Hidden Genre Gems for Fans of Lying Wives: Cult Guide

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After becoming a Supreme Court justice, Peter Graham is visited by Olive Martin, a singer from New Orleans, Louisiana, with whom he had an affair in his youth. Although Peter has been sending money to maintain Olive's silence and to support their son, she now sees an opportunity to join high society, and demands that Peter divorce his wife to marry her. Meanwhile, in Boston, Massachusetts, Olive's son, Harold, becomes engaged to Peter's daughter, Anita, but the young lovers are soon devastated by the news that they were both sired by the same man. Olive's dissolute brother-in-law, Thomas Donald, finds Peter on the brink of suicide and reveals that he is Harold's father. Thomas goes on to explain that Olive adopted the boy as a means to blackmail Peter. Harold and Anita marry, while Peter confesses to his wife and Olive leaves town.

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

Rhoda Cortlandt, daughter of Theodore Cortlandt, a millionaire who is interested in charity, is beloved by Webster, son of Madeline Stuyvesant, a philanthropist who is Cortlandt's competitor. Burton Woodrow, employed by Cortlandt in order to send his consumptive mother to Colorado, steals $250 from his employer. He is detected and sent to prison for a year. Clarice Lee, a thief, is beloved by Chicago Jim, a gang leader. Mrs. Stuyvesant and Rhoda are visiting a poor family residing in the apartment adjacent to Clarice's. Chicago Jim discovers Clarice in the arms of Pugsy, a member of his gang, and beats her. Her cries reach Rhoda and Mrs. Stuyvesant, who go to her rescue. Jim escapes. Clarice, to work upon the sympathies of Mrs. Stuyvesant, declares that Jim beat her because she would not steal for him. Mrs. Stuyvesant takes Clarice to her home. Cortlandt, believing that Mrs. Stuyvesant has procured a million dollar contract through bribery, calls her a trickster in Webster's presence; he defends his mother. A quarrel ensues. Cortlandt orders Webster from his home. Clarice while in the home becomes infatuated with Webster, who ignores her. Hearing of his love for Rhoda, she persuades Pugsy, her admirer, to lure Rhoda to his room for the purpose of degrading her. Pugsy entices and attempts to assault her there. Rhoda, defending herself, is severely wounded and suffers great loss of blood. At the hospital to which she is taken the doctors declare that only a transfusion of blood will save her life. Webster, hearing of Rhoda's condition, offers his blood. The offer is refused by the stubborn and angry Cortlandt, who orders the doctors to advertise and offer $500 for the necessary blood. Burton, released from prison, unable to secure employment, reads the advertisement and applies at the hospital, where after a rest he is accepted and a quantity of his blood is transfused to Rhoda's veins. Before his discharge from the hospital Burton learns that the recipient of his blood is the daughter of the man who sent him to prison. Cortlandt and the Stuyvesants become reconciled. Burton in the presence of Rhoda offers to return to Cortlandt the money he stole. Rhoda prevents her father from accepting it, and insists that he re-employ Burton. Cortlandt grants Rhoda's wish. Mrs. Stuyvesant gives a reception in celebration of Rhoda's recovery, during which the engagement of Webster and Rhoda is announced. Rhoda is horrified by constantly recurring visions of Burton. Wherever she goes Burton appears before her, whatever she does recalls him to her mind. His vision constantly calls to her. She struggles against the thought, but realizes that with the blood given her by Burton has come love. Unable to restrain the call of his blood she surrenders herself to it and telephones asking him to visit her. He does so, and she confesses her love for him. Burton tells her that he loved her long before he was sent to prison, but that his past is a shadow that will darken her future. Rhoda pleads with Burton and declares that his shadow will fade in the warmth of her love. That evening Webster finds Rhoda in Burton's arms, and is horrified. Rhoda returns the engagement ring to Webster, telling him, "Condemn me if you will, Burton gave me blood, and with it came love." Webster, realizing the power of true love, sacrifices his own love for Rhoda's sake and takes back the returned engagement ring. Cortlandt enters the scene, learns the truth. He is shocked and in great excitement denounces and orders Burton from his house. Webster tells Cortlandt that his stubbornness of not permitting him to give his blood caused it all. He pleads and moves Cortlandt to consent to the marriage of his daughter to the man he sent to prison.

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Elga Pulaski and her brother Ossip live in Warsaw. They belong to a secret society whose goal is to liberate Poland and Russia from the Romanoffs. Elga is loved by Baron Jan Slozek. But Slozek is a spy who has Ossip and other members of the society arrested. When Slozek is slain, Ossip is the key suspect. He escapes to America with his sister. There, Elga meets Norman Hutchinson, and marries him without telling him her past. When Hutchinson learns the truth, he leaves Elga. Eventually, when Elga appeals to him, he sees the light.

