The Auteur's Selection In the Shadow of Paid in Full: Cult Guide

Dir: Emile Chautard

Adventuress Stefanie Paoli forsakes her lover, humble fisherman Gabriel Barrato, for the arms of a nobleman, the Marquis de Mohrivart. Upon learning that Stefanie has wed another, Gabriel kills himself and his brother Benedetto swears revenge. Stefanie goes to France with the Marquis where they run an exclusive gambling club. Years pass and they have a son, Charles, who is sent to England for his education. Charles, ignorant of his parent's method of living, marries Rose Verney, the daughter of an upper class British family. Meanwhile, Benedetto has acquired wealth and visits the Mohrivart tables in Paris. Although enthralled with Stefanie's beauty, he attacks the woman on whom he has sworn revenge. In attempting to save his wife, the Marquis is killed. Benedetto is sentenced to life in prison, and soon after, Stefanie, learning that her son is dying, visits his family in England. After Charles death, she refuses to leave, threatening to invoke an old French law which would declare her granddaughter's birth illegitimate unless the Verney family supports her. Stefanie is prevented from victimizing her son's family when Sir Horace Welby, a former lover, falsely informs her that Benedetto has been freed and is seeking her life. Terrified, Stefanie disappears and leaves the Verneys in peace.

Dir: Emile Chautard

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

Robert Hendricks, who is a rich young bachelor, becomes infatuated with Myra, a beautiful, but evil, dancer of a New York dancing resort. He invites her to his apartment, where his attorney calls unexpectedly. Hendricks sends Myra in an adjoining room and receives the lawyer, who comes to tell him that he is leaving for Europe and wishes to turn over $20,000 in unregistered securities, as the balance of the estate of Hendricks' father, of which he was trustee. Myra pricked her ears at this, and peeking through the portieres, saw Hendricks place the securities in a concealed wall-safe. After the departure of the lawyer, Myra comes out of seclusion and Hendricks tells her to remain in his rooms until his return, as he wishes to speak to his broker at once regarding the bonds. The moment Hendricks leaves the apartment, Myra phoned to her pals a band of crooks, telling them to hurry there for a rich haul. They were just taking the bonds out of the safe as Hendricks returned. In the fight that ensued, one of the crooks, Myra's lover, was accidentally killed by Myra's own hand. When Hendricks realized the full significance of the situation, rather than turn the girl over to the police, magnanimously allows the girl to escape. The years pass and Hendricks becomes a serious reformer, forceful and effective. He is sent for as the head of his society to clean up the fearfully immoral conditions prevailing in an Alaskan mining camp. Unknown to Hendricks, Myra is the sinister influence of the camp, where she conducts a dance hall. The mystery of the place is the presence there of a beautiful unsullied young girl known as Velma. She is supposed to be Myra's niece. Despite the vicious conditions surrounding her, Velma is innocent of evil, with the pure heart of a young girl. Hendricks falls in love with her, but Myra has already promised the girl to the bully of the camp, a huge, uncouth ruffian, who has "struck it rich" and who can pay Myra's price for Velma. Father Harrigan comes to the assistance of the good little girl and is pleased to learn of her true love for Hendricks. However, to prevent Hendricks marrying the girl, Myra reveals her identity to him, who hitherto had not suspected it, and declares that Velma is his own daughter, the offspring of their illicit relationship years before. Driven half mad by the hideous lie, Hendricks sets out in pursuit of the bully who has carried off Velma after a desperate fight in Myra's dance hall in which the woman is fatally wounded. Eventually he comes to grips with the ruffian. The bully goes to a fearful death, while fate unravels Hendricks' tangled love and he gathers Velma in his arms after her true identity was revealed by the dying Myra.

Dir: Emile Chautard

When a judge is financially ruined by Peter Brownley, a Wall Street millionaire, his daughter seeks revenge by getting a job in the tycoon's office. She manages to discover information that she believes her father can use to recover his swindled money and do to Peter what he did to her father. However, she meets and falls in love with Robert, the son of the man who ruined her father. Complications ensue.

Dir: Emile Chautard

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Friday the 13th perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Habitual unfaithful husband, Jack Freeman begins flirting with the coquettish Effie McKenzie, and so breaks up her marriage. Blanche Gordon, a friend of Jack's wife Louise, then comes to see Jack several times in order to plead with him to give up extramarital affairs and accept the responsibilities that go with being a husband. Blanche's husband Tom, however, misunderstands these meetings and insists on a separation. When Jack is murdered, all of the evidence implicates Tom. At the trial, though, Blanche tries to take the blame for the murder, thereby making Tom realize that she really does love him. Just as Tom is about to confess in order to save Blanche, Effie's husband breaks down and admits to being the killer, after which Tom and Blanche are reunited.

