Masterpiece Selection that Capture the Essence of Love in the Dark:...

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Engaged to the wealthy Freddy Ruyter, Barbara Wright favors her father's handsome Irish chauffeur, Dan Murray, and marries him. The newlyweds struggle to survive on Dan's meager income, but Barbara's father, furious with them both, nearly destroys their happiness by securing Dan's dismissal from several jobs. Dan wins $300 in an auto race but immediately gives it to Minnie Molloy, whose ailing husband has been ordered West for his health. Unaware of the reason for Dan's actions, Barbara sadly returns to her triumphant father. Mr. Wright's lawyer offers Dan a large sum of money to have the marriage annulled, and when Dan refuses, the lawyer discovers the truth about his "other woman." Touched by Dan's generosity, Mr. Wright accepts him into the family, and Barbara happily returns to her husband.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Filling His Own Shoes perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Finding himself broke and out of a job in Paris, American William Ruggles joins the Turkish army and is sent to fight in its war in the Balkans. During a particularly hard-fought battle, he rescues a wounded Turkish soldier. Before he dies the Turk, out of gratitude, leaves William his fortune--but with the proviso that he take care of the Turk's three beautiful young wards. After he leaves the army, William and the three young girls--Roxana, Rosa and Bulbul--move to Paris, where William meets up with young Ruth Downing, the daughter of his former employer. They fall in love, but Roxana--who is also in love with William--is determined that nothing will stand in the way of her getting him and she will do whatever it takes to achieve that end.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

A struggling young composer of genius completes a masterpiece score for an opera, only to have it stolen by a less talented composer who rises to great success with it.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

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

When the wild Bohemian life style of Greenwich Village has destroyed successful novelist Tom Blake's ability to write, his publisher refuses to advance him more money until he forsakes that environment. A friend of Tom's arranges for him to become the boarder of her Southern friend Eugenia, a fledgling writer inspired by Tom's first novel, so he can find the quiet he needs for work. Using an assumed name, Tom is introduced to Eugenia's proud, aristocratic grandmother as a guest, since she would never condescend to taking in boarders. Toby, the Black servant, defers to Tom, but does not give him the elaborate, courtly bow he reserves for family members. After Tom helps turn Eugenia's poor manuscript into a novel by virtually rewriting it himself, the book's success allows Eugenia to pay the estate's mortgage, but, when she learns Tom's identity, she furiously declares that she wants no charity. After experiencing Greenwich Village however, Eugenia returns, forgives Tom, and they marry. Tom then receives his long-awaited bow from Toby.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

A police patrolman must overcome enormous odds, including the apprehension of two villainous characters, before he can marry the girl of his dreams, the daughter of a millionaire.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

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

William Skinner is very pleased with the news his wife Honey is expecting their first child. He eagerly prepares for the new arrival, as he is sure it will be the next William Skinner Jr. When the bundle of joy finally arrives, much to his surprise, it's a girl. However, Honey and William are just as happy as if she were a he.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Having followed the road of romance through many countries, Lord Quex finally falls in love with Muriel Eden. After resisting Lord Quex because of his reputation, Muriel finally capitulates to his charms and agrees to marry him. In her heart, however, Muriel still treasures an affection for Caption Bastling, a fortune hunting womanizer, and when Muriel is told of Lord Quex's continuing contact with the Duchess of Dowager, a situation brought about through the scheming of the Duchess, Muriel turns to Bastling and agrees to meet him at her friend Sophie Fullgarney's manicurist shop. There, Sophie, who has discovered Bastling's true nature, exposes the captain by flirting with him as Muriel arrives for her rendezvous. Seeing Bastling faithlessness makes Muriel realize that Quex is the man for her.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

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

Beneath the moonlight of the southern skies Molly Carrington, daughter of the south, pledges her heart and hand to "Jimmie" Maxwell on the eve of the young man's departure to New York, where his knowledge or cotton has won him a good position in a cotton broker's office. They are married and depart for the metropolis. Due to Maxwell's transition from his calm and uneventful home life to the maelstrom of worldly battle, he succumbs to liquor's lure, and from a stalwart husband is dragged to the depths or Demon Rum's depravity. He loses his position and Molly leaves him, returning to her southern home. As a "down-and-outer" Maxwell sees in a Mobile paper a rumor that his wife plans to divorce him and marry his former rival. Alfred Lewis. His smoldering love for Molly flares up to expose vividly the curse which drink has placed upon him. Maxwell throws off his alcoholic yoke, becomes a man again, and wins back his position. He finds Molly waiting for him the first day he enters the office.

Dir: Bruno Ziener

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

DR. John Lancaster lives in dread of a family secret from his past being exposed, and makes him act in irrational ways, even with his fiancée Joan Wentworth.