Recommendations
Senior Film Conservator

If you found yourself captivated by the poignant storytelling of Men of Action (1935), the profound questions raised in 1935 still require cinematic answers today. Experience the United States influence in these recommendations that echo Men of Action.
Men of Action remains a monumental achievement to provide a definitive example of Alan James's stylistic genius.
Filled with stock footage from beginning to end of construction scenes on Hoover/Boulder Dam in Nevada, the story centers on the construction of the fictitious Sweetwater Dam being built in California. Evans Construction Company, run by Arthur Hooyt, has all its money tied up in the work and must finish the dam on time in order to collect. Meanwhile crooked banker Edwin Markham has other plans and sends in a collection of all-star B-feature heavies, including Fred Kohler, Wally Wales, Slim Whitaker and the Dillard brothers, to wreck the dam. The saboteurs dynamite a mountain and cover up John Ince, the father of water-boy Frankie Darro, who vows to avenge his dad's death. Frankie works his way up to a job as a rider in the radio-dispatched horse-mounted patrol organized by Evans'daughter, and, alongside the construction foreman (LeRoy Mason) makes a last-ditch effort to halt the dynamiting of the dam.
Men of Action was a significant production in United States, showcasing the immense talent of Hal Taliaferro, Fred Kohler, Frank McCarroll. It continues to be a top recommendation for anyone studying Drama history.
Based on the unique poignant storytelling of Men of Action, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Drama cinema:
Dir: Edward LeSaint
When famous opera singer Elinore Duane undergoes an operation on her throat, she has a series of ether-induced visions. In one, she is transported to ancient Rome where she appears as a much-admired woman in love with Paul, a young heretic, and at odds with Lutor, the high priest. To save her love, she poisons Lutor with her ring. After several other visions which involve variations on this love triangle, Elinore awakens to discover that Lutor is actually her doctor, Sascha Jaccard, and that Paul is the son of a friend who has come to visit the recovering prima donna.
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Dir: Frank Beal
During a raging Montana snowstorm, Doctor Jim Barnes collapses at Esther Anderson's cabin door. Esther offers Jim refuge, but when he discovers that their food supplies are running dangerously low, he braves the journey into town in order to replenish them. On the way, he is overcome with exhaustion and fails to return. Esther, unaware of Jim's condition and abused by her stepfather, joins a theatrical troop and leaves home. Time passes and Jim finally finds Esther, but a vindictive member of her troupe accuses her of having an affair with the manager and Jim believes the accusation. He leaves and Esther goes to New York City where she becomes engaged to a jealous artist, although she still loves Jim. Sam Tuttle, a long time friend, is aware of Esther's continuing love, and so brings Jim to New York City in time to save Esther from an unhappy marriage.
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Dir: Eduardo Notari
A crime drama in the Gennariello-series. The police detective in Naples that is confronted with modern gangsters and crime events.
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Dir: Edgar Jones
A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.
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Dir: William Parke
Bruce Wendell, the son of West Virginia coal mine owner James Wendell, graduates from West Point and prepares to lead a fighting unit to the front during World War I. As his father lies dying, however, he convinces Bruce to remain at home and guard the mine. Bruce's fiancée Ann Blair assumes that he is a coward and breaks off their engagement, but her brother Bobbie remains Bruce's loyal friend. Meyer, a German agent, persuades railroad president Parrish to refuse to transport Wendell's coal, but when Bruce adamantly refuses to close the mine, the spy's men decide to blow it up. While Ann is being abducted by Meyer, Bobbie is buried in an explosion at the mine. Bruce rescues Bobbie and then sends a plea to Lieutenant Parrish to rescue Ann. Meyer and his gang are captured and Ann renews her vow of love to Bruce.
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Dir: Tod Browning
Achmet Bey, a Turkish chieftain, catches one of his many wives in adultery and murders her lover. Throwing aside the cuckolding wife, he abducts his harem an innocent girl. However, a brave American who loves her comes to her rescue.
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Dir: Harley Knoles
Jim McDonald, the foreman of a shipbuilding plant and head of the labor union, strives to combat the anarchistic propaganda being put forth by Klimoff, the leader of a Bolshevik gang whose goal is to disrupt the country with strikes and anarchy. Despite McDonald's efforts, a strike is called, resulting in chaos. McDonald's child is knocked down by runaway horses abandoned by their striking driver, and dies. Mob scenes take place in America, as well as in Russia. Eventually, the unrest is quelled with an armistice called between Capital and Labor for a year, during which time wages are to be increased to reflect the cost of living, and leaders are to work out a common plan for their mutual advantage. The strikers now realize that they have been pawns of the Bolsheviks and call off the strike, agreeing to the plan.
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Dir: Victor Heerman
In the gold fields of the Canadian Northwest, a man is falsely accused of a crime and determines that a lookalike is responsible.
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Dir: Harry Southwell
A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.
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Dir: Dallas M. Fitzgerald
Confidence artist Flossie Golden attempts to fleece foolish but wealthy James Venable with a breach-of-promise suit. Venable's shrewd attorney, Richard Harding, outwits Flossie by proposing that she marry Venable and live on an allowance of $3,000 per year. Flossie is determined to get even with Harding for ruining her plans. In an attempt to con him, she poses as Innocence Page, but falls in love and marries him instead. Larry, Flossie's former accomplice, endeavors to blackmail her with her errant past, but Harding is already cognizant of the facts and Larry fails.
View DetailsAnalysis relative to Men of Action
| Film Title | Atmosphere | Complexity | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Sister to Salome | Gothic | High | 88% Match |
| The Devil's Riddle | Ethereal | Dense | 86% Match |
| 'A mala nova | Surreal | Layered | 92% Match |
| In the River | Gritty | High | 92% Match |
| The Key to Power | Gritty | Dense | 91% Match |
This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Alan James's archive. Last updated: 6/5/2026.
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