Dir: Emile Chautard

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Emile Chautard

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

General Wayne, a proud old American patriot, and his two sons: Captain Stephen Wayne, an army officer, and Anthony Wayne, a successful young portrait painter, valiantly maintain the tradition of the Wayne family honor. Anthony is engaged to Doris Leighton, a girl of refinement, but he becomes infatuated with Marcia Quesnay, emotional actress and enchantress. He disgraces his family by his devotion to her, and, lured on by her demands, abandons his promising career. Stephen Wayne, meeting her in an endeavor to compel her to release Anthony from his unfortunate entanglement, falls sincerely in love with her and she with him. Later, with the dawning of this first real love of her life. Marcia renounces her butterfly life and becomes a tender and self-sacrificing woman. She returns all of Anthony's gifts, giving them to Stephen for safe keeping. In order to disillusion Anthony she causes him to believe she is only a common woman and he turns from her in disgust. Led on by Eric Mainwaring, an actor in love with Marcia, who tells Anthony that Marcia is a woman to be bought and not loved, Anthony is persuaded to steal from his father's safe government funds placed there by Stephen, and is cheated of the money at cards by Eric. Stephen, discovering the theft, goes to Marcia's apartment to confront her with the result of her influence over Anthony, and is there in time to rescue her from Eric, who comes with the money he has cheated from Anthony, to persuade Marcia to go abroad with him. Stephen forces Eric to disgorge the stolen funds and to leave in fear o£ the authorities. The following morning Anthony, penniless, an outcast and a thief, is saved from committing suicide by Doris. His father discovering the theft and accusing Anthony, urges him on to suicide, telling his son that honorable death is better than a life of dishonor. Stephen arrives with Marcia in time to avert the tragedy, telling a lie to save Anthony in the eyes of his father and Doris, that it was he (Stephen) who took the money from the safe, at the same time producing the bills to substantiate his claim. A general reconciliation follows. When his father sees Marcia standing beside Stephen he fears that this other son has been ensnared, but Stephen tells them that they have all misjudged her, and that she is going to enhance the family honor by becoming his wife.

Dir: Emile Chautard

Father John is a rag-picker, well known at the Halles. A good man with many good qualities he has but one defect; he is fond of the bottle. He is intoxicated when he meets Garousse, a man ruined by gambling and reduced to the humble trade of a rag-picker. He will not listen to Father John's exhortations. As it happens, a collection clerk, Didier is returning from his round. Garousse does not recoil from murdering the man and makes off with the money. It is in vain that John tries to interfere; Garousse pushes him off, half strangles him and runs away. In front of Didier's body, John swears to keep away from drink forever, and takes home with him. Marie Didier, the grandchild of the victim. Fifteen years later. Father John lives a happy life with Marie, now a dressmaker. Garousse, by means of the stolen money, has become the Baron Hoffman. He has a daughter whom he wishes to wed to Henry Berville, his partner's son. Claire Hoffman has a child from some illicit love, and she has him brought up secretly. By chance, Henry Berville, while out for a walk, comes across Marie Didier, giving alms to poor women. Baron Hoffman is informed by a telegram that he is a ruined man. He informs his daughter of the disaster and she declares she will do all she can to save him. Unfortunately. Henry Berville does not love Claire. Baron Hoffman is soon satisfied as to the reason of his refusal when, on Marie Didier being introduced, he notices the tender intimacy that seems to exist between the two young people. He decides to see to it and to put Marie out of the way of Berville. Baron Hoffman secures the assistance of Mme. Patard, a midwife, and orders, in return for 10,000 francs, the disappearance of the child; but Mme. Patard prefers to hand over the child to Marie Didier, in whose kindness she has confidence. Marie not being at home, Mme. Patard leaves the child in her place. Marie was then at a masked ball, where, insulted by some man, she had been protected by Henry. When she returns home, she finds the child. It never entered her mind to take it to the Foundling Hospital, and keeps it with her. The same night, Father John finds in his basket, the rolls of bills lost by Patard. Baron Hoffman calls on Marie, whom he has followed after a meeting with Henry, and asks her to give up the young man. Learning that the young girl has a child with her, he seeks information and soon learns, by the coincidence of dates, who it is. He writes to Mme. Patard, stating that he knows he has been duped and that her only chance of pardon lies in the disappearance of the child. 50,000 francs is to be the price of that disappearance. As soon as he is satisfied that the midwife has secured the child, he writes to the magistrate and informs him that Marie Didier has done away with the child, whom, she states, has been stolen from her. Marie is arrested. On reading the paper, Father John learns of Marie's arrest, and also the name of the person who has lost 10,000 francs in notes. He sees that it is a plot against the girl. He endeavors to find the author of that vengeance, and calls on the midwife. After some prolonged questioning, John gets hold of the facts; he understands the part played by Mme. Patard and knows that the money was paid out by the baron. He calls on him and the two men, without seeming to do so, recognize each other. Garousse-Hoffman recollects that Father John was formerly fond of drink. Forgetting his oath, Father John gets intoxicated and Garousse steals the papers containing the proof of the crime. This, however, does not deter Father John, and his desire to save Marie is not to he swerved. He finds the means to enlist the sympathy of the magistrate, and, by the aid of a detective, Mme. Patard makes a full confession. She is arrested. Accompanied by two policemen, he repairs to the baron's house, who, by means of stratagem, is made to confess that he really is the murderer of Didier. Marie Didier, upon being set free, weds Henry Berville.