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

A story of the difference in fate of two young girls caused by the difference in their home lives and training. This shows vividly the criminal folly of allowing a girl to reach womanhood without knowledge of certain facts essential to her welfare and happiness. A worse-than-foolish mother keeps her daughter in ignorance. In her efforts to avoid the consequences which follow, she places the girl in the hands of an unscrupulous doctor with whom she is in partnership.

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Blanche Scott, a famous actress married to rich lawyer Martin Scott, is living happily in New York, but her cousin Elsie is married to Frank Edmonds, a performer who mars her happiness through infidelity. Blanche invites Elsie to stay with her, and induces her husband to procure a divorce for Elsie. Blanche's blind grandfather George Moore lives with them. Previous to her marriage to Scott, Blanche met with an automobile accident in which both of her parents were killed, and from the shock she became mentally deranged, but shortly afterward recovered. At the birth of Blanche's first child Viola, her attack of insanity returns. Physicians declare her case hopeless, and she is confined to an asylum. Her cousin Elsie adopts Viola. Two years elapse and Blanche is still at the asylum. Meanwhile, Elsie has secured a divorce from her husband. During this time Scott makes advances to Elsie, but is repulsed. Scott's love for Elsie prompts him to bring suit for an annulment of his marriage to Blanche on the ground of her being insane prior to his marriage, and he succeeds in having his marriage annulled. Blanche, in her hallucinations, raves both of her child and of her past successes on the stage, and very often sees herself playing her favorite roles of various classic plays, in which she starred. Scott, assuring Elsie that Blanche's condition is hopeless, is successful in winning Elsie's love, and in due course of time, they are married. A year later Elsie gives birth to a boy. All are overjoyed, except the blind grandfather, who still lives with Scott. The moral wrong, though legally done to his grandchild Blanche rends his heart with sorrow. Six years later: All are living happily, having forgotten the past. One day Scott receives a letter from the superintendent of the asylum, notifying him that Blanche has unexpectedly recovered and is in a condition to be taken home. Scott shows the letter to Elsie, who insists that he bring Blanche back. Scott refuses, but Elsie fervently pleads with her husband to gratify her wish. He still remains obdurate. Moore, overhearing Elsie's plea, cautions Scott not to tell anything to Blanche for the time being, as it may cause a relapse. Scott, convinced by the prudent advice of the blind old man and Elsie's pathetic appeal, finally yields and brings Blanche home. Blanche's joy upon her return is somewhat dampened by her former husband's coolness. She suspects that there is some secret in the house, and questions Scott, Elsie, her grandfather, and the servants, but gets no satisfactory reply. Baffled in her efforts she at last questions her own eight-year-old daughter Viola, who tells her the truth. Elsie, wishing to sacrifice her own happiness for Blanche, decides to go away with her child, Eddie, but Blanche, realizing that she cannot live under the same roof with her former husband, prevents Elsie from leaving. The ex-wife then seizes a knife near at hand and attempts to cut her throat, but is prevented by Scott and Elsie. The furious rage and wild excitement again disturb her mental balance, and she is pronounced incurably insane. Blanche, while being led to the ambulance, wildly calls for Viola. Moore, sunk in unutterable grief, goes to her, but his suffering is beyond human endurance. He is overcome by his emotions, stricken with heart failure and dies. Blanche, seeing him fall, breaks loose from the physicians and rushes madly to the prostrate form of her grandfather, kneels over him, imagines that she performs the scene of La Tosca, where she kills the Baron and laughs hysterically.

