Visionary Picks Drawn from the Same DNA as Pegeen: Cult Guide

Dir: David Smith

"King" McAllister's word is law, judge, and jury in the cattle country where he lives with his daughter Panchita. His foreman, Price Purcell, believed he had a chance of winning Panchita's hand until the arrival of Buck Lumsden, who settled all doubts concerning the likely winner. Buck did not make a hit at first because he was "down and out" but he lingers and is made foreman of the year's round-up which was not altogether to Purcell's liking. Purcell plans to ruin Buck in the estimation of the boss as well as Panchita. After the round-up, all adjourn to the dance hall and gambling resort to celebrate, and Purcell lures Buck into a roulette game. Buck loses not only his own money but a large amount belonging to McAllister. Purcell returns to McAllister with the news of Buck's disloyalty. Buck has married Panchita. He is obliged to flee the country and sets out to raise enough money to repay McAllister for the amount he had lost to Purcell.

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

Jim McDonald, the foreman of a shipbuilding plant and head of the labor union, strives to combat the anarchistic propaganda being put forth by Klimoff, the leader of a Bolshevik gang whose goal is to disrupt the country with strikes and anarchy. Despite McDonald's efforts, a strike is called, resulting in chaos. McDonald's child is knocked down by runaway horses abandoned by their striking driver, and dies. Mob scenes take place in America, as well as in Russia. Eventually, the unrest is quelled with an armistice called between Capital and Labor for a year, during which time wages are to be increased to reflect the cost of living, and leaders are to work out a common plan for their mutual advantage. The strikers now realize that they have been pawns of the Bolsheviks and call off the strike, agreeing to the plan.

Dir: David Smith

Peggy Winston, the boss of a lumber camp left to her by her father, is loved by all the "jacks" of the camp. When Clayton Hargis, the son of a millionaire ship builder visits to contract for the camp's entire output, Peggy, deeply affected by him, rescues him when he falls into dangerous waters, but Clayton remains ignorant of her affection. Peggy accepts the invitation of Clayton's sister to join them in the city, and after trading her corduroys and spiked shoes for silks, blossoms into a beautiful woman. Heartbroken when she sees Clayton's fiancée embrace him, Peggy leaves and lives a week in the city after pawning her clothes. In Peggy's absence, the title to the camp is taken over by a friend of Clayton's. The friend and Clayton, who now realizes that he loves Peggy, search for her at the camp. After the hostile lumberjacks lock them in a cabin and plant dynamite underneath it, Peggy arrives, quells the riot, and saves them. Clayton straightens out the title of the camp, and confesses his love for Peggy.

Dir: Wilfred Lucas

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

Brian O'Farrell (Snowy Baker), is an English 'new chum' who takes a job at an Australian cattle station. He is teased by station hands because of his appearance (including spats and a monocle) but he soon impresses them with his skills at riding and boxing. The station manager, John MacDonald (Wilfred Lucas), takes O'Farrell to Sydney to meet his daughter Edith (Kathleen Key) who is working in the slums. Edith is kidnapped by criminals after witnessing a crime but O'Farrell rescues her. It is later revealed he is the owner of the station.

Dir: David Smith

Peggy (Bessie Love) and her sister Frances (Myrtle Reeves) live with their father, but because of his idleness, they must all move to humbler quarters. Peggy adapts quickly to their new surrounding, while Frances misses the social life she once enjoyed. Their neighbors are well off, and Peggy begins a romance with their son, whom she thinks is the chauffeur. Meanwhile, Frances has become involved with a roguish character and plans to elope with him. Peggy saves her sister from imminent disgrace, but comes close to compromising herself instead. Peggy's sweetheart comes to her rescue and now his true identity is revealed to the very grateful girl.

Dir: David Smith

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

Willie Robbins loses his heart to Myra Allison, the prettiest and liveliest girl in San Augustine, but she laughs at him and taunts him. Soon after the Spanish-American War starts, Willie volunteers and plunges madly into danger, and wins a captaincy by capturing a Spanish general. Myra marries Joe Cranberry, but when Willie hears of this, he seems indifferent. After the war Willie returns to San Augustine and is met by the Mayor, a brass band, and schoolgirls. He is the hero of the occasion. After the welcome, Willie makes for the little white cottage of Joe Cranberry. Myra is on the porch, untidy and unattractive. Willie waltzes up to her and the joke is on Myra.

Dir: David Smith

The Hollisters, a bright, spirited, wholesome family, are compelled to move into the country. After many efforts to secure a home, Shirley, eldest of the Hollisters, contrives a way out by renting a magnificent old stone barn at a ridiculously low price, transforming it into a house. The owner of the barn is not an ordinary landlord, as you will see, for he is a young man with fine ideals, and he is not content with establishing Shirley and her family in the quaintly beautiful old place, but makes the world a much happier place to live in for all of them

Dir: David Smith

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

A hobo hires out as a sheepman. The owner of the ranch is a mysterious individual, who is suspected of being Black Bill, a badly wanted man.

Dir: Bruno Ziener

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Alexander Butler

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