Must-Watch List in the Vein of Meg o' the Mountains: Cult Guide

Dir: Richard Ridgely

Mary Ladislas elopes with the chauffeur because of his sympathy for her ideals, and they stop at a hotel. The scornful attitude of all who meet them causes Mary to desire immediate marriage, but on the way for a license, the auto overturns and kills the chauffeur. It is too late for Mary to return home now and she is left alone, disconsolate. Hugh Whittaker, ill, given up by the doctors, leaves his affairs in the hands of Drummond, his partner, and prepares to leave for the west. He meets Mary and prevents her suicide. Pitying her and feeling his own end near, he marries her and continues on his journey, after giving her a note to his partner, Drummond, so that he may provide for her. Drummond, who is dissipating and appropriating Hugh's funds, is fascinated by Mary, but she refuses his aid. Later, news comes of Hugh's death. Mary obtains the title role in Carmen at Max's theater, who treasures her for her artistic acting. In a jealous rage he causes the death of David, another actor whom Mary is to marry. Four years pass. Thurston, a young millionaire, who is to marry Mary, is pushed off a ferry boat by Max and drowned. Drummond, meanwhile, is forcing his attentions on Mary. Hugh, contrary to reports, has not been killed. His mining operations in the west have made him a millionaire and he returns home cured. At the theater he sees Mary. She recognizes him and suffers a nervous breakdown. Her unfortunate affairs with men have earned her the title of "The Destroying Angel." She goes to the seashore to recover from her attack. Drummond, meanwhile, who has spent all the money left in his care by Hugh, has disappeared. Unconscious of Mary's whereabouts, Hugh also takes a cottage at the seashore. He foils Drummond, who has suddenly reappeared, in an attempt to kidnap Mary. Drummond is killed in the scuffle by Hugh's valet. Fearing to cast her terrible spell upon him, Mary leaves Hugh and returns to the stage. He follows, however, and Max attempts to shoot him, but Hugh has broken the deadly spell, for Max's bullets go wild. Mary, who really loves Hugh, gives herself up to her love, and returns with him. His is the charmed life which has pierced the circle of death about "The Destroying Angel."

Dir: Richard Ridgely

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

Spanish soldiers arrive in Cuba and raid the farm of Dolores' father. Father and brother, attempting to protect their home, are arrested and held for court-martial. Captain Hernandez listens to Dolores' plea for their release and taken by her beauty, promises to set them free. His advances to her are interrupted by the sound of a rifle volley. Through the open window, Dolores sees her father fall before the firing squad. For this she kills Hernandez. Running to his home in the mountain fastnesses, she tells Garcia, Cuba's savior, of her act. Political unrest finds the Maine anchored in the Harbor of Havana. Jose, Dolores' brother, hiding from the troops who have killed his father, seeks revenge. Prowling about, he enters a subterranean vault where he sees an officer exhibiting to some visitors, the switch which controls the mines laid in the harbor. The officer and his friends depart, and Jose throws the switch which sends the Maine and its crew to the bottom. Garcia's whereabouts are unknown and President McKinley seeks a man who can deliver a message addressed: General Garcia, Somewhere in Cuba. Of the many who are called, Lieutenant Rowan alone is chosen. Mme. Gonzalles, a spy in America, employed by the Spanish government, is instructed to ascertain the attitude of the United States government, after the sinking of the Maine. She discovers that Rowan is sailing for Cuba with a message for Garcia. Determining that the message must not reach its destination she follows Rowan on his trip across, arranging by wire for his arrest upon his arrival in Havana. A soldier, stopping at a well near Dolores' home, drops a message addressed to Captain Gonzalles, Mme. Gonzalles' brother, informing him that she has arranged for the American's capture. Dolores rushes to Garcia with the news. On board ship, Mme. Gonzalles makes several efforts to get the message, but each time is foiled by Rowan. He learns of the fate that awaits him and when the boat docks, escapes the pursuing soldiers by jumping overboard. Rowan swims ashore and eludes the pursuing Spaniards. Meeting one of the soldiers single-handed, Rowan overpowers him. exchanging his own wet clothes for the man's uniform. Thus, clad as a soldier of Spain, Rowan sets out to roam the wilderness for Garcia. He meets Dolores who, at first frightened because of the uniform he wears, shows her relief and joy when she learns that he is "Americano." He manages to make her understand that he is seeking Garcia. "Butcher" Weyler, Governor-General of Cuba, upbraids Mme. Gonzalles for her failure in effecting Rowan's arrest. Fearful lest Weyler wreak his wrath upon her, Captain Gonzalles, her brother, offers to assume personal responsibility for the immediate capture of Rowan. From the brow of a hill, Rowan and Dolores sight the pursuing party. Capture is imminent and Rowan entrusts his message to Dolores. They part ways and soon Rowan is made a prisoner. Dolores, however, manages to set him free. Again, they start on their journey, but the pursuers soon take up the trail and before long they find themselves ambushed. All hope seems lost. Dolores parts the bushes and reveals in the distance, the house of Garcia. She returns the message to Rowan and bids him hasten on, while she remains behind with his rifle, holding off the attacking troops. Rowan delivers the message, but on his return he finds the bullet-riddled body of Dolores, mute witness to her great heroism. As a sacred memory of the one who made the delivery of the message possible, he takes back home with him Dolores' lace scarf. Back in the barracks the boys are rejoicing at Rowan's success. He is greeted amid wild shouts and cheers, and when the lace scarf comes to view his friend turn to him with an all-knowing smile. But the story of Dolores' sacrifice soon makes them understand and when the call to arms is sounded they march away cherishing the name of the unknown "little Cuban."

