Top-Tier Alternatives Exploring the Legacy of Lonesome Hearts and Loose Lions: Cult Guide

Dir: William Watson

Nervy Ned is appointed chief of police, and then the troubles begin.

Dir: William Watson

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of A Lucky Dog's Day perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Mr. Newlywed was a pleasant sight for sore eyes. He was hurrying home to his own wifie. Ye Gods. what a strange sight. He was in such a hurry that Motor Mike, the Cop could not keep up with him. The cause of all this rush was the prettiest, dimpliest little wifie you have ever seen, and she had the cutest dog, who did all kinds of tricks. The, only thing that marred their happiness was the fact that their Landlord was their next door neighbor. Mrs. Landlord was a domineering factor in the whole house. Her poor husband and cat had to shimmy the way she jazzed. The Newlyweds' dog and the Landlords' cat were friendly enemies. The dog chases the cat into Mrs. Newlywed's apartment, and the poor cat seeks shelter under her bed. Mr. Landlord was very fond of his cat and therefore followed the cat under the bed. Just then, Mr. Newlywed rushed into his house to escape the Cop. Mrs. Newlywed does some antics in trying to hide the Landlord under the bed. Her husband thinks she has gone crazy and tells her to help him hold the door shut so that the Cop won't get in. She gets up, and lo and behold there is Mr. Landlord as big as life. A general melee ensues where the Newlyweds and the Landlords have a terrible scrap. The Newlyweds beat up the Landlords and leave their house. When the Landlords regain consciousness, they vow vengeance. The Newlyweds are now comfortably settled in their "Dollar down and a dollar when you catch me bungalow." Their off-spring, Brownie, helps wifie in the kitchen, and hubby in the garden. He performs some of the most wonderful tricks that have ever before been seen on the screen. Their happiness is only short-lived, for the Landlords are on the job. While they slumber sweetly at night, the Landlords attach the bungalow to a horse and drive the bungalow into the ocean. The Newlyweds awaken in mid-ocean. They put a note in Brownie's collar. He swims ashore and gets the fire boat. In the meantime the villains are on shore and glorying in their sweet revenge. The lamp in the bungalow over-turns and a fire is started. The Newlyweds climb to the roof and are rescued by the fire boat where they fade out happily.

Dir: William Watson

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: William Watson

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Daring Lions and Dizzy Lovers perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Walking along some country roads is a hazardous undertaking, a fact which Nervy Ned and his valet had brought to their attention very forcibly when a horse and carriage careened past them at the rate of about forty per. They just escaped by the skin of their teeth and, quite naturally followed the subsequent course of the vehicle as far as their eyes would permit. That, however, was far enough for the carriage drove in through the gate of a magnificent estate and stopped. The next thing the two "companions of the road" saw was a beautiful girl being carried, against her will, from the carriage. Being gentlemen they immediately went to her assistance. By tying a rope to the axle of the carriage and also the the villain's leg and giving the horse a none too gentle hint that it was time to move on they managed to get rid of the first obstacle in their path. The girl promptly fainted in Ned's arms and so with instructions to his valet to prepare the way he carried her into the house. What was there to greet them was not revealed to them until they had selected suitable clothing from a convenient wardrobe. Then they met them, while searching for water to revive the girl. Five or six skeletons. Frightened, they ran and were chased. Chased from room to room, until every room in the house had been covered. Then papa arrives with the police and the "skeletons" are captured. The girl relates the bravery of her hero to papa who offers monetary reward. Ned refuses, much to the disgust of his hungry valet, being satisfied with the beautiful smile the girl gave him. Nervy Ned says "Live in a box car and you'll have no family skeletons."

Dir: William Watson

Nervy Ned and his valet go into the car-parking business, then rent out the cars to others. They are caught by one of their victims and punished in an apple-shooting contest after the manner of William Tell's son.

Dir: William Watson

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

After fleecing a group of people by pretending to repair their broken fountain pens, Ned and his valet seek refuge from the angry mob in a museum. They hide in a couple of empty mummy cases--which are soon taken out and moved to a lab where a group of scientists hook them up to electrical equipment with the intent of bringing the "mummies" back to life!

Dir: William Watson

The benefactor who made her father millions demands her hand in marriage as part of the bargain, but the daughter has her own sweetheart, who rushes to get a marriage license.

Dir: William Watson

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Should William Tell? perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Illustrating the difference between doing good and doing one's friends in burlesque style, it shows that after many attempts in which the hero is "crowned" with success, he finally does something good for himself instead of being "done" good, by others.

Dir: William Watson

A lady and her husband are employed by a theatrical agent, when the lady falls heir to the estate of a circus owner. The estate proves to be a troupe of lions, who create considerable trouble from the moment they arrive in the house.

Dir: William Watson

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.