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

Elderly millionaire widower Wilbur Mason, father of only child Anne, proposes to his stenographer Lillian Hill, who accepts him because he declares that he will devote his fortune to restoring her blind mother's sight. In the presence of struggling playwright Henry Parker, Lillian introduces Mason to her mother as her future husband. Parker, who thinks himself in love with Lillian, imagines that his heart is broken. After the Masons' honeymoon, Mason engaged a renowned specialist whose operation on Mrs. Hill is unsuccessful. Lillian now sadly realizes that her sacrifice was in vain and becomes cold towards Mason. Two years later Lillian and Anne meet Parker, of whose great success they have read. Parker and Anne fall in love; at Anne's suggestion, Lillian invites him to call on them. He does, hoping to see Anne, but finds Lillian alone. She gives him a rose from among those Mason plucked for her that morning because he knew she loved them. Mason, unseen, sees this gesture and concludes that Lillian's love for Parker is the cause of her indifference toward him. His jealous rage becomes ungovernable and he makes his presence known and orders Parker from the house after tearing from the latter's coat the rose Lillian gave him. Mason thereafter repeatedly charges Lillian with being false to him and in love with Parker. Parker meeting Anne, accompanies her to the gateway of her home, where she leaves him. Mason discovering him there alone believes that Parker has clandestinely met Lillian, whom he later upbraids, again thrusting the rose before her. Lillian, as the result of Mason's accusations, becomes grief stricken and ill. Despondent she leaves her husband's home and returns to her mother where she fades like roses in the autumn winds. Mrs. Hill, fearing for her daughter's life, goes to Mason who is moved by her heart-broken and anguished appeal. He accompanies her, repentant and remorseful, to Lillian's bedside which he reaches in time to receive with her expiring breath the pardon for which he pleads and to hear the doctor pronounce her dead. Crazed with sorrow, scarcely hearing the doctor's words, Mason is about to lift the coverlet from Lillian's face when he is stricken with paralysis. Later at his home he weeps in secret at sight of the now-faded rose which to him has become a symbol of Lillian. Repenting his mistake, he bids Anne send for Parker and consents to their marriage. Troubled by his conscience, Mason's overwhelming woe permits him no rest, and he goes at dead of night to Lillian's burial place, carrying with him roses which in life she so dearly loved, which he tenderly places over her dust. "Lillian, my faded flower," he cries, "you died a martyr to my unfounded jealousy. May your soul find peace in the Kingdom of Heaven."

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Victor Gilmore, a composer, is in love with his father Cyrus' secretary Dorothy Eldridge, but Dorothy marries his brother Robert, even though a doctor has told them that Robert can never father children. Dorothy, however, has never lost her hope to have children, and doesn't know that Robert is secretly supporting his former lover Flo Merrivale. The brothers' father eventually dies but leaves his estate to Robert, saying that he didn't believe that Victor was his son. This causes a huge rift between the brothers and a fight ensues, resulting in Victor's being thrown out of the house and family. Complications ensue.

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

Despite the pleading of his wife Marion and his little daughter Vivian, Raymond Edwardes intensifies his affair with a charming adventuress named Lucille Stanton. Marion attends a reception with Frederick Barton one evening, leaving Raymond free to visit Lucille and leaving Raymond's younger sister Alice alone in the house. Bob Gardner, who is engaged to Raymond's elder sister Florence, rapes Alice, and that same evening, Raymond finds Frederick in Lucille's room. Realizing the great pain he has caused his wife, Raymond asks for Marion's forgiveness. Bob is killed in a fight with Frederick, whereupon his brother, Dick Gardner, offers to marry Alice to atone for Bob's wrong.

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Retired banker Daniel Morgan lives with his wife Paula and their daughter June, who is married to experimental scientist John Lansing. June gives birth to a daughter while Paula is on her deathbed; Paula's last wish is that her granddaughter be named for her and that Daniel present her $50,000 necklace to the girl on her wedding day. Morgan promises to carry out her wish. She dies. For five years, Morgan finds consolation in faithful devotion to the welfare of his daughter and her family. One day he takes them to Atlantic City for a rest. There, induced by June, Morgan visits Maxine, a clairvoyant, who predicts tor him a second marriage to a young woman "who will make his life an earthly paradise." Morgan succumbs to the clairvoyant's wiles, and the next day June finds her father in Maxine's company. Meanwhile, June's husband meets with an accident in New York and June returns to him; Morgan stays in Atlantic City, stating that he has an important "business engagement"--and marries Maxine. Two days later, he brings his wife home. June gives her a cool reception, and as time passes the women become bitter enemies. Later, Maxine persuades Morgan to give her the necklace bequeathed to June's daughter; when June sees it around Maxine's neck, her anger knows no bounds. Maddened with fury, June tears the jewel from the charlatan's throat. Morgan, entering the scene, heeds his wife's reproaches, and in frenzied rage orders June and her husband and daughter from his home. When the governess 30 years in Morgan's service rebukes him for his heartless conduct and warns him that "he is living in a fool's paradise," she too is ordered from the house. June, now living in a cheap boardinghouse with her family in poverty, is about to have another baby. Terrified at the thought of further responsibilities and the bitter recollection that the venom of Maxine's malice has transformed her kind father into a brute who forced this misery on her. June conceives a desperate plan to avoid the consequences of motherhood, but fortunately, her intentions are defeated in time by her husband. John now decides to see Morgan and tell him the facts. Morgan informed by John of their poverty and June's desperate notion, resolves to come to their aid, but, here too Maxine comes forward unexpectedly, orders John from the house, and tells Morgan "she doesn't want his pauper relatives around." One evening, Rufus Stone, Maxine's lawyer and friend takes her to a performance of "Faust." Morgan remains at home. In their absences, he compares "Faust's" with his own life. He sees himself as "Faust" giving the jewels to Maxine, as Marguerite; while Rufus, as Mephisto, laughs mockingly at his folly. Morgan, now awakened, realizes that the old governess was right when she accused him of living in "a fool's paradise." Late that night, Morgan finds Maxine in the arms of Rufus. His infatuation turns to hatred, he tells Rufus, "You love my wife? Take her." He tears the necklace from Maxine's neck and orders the pair from his home. He restores his daughter and family to his home. Maxine now proposes marriage to Rufus, but he tells her she is too late. A week later, while the family is celebrating their reunion, Maxine appears like an ugly shadow from the past. It is her last attempt to regain the old man's affections. He again starts to weaken before her poisonous charm, but his little grandchild rushes to his aid and with her magic power she overpowers the vampire's pretense. Morgan gives Maxine a liberal allowance and freedom and commands her to leave, and she goes forth into the night.