Dir: Emile Chautard

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Le roman d'un caissier perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Vivacious little Gilberte, known as Frou Frou, is the daughter of M. Brigard, a retired merchant, who has as his companion in a life of gaiety, Comte Paul de Valreas, a much younger man. Both the Count and Henry de Sartorys are in love with Frou Frou, and when De Sartorys asks for the hand of Frou Frou, M. Brigard refers him to Louise, the elder daughter, who is in charge of the household. To Louise, who loves de Sartorys, comes the first anguish of her life, when he confides his love for Frou Frou. However, she confers with her little sister who agrees to marry De Sartorys. Paul also asks for Frou Frou's hand, but Brigard refuses, stating he is too jolly a companion to be trusted as a son-in-law. Five years pass, and although Frou Frou adores her son Georgie, the calm role of a homemaker does not suit her, and on one of Louise's visits she realizes her own place has been usurped, as both De Sartorys and Georgie go to her for advice. Paul still loves Frou Frou, but she fights against her growing attraction for him, and begs him to go away. Finding she is no longer necessary for the happiness of her husband and son, after a furious tirade against Louise, she leaves and joins Paul in Venice. Paul's mother receives her, and the next day, De Sartorys, who has followed, finds her, and despite her pleas, fights a duel with Paul, in which Paul is killed. Out of the loneliness and sorrow of the ensuing months her soul is chastened, and she returns to ask her husband one last favor, that she be allowed to die in the house she entered as a bride. Although Louise also pleads for her he at first refuses; but when Frou Frou, formerly so light-hearted and care-free, pleads on her knees, he can no longer deny her, and the two meet in a tearful embrace. Her life closes with a semblance of happiness, as she gives to Louise the two that are closest to her, her husband and son.

Dir: Emile Chautard

With the $1,000 prize money that wharf rat Michael Regan wins boxing, he is able to purchase a saloon and a freight-handling concern and begin his rise to success. By persuading his men to work for half the standard rate, Regan gains control of grain-shipping contracts held by his rival, the once wealthy James Griswold, now on the verge of bankruptcy because of Regan. When Regan meets and falls in love with Emily Griswold, he offers to merge with Griswold for permission to court Emily. She marries Regan, but remains a wife in name only. When Griswold's son provokes a strike, Regan's friend, Porkey McCoy, hits the young Griswold with a brick as he makes a speech. Regan is arrested as an instigator, but McCoy's wife insists that her husband confess. In prison, Regan turns over his property to Emily and releases her from their marriage, but she has grown to love him and refuses. When he is released, they resume their marriage and become the godparents to McCoy's son.

Dir: Emile Chautard

During an entertainment given by Engineer Dechelette, the former model Fanny Legrand comes across Jean Gaussin D'Armondy, who is studying law in Paris. On the eve of breaking away from her, he happens to hear that she is no other than the celebrated Sapho, Sapho called on Jean from time to time at his student's quarters and after nursing him through a long illness, she succeeds in deciding him to keep her with him. Sapho is happy in finding a small apartment where they shelter their love. One day the sculptor, Goudal, lifted a corner of the veil that hid Sapho's past. This made Jean jealous and Sapho appeased him by the surrender of her old letters. The sudden blaze of those innumerable papers caused the chimney of the house to catch fire. Neighbors rushed in and among the rescuers, Sapho recognized her father, the old driver. Ashamed, she dreaded that Jean's refined nature would take umbrage at the new stain. The initial frail link has been turned into a solid chain that nothing can break. At times Jean is indignant and revolts, but Sapho always gets the better of him. After some high words with Sapho, and on the invitation of his uncle Cesaire, Jean takes a trip to his home. As soon as he returns, Sapho regains her hold on him. Rosario Sanchez, a former friend of Sapho, whom she has made stewardess of her mansion, invites Jean and his mistress to luncheon. On that occasion, Rosario introduces Jean to DePotter, the celebrated musician. Sapho's friends make fun of her disinterested love. Disgusted at his bondage, DePotter tells Jean, as an example of what he is to expect of the hard life he leads with Rosario. A few days later, it is decided to leave the mansion and go to live at Chaville, close to the Hetteman's. At the pressing request of Sapho, Jean adopts a child, in total ignorance that the child is the son of Flamant, condemned for forgery. That day, in celebration of their installation at Chaville, they all have a picnic in the woods. It is there that they meet Irene Bouchereau, niece of the family doctor. This causes a terrible quarrel, which is only stopped by the sound of Hetteman's horn. One day Dr. Bouchereau meets Jean in a train and invites him to his house. The young people are pleased with each other. Then comes Jean on the eve of marrying the doctor's niece. Sapho compels him to give up all thoughts of marriage. Recognizing that his life is irretrievably bound with that of Sapho, Jean announces to his family that he is going abroad with his friend. His family reproaches and even curses him, especially his father. However, he learns that his mistress has received a visit from her former lover, the father of the child, and maddened by jealousy he insists that Sapho go with him to America. Fortunately for him, it is she who leaves him.