Cinematic Discoveries Resonating with the Themes of Open the Bars: Cult Guide

Dir: Milburn Morante

"Slim" Duane, a wandering cowboy, having being forced to exchange clothes with an escaped fugitive, draws suspicion upon himself for the murder of Sheriff Findlay. He escapes the posse, discovers a gang of rustlers hiding in the hills and they make him a captive. Meanwhile, another innocent man has been blamed for the killing and is about to be hanged. Slim's friend, "Course-Gold" Charlie and his girlfriend, Anne, ride to his rescue.

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

Dir: Milburn Morante

Discharged foreman of ranch is about to kidnap daughter of ranch owner when cowboy from "other parts" rescues her. He is made foreman, later being unjustly arrested on a charge of rustling cattle, but girl, who is in court disguised as man, notices that blood stain on handkerchief, which is used as evidence, does not correspond with cut on hand of the foreman, but corresponds with a wound on the hand of the discharged foreman. The "stranger" is acquitted and marries the girl.

Dir: Milburn Morante

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

There's dirty work afoot at the crossroads when arch-villain Howard Breen and a crooked banker are scheming to take over the Jeremiah Grant's ranch, and Breen also has his eye on Grant's daughter, Evelyn. However, cowhand Johnny Bowers, who also has any eye on Evelyn, and his horse, Lightning, put an end to the villainy.

Dir: Milburn Morante

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

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

Dir: Milburn Morante

"Blizz" Ballard, summoned by the Homesteaders' League to track down a gang of cattle rustlers, arrives in Paradise Valley. In the saloon he is taunted by Jerome Garrett, who hopes to intimidate him but is himself beaten in a fight. Ballard, after proving himself by riding an outlaw horse, is taken on at the Gregg ranch. Garrett, in the family's favor and admired by Emily, the judge's daughter, accuses Ballard of being a cattle thief, while his accomplices capture and torture the sheriff. Ballard rescues the sheriff and captures his tormentors, but they are released by their cohorts. Ballard then foils a plot to rob the judge, pursues and captures Garrett, and marries Emily.

Dir: Milburn Morante

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Milburn Morante

Daring bandit Diamond Carlisle and Lopez, a murderer, cleverly escape from a posse and cross the border into Canada. Abandoned by Lopez, Carlisle is hired by gambler and saloon-keeper Black Meyer to use his skill with cards to bankrupt Dick Boyd, who owns valuable timberland. Carlisle proceeds successfully until he falls in love with Dick's sister, Mae. He then has a change of heart and returns his winnings to Dick. Lopez reappears, fights with Carlisle, and is killed. Carlisle exchanges clothes with him, thus satisfying the Northwest Mounted Police, when they find the body, and leaving Carlisle free to marry Mae.

Dir: Milburn Morante

Beldon, the new foreman of Squaredeal's ranch, arrives and with his arrival the rustling that terrorized the ranch ceases. Among those under him Beldon recognizes Cole, former manager of the Bar X ranch, whom he catches annoying a servant and knocks him down. Seeking vengeance Cole proceeds to make life troublesome for Beldon, who is entrusted with a large sum of money by Squaredeal, to be deposited in the bank. Accompanied by Squaredeal's daughter, Beldon sets out to deposit the money the next morning, is overtaken by Cole and the two are locked in the latter's shack. The disappearance results in a search by Beldon's cowboys. Meanwhile Beldon has freed himself, subdues Cole in a fight, throwing him from a cliff, just as the posse appears. Explanations follow with everybody happy.