Dir: Richard Ridgely

Filled with memories of the Philippine campaign, Lieutenant Ranson returns to the United States. After a month or two in Washington, he tells his father that he must have a change, and a chance to see some excitement. General Ranson writes and arranges to have him go to Fort Stanton, Texas, an Army post commanded by an old friend. Arrived at the railroad town nearest to the post, Ranson is conveyed to the post by stagecoach. A prairie fire is in progress a few miles away from Fort Stanton, and Ranson joins the soldiers and others in fighting it. Incidentally, he is successful in rescuing Mary Cahill, the daughter of the post-trader, Patrick Cahill. Ranson is received into the life of the fort and becomes a leader among the younger men. Ranson talks of the "big doings" out in the Philippines, and is "bored to death" with the dull routine of the fort. When one of the men calls his attention to a placard announcing a large reward for the capture of "The Red Rider," Ranson declares that it is nothing at all to hold up a stage; that anyone can do it and get away with it; that on a $50 bet, he himself, will hold up the stagecoach that night with a pair of shears. His brother officers ridicule the idea. Ranson insists that he can, and will, do it. Meantime, at the railway town, the coach has already started when Lieutenant Patten, the paymaster, arrives, carrying a bag containing $10.000 with which to pay off the soldiers. Finding the coach gone, he engages a man with a buckboard to drive him to the fort. Ranson successfully holds up the stagecoach. He is polite to the two lady passengers and takes nothing from anybody except a souvenir from one of the ladies, in the form of her photograph, this being sufficient proof to show his brother officers. He then rides back to the post. Meantime, Lieutenant Patten, hurrying along in the buckboard, is held up by a masked man dressed almost exactly as was Ranson. In a fight that ensues, the highwayman shoots and kills the driver of the buckboard, and wounds the lieutenant in the shoulder. The robber then gets possession of the bag of money and makes good his escape, but not before he has been himself shot in the hand by the paymaster. At the post, the news of the robbery arrives with the return of the detachment of men who have been sent out to escort the paymaster. They bring Lieutenant Patten with them, and he tells of the robbery and of having wounded the robber in the hand. As an outcome of the whole affair, Ranson is arrested, charged with having held up both stage and the pay-train. He is confined to his quarters, awaiting court martial, and there he sends for Mr. Cahill, with whom he wishes to speak in regard to Mary. He notices that Cabin's hand is bandaged, but Cahill tells him that his pony bit him while he was bridling her. Mary enters, and in the course of the conversation tells Ranson that her father has told her that he shot himself in the hand while fooling with his revolver. Ranson is at once suspicious, and when Mary goes out he accuses Cahill of being the real "Red Rider." Finally Cahill confesses that it is true. Ranson tells him that no matter what happened, he will stick by his daughter. He urges Cahill to hurry away to Fort Worth on the pretext of buying an engagement ring. Cahill says he will do so and that he will write a letter of confession exonerating Ranson, after he is safely in Canada. But hardly has he entered the other room when Ranson hears a shot. Rushing in, he finds Cahill lying across the table, a bullet through his brain. By his hand is a brief note of confession, which he has hastily scribbled. As Mary rushes in, Ranson draws her back but she has guessed the truth. Her father has paid for his long-concealed life of crime, and now she gives herself wholly into Ranson's keeping, knowing that her father's wish was to have them marry and be happy.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

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

Guido, an artist, is obsessed with the desire for the death of Clavering, a rich man who has entered into a forced marriage with Margaret, the girl whom Guido loves. The thought accompanies him in his work, his sleep and fills his every moment. One night, he awakens from a dream in which he has murdered Clavering. The next morning, Clavering is found murdered and Guido labors under the uncanny feeling that he is the murderer. Hoping to relieve Guido's fears, Margaret induces him to paint the picture of his dream. Clavering's butler sees the painting of his dead master, and is so horror stricken that he confesses to murdering Clavering for his money.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

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

Young Hester is kidnapped in India by revolutionaries. As she grows up she becomes one of them, and is sent to England to recover a holy ruby taken from India by her father, Sir Christopher Radwick. However, she falls in love with the manager of her father's estate, and gives up her revolutionary activities. The revolutionaries aren't the forgiving types, however, and follow her to England. When Hester's father dies and is found to have been poisoned, Hester is accused of the crime.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

