Rare Cinematic Gems Sharing the Atmosphere of Salome: Cult Guide

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

A young Frenchman kills his best friend in a drunken fight. He vows to never touch another drop of liquor, but he goes back to the bottle when he hooks up with seductive Blanche Le Noir, and is soon an alcoholic. Blanche, however, prefers the sinister Lantier, and tries to use Lantier's daughter to get to him. However, the daughter is saved by the efforts of young American RIchard Lee, who marries her. Unfortunately, Lee's sister is seduced by Lantier. Complications ensue.

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

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

Du Barry attracts the attention of the King of France as he rides through the streets. A meeting follows, she losing her garter and the King his heart. Installed at court, Du Barry holds the King's favor in spite of her love for a soldier. The King dies and Du Barry plans to wed her soldier sweetheart, but she falls a victim of the Revolution.

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

Lolette (Theda Bara), an exotic and spirited peasant girl lives In the small Spanish village of Juanguera. Although ardently courted by the native swains, and particularly a bandit called The Tiger, Lolette prefers Maurice Tabor, a French artist who has come to Juanguera to paint. Because he refuses to take her to Paris, Lolette accepts a gift of stolen jewels from The Tiger and follows Maurice to France. With Lolette as his model, Maurice paints brilliantly, and soon she becomes a Paris sensation. One evening, Lolette performs a Spanish dance on stage, and the next day, she signs contracts with a number of impresarios, accepting advance payment from all of them. Fearing her arrest, Maurice urges her to accompany him back to Spain, but The Tiger attacks their coach and imprisons them. At a feast held in her honor, however, Lolette urges The Tiger to drink, and when he is unconscious, she and Maurice escape.

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

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

After a love triangle results death, St. Elmo falls from grace and is eventually redeemed in this now lost silent film based on the best selling novel by Augusta Jane Wilson.

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

Jess takes care of her younger sister Bess, she has always been her primary consideration, since the death of her mother. Years later, the two sisters are living with their uncle on his plantation in Puerto Rico when they meet John Neil, who immediately falls in love with Jess. Upon realizing that Bess is in love with the same man, Jess sacrifices her own happiness for that of her sister. Soon after, Drummond, a corrupt planter, starts a revolution against the United States government, and in the ensuing war the plantation and all its inhabitants are captured. Jess escapes and rides to the American garrison for aid, but during the fight she is mortally wounded. Her dying words are a blessing upon Neil and her sister Bess.

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

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

Lewis Victor of the French Foreign Legion is actually Bertie Cecil, a British nobleman hiding from dishonour for a crime actually committed by his brother. He is loved by Cigarette, a camp follower, but he only has eyes for another. The commandant hates him, and Victor is constantly placed in danger in war-torn Algeria. Then his brother arrives, and with him, a chance to clear his name.

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

Francesca Brabaut, who married an artist against her father's advice, regrets her decision when her husband Antoine, in debt, sends her to his misanthropic uncle to plead for money. After Francesca refuses the uncle's offer to change his will if she will have sex with him, the uncle, declaring that he has misjudged women, decides to leave money to provide for Francesca and her child but dies of heart failure first. Antoine inherits a castle and title and deserts Francesca. Later, while posing in Florence for an American artist, Francesca meets the artist's sweetheart, American heiress Cecily Blaine, whose mother wants her to marry someone with a title. When Francesca learns that Antoine plans to marry Cecily, she threatens to expose him, but he convinces Cecily that Francesca and the artist are married. Cecily then consents to marry Antoine. After Francesca and the artist are sent to the galleys unjustly for theft, Antoine is exposed. When he tries to kidnap their child, Francesca shoots him, whereupon Cecily marries the artist.

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

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

Faced with the tragic responsibility of choosing between the happiness of her 16-year-old daughter Pamela or saving the life of an innocent man, Marie Baudin's first impulse is to sacrifice all for her own. But she has second thoughts that bring complications to all.

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

Shakespeare's classic tale of ill-fated lovers whose deaths bring peace to their warring families.

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

Camille is a courtesan in Paris. She falls deeply in love with a young man of promise, Armand Duval. When Armand's father begs her not to ruin his hopes of a career and position by marrying Armand, she acquiesces and leaves her lover. However, when poverty and terminal illness overwhelm her, Camille discovers that Armand has not lost his love for her.