The Definitive Watchlist Seeking the Same Brilliance as Milenky sta...

Dir: Alfred J. Goulding

Two tramps wrest a pistol from a hold up man, then try to pull a stick up of their own, unfortunately for them, a cop appears and takes the money back and then chases them through a park with a lake. One steals canoe and the chase continues when a mob of cops go after him in more boats.

Dir: Herbert Blaché

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

After Schuyler Rutherford's divorce from his rich wife Caroline, who was his meal ticket, his sister Kathleen is so humiliated by the fact that her penniless condition was brought to light during the court proceedings that she seeks solace in her sculptor friend Mary Carter, who offers her a job as her secretary. While working, she becomes acquainted with Mary's wealthy cousin Robert Winston when she overhears him denouncing parasitic girls like Kathleen. Vowing revenge, Kathleen assumes a false name and obtains a position as Robert's secretary, determined to make him fall in love with her. Kathleen's plan succeeds, and then, to spite Robert, she announces her engagement to wealthy Murray Van Allan. After a series of incidents, Robert makes Kathleen realize that she really loves him and, after forgiving him, she agrees to be his wife.

Dir: Sidney Franklin

A chorus girl hopes to rise to stardom and thus accepts the advances of a wealthy man. But she becomes fearful of her reputation and safety. In an attempt to escape the rake's attentions, she hides out with a disparate group of men who room in a house called "The Barn." There she learns that there is more to life than that found on the stage.

Dir: Richard Smith

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

Two female candidates for Chief of Police live across the hall from each other, and their political rivalry follows them home, leading to plenty of hi-jinks.

Dir: Vernon Stallings

Krazy Kat is held in jail and Ignatz finally bails him out after encountering "guilt".

Dir: Bud Fisher

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

Mutt and Jeff go on strike and make their own film.

Dir: Malcolm St. Clair

A dancing instructor gets involved with a newly rich family.

Dir: Hal Roach

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

An American book salesman (Lloyd) is persuaded to go to the kingdom of Thermosa to impersonate the Prince. He is greeted by a peasants' revolt before the real prince shows up to claim his throne and princess. The revolution succeeds, and the American is elected president of the new republic.

Dir: Mason N. Litson

Edgar and his chum try to amass a fortune in one day by cornering the fan market on a hot afternoon when the circus comes to the small town where they are spending their vacation.

Dir: Reggie Morris

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.