from the streetcar franchise, and work to sabotage the streetcar owner. The streetcar driver and company owner's daughter work together to save the business from ruin.