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The Definitive Guide Deeply Connected to Not Quite Decent: Cult Guide

Author

Senior Film Conservator

14 May 2026

4 min read

The 1929 release of Not Quite Decent redefined the parameters of Drama storytelling, the visual language established by Irving Cummings is something many try to emulate. Explore the following titles to broaden your appreciation for Drama excellence.

The Not Quite Decent Phenomenon

Historically, Not Quite Decent represents to synthesize diverse influences into a singular artistic statement.

On her way to New York for her first stage appearance, Linda Cunningham meets Mame Jarrow, a nightclub singer; Linda later drops by to hear Mame sing, accompanied by their angel, Paul Nicholson, a wealthy roué. Mame gradually comes to realize that Linda is her own daughter, from whom she was separated years before by pious relatives. Using all her wiles, Mame attempts to keep Linda from falling prey to Nicholson, and when all else fails, she sends for Jerry Connor, Linda's small town sweetheart. Linda returns home with Jerry, and Mame sings her heart out in smoky rooms, never disclosing to Linda that she is her mother.

Critical Consensus

7.5/10

Critics widely regard Not Quite Decent as a cult-favorite piece of Drama cinema. Its poignant storytelling is frequently cited as its strongest asset, solidifying its place in United States's film legacy.

The Hundredth Chance scene — Scene from The Hundredth Chance

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

The Definitive Guide Deeply Connected to Not Quite Decent

Based on the unique poignant storytelling of Not Quite Decent, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Drama cinema:

The Hundredth Chance

1. The Hundredth Chance 1920

Dir: Maurice Elvey

A lady marries a horse trainer but withholds herself until her crippled brother is cured.

'A mala nova

2. 'A mala nova 1920

Dir: Eduardo Notari

'A mala nova scene — Scene from 'A mala nova

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

A crime drama in the Gennariello-series. The police detective in Naples that is confronted with modern gangsters and crime events.

Blackmail

3. Blackmail 1920

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.

The River's End

4. The River's End 1920

Dir: Victor Heerman

Blackmail scene — Scene from Blackmail

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

In the gold fields of the Canadian Northwest, a man is falsely accused of a crime and determines that a lookalike is responsible.

The Kelly Gang

5. The Kelly Gang 1920

Dir: Harry Southwell

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

The Virgin of Stamboul

6. The Virgin of Stamboul 1920

Dir: Tod Browning

The River's End scene — Scene from The River's End

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

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.

The Night Riders

7. The Night Riders 1920

Dir: Alexander Butler

In Alberta, Canada, a Cornish emigrant unmasks a rustler posing as the girl's "blind" father.

In the River

8. In the River 1920

Dir: Edgar Jones

The Kelly Gang scene — Scene from The Kelly Gang

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

A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.

A Sister to Salome

9. A Sister to Salome 1920

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.

The Great Day

10. The Great Day 1920

Dir: Hugh Ford

The 'dead' wife of a steel process inventor returns, as does her 'dead' husband, a war amnesiac.

Cinematic Comparison Matrix

Analysis relative to Not Quite Decent

Film Title	Atmosphere	Complexity	Similarity
The Hundredth Chance	Gritty	Dense	87% Match
'A mala nova	Surreal	Layered	92% Match
Blackmail	Surreal	High	88% Match
The River's End	Gothic	Linear	91% Match
The Kelly Gang	Tense	Linear	95% Match

* This matrix is generated based on structural DNA and genre proximity to the 1929 classic Not Quite Decent.

This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Irving Cummings's archive. Last updated: 5/14/2026.

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