Cinematic Discoveries Resonating with the Themes of Shanghai Madnes...

Dir: William Parke

Bruce Wendell, the son of West Virginia coal mine owner James Wendell, graduates from West Point and prepares to lead a fighting unit to the front during World War I. As his father lies dying, however, he convinces Bruce to remain at home and guard the mine. Bruce's fiancée Ann Blair assumes that he is a coward and breaks off their engagement, but her brother Bobbie remains Bruce's loyal friend. Meyer, a German agent, persuades railroad president Parrish to refuse to transport Wendell's coal, but when Bruce adamantly refuses to close the mine, the spy's men decide to blow it up. While Ann is being abducted by Meyer, Bobbie is buried in an explosion at the mine. Bruce rescues Bobbie and then sends a plea to Lieutenant Parrish to rescue Ann. Meyer and his gang are captured and Ann renews her vow of love to Bruce.

Dir: Frank Beal

During a raging Montana snowstorm, Doctor Jim Barnes collapses at Esther Anderson's cabin door. Esther offers Jim refuge, but when he discovers that their food supplies are running dangerously low, he braves the journey into town in order to replenish them. On the way, he is overcome with exhaustion and fails to return. Esther, unaware of Jim's condition and abused by her stepfather, joins a theatrical troop and leaves home. Time passes and Jim finally finds Esther, but a vindictive member of her troupe accuses her of having an affair with the manager and Jim believes the accusation. He leaves and Esther goes to New York City where she becomes engaged to a jealous artist, although she still loves Jim. Sam Tuttle, a long time friend, is aware of Esther's continuing love, and so brings Jim to New York City in time to save Esther from an unhappy marriage.

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

Dir: John G. Blystone

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: John G. Blystone

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

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

Dir: Dallas M. Fitzgerald

Confidence artist Flossie Golden attempts to fleece foolish but wealthy James Venable with a breach-of-promise suit. Venable's shrewd attorney, Richard Harding, outwits Flossie by proposing that she marry Venable and live on an allowance of $3,000 per year. Flossie is determined to get even with Harding for ruining her plans. In an attempt to con him, she poses as Innocence Page, but falls in love and marries him instead. Larry, Flossie's former accomplice, endeavors to blackmail her with her errant past, but Harding is already cognizant of the facts and Larry fails.

Dir: John G. Blystone

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

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

Dir: Harley Knoles

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: John G. Blystone

Pansy Pickles was the step-daughter of Peter Pickles who kept the most fashionable boarding house in Corncob Corner. He had ambitions of either sending Pansy to school or marry her off so that he could live comfortably from his son-in-law. Pa Pickles receives a letter from some attorneys stating this his step-daughter's uncle died and left a vast estate but that Pansy was not mentioned in the will. At and the same time the school teacher who taught Pansy her P's and Q's, received a letter stating that his inheritance was being shipped by express. The station agent hears of this inheritance and knows right well old Pa Pickles will favor the school teacher. He takes a bank book from one of the men, crosses out the name and puts his name on it, adding several figures too. Pansy goes off to school, but when teacher calls the roll, Pansy is not present. He sends a notice to her Pa, who searches for her, finds her sitting in a tree reading a book. He throws a stone at her and she falls right into the school room under the spanking machine. She, in turn, throws the teacher under the spanking machine and the poor fellow has matches in his pocket, that burn and blaze like fury. Pa Pickles finds the bank book with the station agent's name on it and decides that Pansy shall marry the agent. Some one put's Pa wise that it isn't his book at all, and the agent is thrown out. The wealthiest man in town is at the wedding and offers his son as a groom, the minister sets them up again and just as he's about to pronounce them man and wife, Pa discovers that the bridegroom isn't worth a cent, and he too is thrown out. Pansy is thoroughly disgusted now and changes place with another girl who has come to the wedding. This time the school teacher is pronounced bridegroom and they are married. His inheritance comes at the same time and to Pa's dismay he finds it is a pig, he is just about to murder the teacher he discovers the change in brides. Pa gets a bridegroom whom Pansy likes and they are married with a whoop and hooray.

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

Dir: Wilfred Lucas

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: Charles Horan

While working as a flower girl in Devlin Maddox's nightclub, Nellie Vaughan meets wealthy young Pelton Van Teel and falls in love. Maddox, desirous of using Nellie to blackmail Van Teel, spreads a rumor that she is his mistress. This makes Nellie uncomfortable, and she demands that Van Teel marry her immediately, to which he agrees. Meanwhile, Van Teel has been losing money gambling to Maddox, who threatens to break up the marriage by producing a worthless check that the young husband has written. Venturing to Maddox's apartment for a showdown, Nellie pulls a gun and demands the check, accidentally shooting Maddox when he throws a lamp at her. Maddox plans to charge Nellie with assault, but when the police arrive, his butler, actually a detective employed by the elder Van Teel, exposes Maddox, who is then arrested, clearing the path for the couple's happiness.