The Cult Collection Inspired by the Vision of Main 1-2-3: Cult Guide

Dir: Alfred Santell

Young Marian hooks up with Arthur, a boy who loves nothing more than drinking and fast music. He takes Marian to a string of wild parties, and she falls for him. She marries him on his promise to settle down from his wild life. It isn't long before he becomes restless, though, and takes up with a flashy dancer. Feeling neglected, Marian meets up with a former boyfriend, Bob. Complications ensue.

Dir: Alfred Santell

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Alfred Santell

The annual tournament of the Clear Valley Country Club is a particularly notable event because the winner is to receive not only the prize cup but the hand of the president's daughter. Paul is outdistanced by the champion in the golf and driving contests, but comes into his own in the Pogo race through the aid of a goat.

Dir: Alfred Santell

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Alfred Santell

Notorious crooks "Hairpin" Annie and Sea Bass steal a suitcase on the train and discover that it is filled with scenarios. Its owner, Egbert Winslow, agrees to write a screenplay about the underworld with Sea Bass's help. Sea Bass, seeing a chance to expose a pal who has double-crossed him, describes "High-Shine" Joe and some of his underworld activities. Joe sees the film in a South American theater and recognizes himself. He goes to the motion picture studio determined to kill Egbert Winslow, but bank president Peyton, who has been robbed by Joe, appears simultaneously with the police and saves Winslow.

Dir: Alfred Santell

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Alfred Santell

Milt Kimberlin (Bowers) falls in love with an marries a cabaret dancer, Rosalie (Bow) but looses all his money. Rosalie dies. Years later, a wealthy Milt marries Madeline (Rich), but wishes he could have the same happiness that he did with his former marriage. Madeline leaves him over a forged letter that "proves" Rosalie's infidelity. After the letter's author, a blackmailer, is unmasked, Milt is reunited with Madeline and the two find new happiness with each other.

Dir: Alfred Santell

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

American sculptress Adele La Rue, working in Paris, lacks the inspiration to create a masterpiece, until Jean Ballard, a wild apache leader, takes refuge from the police in her apartment. Adele saves him from capture on the condition that he pose as the model for one of her works. Adele and Jean fall in love, finding happiness with each other until Marie, Jean's former love, insults him by telling him he is no better than a rich woman's lap dog. Jean returns to the underworld and becomes involved in a gang war with a rival gang, the Wolves. Looking for Jean, Adele goes to a cafe he is known to frequent, where she is abducted by the Wolves. When Jean comes to rescue her, he is also captured. The Wolves heat knives with which to torture the reunited lovers, but before they can be used, the police arrive and open fire on the Wolves' hideout. During the excitement, Marie, who has joined the Wolves, repents of her hate and releases Adele and Jean. They jump from an open window just as the hideout is destroyed by artillery fire. Jean decides to repent, and the lovers look forward to a romantic future together.

Dir: Alfred Santell

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Alfred Santell

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.