The nefarious Mother Morro is a disreputable innkeeper who charges smugglers protection money. After she procures an innocent young girl for Capt. Jose's pleasure, the girl's father puts a curse on the old woman. Soon after, Morro's beloved convent reared daughter Mercedes falls in love with the lecherous Jose. To avenge her daughter's stolen innocence, Morro arranges for Amadio to kill Jose, but Mercedes overhears the plan and offers her life to save Jose's. Upon learning that her daughter's body has been thrown over the cliff, Morro becomes demented and falls to her death. On moonlit nights her ghost haunts Morro Castle.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

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

Story deals with Rodin, a prospector who has struck it rich after years of toiling. He comes upon the cabin of Estrella in a delirium brought on by starvation. This woman's husband has deserted her; in order to blackmail Rodin she makes him believe that in his delirium he murdered the missing man. For years Estrella bleeds Rodin. He tries in vain to establish proof of his innocence, but he is unsuccessful, and the woman keeps the upper hand. Alter some years Rodin meets Alice Carey, and a love springs up between them. Estrella reads of their engagement, and sends another blackmailing letter. Rodin calls on her to plead with her. She refuses, and in desperation he switches off the lights and locks her in a secret room, where he leaves her. Her trunk, which has been packed for a journey, he gives to an expressman. It falls off the wagon into the river. As Estrella does not appear, and the trunk is found floating in the stream, Rodin is accused of her murder. At the trial a host of evidence is brought up against him, and it seems to everyone that he is certain of being convicted. But just when the jury is about to retire the judge instructs them that no verdict of guilty can be brought, as the body has not been found. On this technicality, which comes as a complete surprise to everyone, including Rodin, the accused man is acquitted. He then goes to Alice to hear his "real sentence." She confesses that she believes him guilty of the murder. He releases her from the engagement, and goes to his home. A shot rings out in the library. The butler rushes in, to find his master dead.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

Two business partners, Bradley and Collier, are in love with Mary. Bradley gives Collier to understand that he is engaged to her, and it is this only that prevents Collier declaring his love. Lola, a young Italian girl whom Bradley has betrayed, comes to the office to beg him to marry her. Mary hears the girl's plea, and comes into the office. Here she sees Collier talking to the girl. He has come, not knowing the situation, and Bradley has slipped out another door. Mary believes that Collier is the guilty man, and refuses to speak to him. Bradley encourages her in this idea and begs her to marry him. Collier, heartbroken, has left for the west, in order to recover his lost spirits. Bradley has a fake telegram sent to him announcing Collier's death, for he knows that he has no chance with Mary as long as his rival is alive. After some time Mary marries him. But almost immediately afterward she meets Lola, who is dying in a hospital. Lola begs her to care for Bradley's child, and she learns too late that her husband deceived her. She returns and denounces him. He, knowing that the scandal is sure to get out, orders her to prepare for a trip to Europe. He sells his, as well as Collier's, share in the company. Lola's father, crazed by his daughter's death, comes to Bradley's office and sneaks in through the basement window. The next day Bradley is found dead. Tony is arrested. Collier returns and meets Mary. Together they go to the police and ask for the release of Tony. Collier tells of his arrival the night before and his knowledge of the sale of the company. He went to confront Bradley, and they struggled. Bradley drew a revolver, which went off in his hand, killing him. Collier had tried to make the case look like suicide, until he learned that Tony was being held. The police assure Collier that his innocence will be easily established, and he and Mary face the future with the knowledge that a long-deferred happiness will be theirs.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

Eve Leslie is a poor country girl who wishes she could have fine clothes, motors, and wealthy friends. The person she envies most is famous actress Betty Howard, not knowing that Betty's life has been full of sorry--for years she sought a certain man, and when she found him he was a a desperate criminal who, misunderstanding her kindnesses, tried to blackmail her. Her hard work, too, has affected her health and her physician has ordered her to give up the stage to take a long rest. Betty longs for just the sort of life that Eve has and doesn't seem to appreciate. Through Adam Moore, son of a rich man, Eve hears much of Betty Howard, who is a "pal" of Adam's. One day Betty is motoring with Stanton Skinner, an unscrupulous man who wants her to marry him. Betty collapses and is taken to Eve's home, which is nearby; they become friends. Rocco Erwin, the man Betty has been seeking, attempts to rob Skinner, is caught, and is released only upon Betty's pleas. She tells Skinner who Rocco is. Rocco, himself, does not know. Rocco later comes to Betty for more money, is refused, and throttles her and flees, leaving her for dead. Skinner, who has fallen in love with Eve, invites her aboard his yacht. Rocco follows Skinner to the yacht, where Eve has gone. Rocco asks Skinner to help him escape. Skinner refuses and Rocco attacks him. Rocco learns that Betty is his sister, and attempts to slay Skinner, while Eve crouches nearby frantic with terror. Betty recovers, learns where Eve has gone, and, with Adam to help her, follows to the yacht. In exciting scenes Adam and Betty rescue Eve from her peril and she rests securely in Adam's arms, envious no longer.