Editor's Top Picks Following the Footsteps of Passing the Buck: Cult Guide

Dir: Larry Semon

Larry Semon plays a salesman whose stuttering provides a comedic hurdle as he interacts with various characters.

Dir: Larry Semon

Larry falls afoul of wanted criminal Gentleman Joe, who runs a saloon full of tough guys and gunslingers.

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

Dir: Larry Semon

The story follows Larry as he attempts to help his sweetheart escape an unwanted wedding to a wealthy but unattractive suitor. The film concludes with a high-speed chase involving a car and a bed.

Dir: Larry Semon

Larry Semons is sent to collect unpaid rent in a rough neighborhood where "Babe" Hardy as the local boss won't give up easily.

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

Dir: Larry Semon

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Larry Semon

Big Ben has the largest store in the town of New Ralgia. His chief clerk is in love with the post mistress. The three of them get involved in a series of mishaps with their customers and with the town ladies' man, whose advances conceal a more sinister purpose.

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

Dir: Larry Semon

A government official staying in a hotel puts some important secret papers in the hotel safe. A ring of spies out to get the papers manages to steal them from the safe, and a lady government agent enlists the help of the hotel's bumbling bellhop in getting back the papers and breaking up the spy ring.

Dir: Larry Semon

Larry is the booby sheriff of a Western town named Beer Bottle Bend, whose lawlessness matched his witlessness. A demure little thing from the East arrives on the same stage with a consignment of $100,000 to the sheriff, and the town proceeds to celebrate. After reforming the champion "elbow-bender" of the community, the demure one inspires the sheriff to action against the lawless element. The $100,000 changes hands in rapid and humorous fashion, and finally comes into the possession of the demure thing who had followed the cash all the way from New York. Larry proceeds to make a few cursory remarks on women.

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

Dir: Larry Semon

Larry applies for a job as a revenue officer, ready to catch bootleggers.

Dir: Larry Semon

Larry is a mighty hunter, unafraid of rabbits, canaries and field mice, and also quite unafraid of the hundred-off wives of the Sultan, but he reverts to Semonesque agility when a half dozen lions are let loose in the conservatory.