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Henry Patterson, living in Chicago with his wife, Lola, and infant boy, Harold, receives disturbing news regarding his mining interests at Denver. He goes there to investigate, and to avoid publicity, assumes the name of Henry Donovan. At Denver, he finds the mine is worthless, and faces ruin. He meets Louise Douglas, a wealthy woman, who becomes attracted to him. She makes overtures of marriage, unaware of his real identity. Henry, in a wild belief that he can save his family from poverty, marries Louise. He invents excuses to Lola, whom he still loves, for his long absence. The poor woman receives his money and affectionate letters, ignorant of his folly. In due course, Louise gives birth to a daughter, Muriel. The months lengthen into years, Lola in her solitude, has formed a strong friendship for Fred Warren, an artist, for whom she poses. The artist, believing Lola to be a widow, presses her to marry him. Her refusals arouse his suspicion, until one day Lola receives a letter which, Warren notices, agitates her. The letter is, indeed, from her husband, a confession of his bigamous union with Louise, and promising to make early reparation. Taking advantage of Lola's absence from the room, Warren purloins the letter and learns her secret. Meanwhile, Louise has entrusted Henry with a large sum of money for investment in New York. He goes instead to his wife at Chicago. In a touching scene, past sins are confessed and forgiven, and the couple make preparations for a hasty departure. At the moment of leaving, Warren pays Lola an unexpected visit. Furiously Warren denounces Henry, calls him "Bigamist," and threatens to turn over his letter of confession to his wife Louise. Henry, demanding the letter, draws a revolver, and in the struggle, the pistol is accidentally discharged, killing the bigamist. With a plea for forgiveness as he dies. Henry hands over to Lola Louise's money. In order not to implicate her in the murder. Warren orders Lola away from the scene. She, having in mind the $50,000, heeds his advice and immediately leaves with Harold for New York, where she assumes the name of "Gibson." Warren telephones the police, giving himself up as the murderer. Louise, notified by the Chicago police of her husband's death, comes to Chicago. Seeking revenge, she secures permission to see her husband's murderer. She enters the cell with a concealed weapon. There she learns for the first time the truth, from the written confession of her husband which the prisoner has concealed on his person. She is prostrated by grief, and her vow of vengeance becomes a promise to help the prisoner. The trial takes place. Warren, aided by Louise's counsel and her testimony, is declared "not guilty." With gratitude on the one side, and sympathy on the other, a strong bond of friendship is formed which soon gives way to love. Warren and Louise marry and come to live in New York. With the passing of years, Lola, giving way to extravagance, becomes penniless. Harold, now at Milan studying music, requests funds, and with her son's need in mind, Lola at a dance steals a necklace. Her theft detected, she is tried and sent to prison for two years. Harold, who has made a name for himself in Milan, meets a charming student, Muriel Warren. Unaware of each other's antecedents, they form a deep attachment and finally arrange to return to America to marry. Lola's prison term expired, she comes to New York. There, sitting on a park bench, she picks up a discarded newspaper, in which she reads the wedding announcement of Harold and Muriel, to take place that afternoon. She rushes to the church, breaks through the crowd, and in a most dramatic scene, before the altar, makes her confession to the priest. Muriel now learns for the first time that her stepfather, Warren, killed her father. Her soul, embittered by the guilt of her parents, she leaves her mother's house and becomes a nun. Harold, learning that his, father's misdeeds nearly caused the marriage of brother and sister, forgives his broken-hearted mother, takes her with him and makes a home for her.