The Recommended Vault Deeply Connected to Swat the Spy: Cult Guide

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

Lee is being tried for his cruel treatment of his mother-in-law. He is supposed to have choked, bound and gagged her and done away with her parrot Clementina. Even the jury shed tears at the sad tale. Lee is sentenced to twenty-five years hard labor, and he is so happy he kisses the judge and shakes hands with the prosecuting attorney. Then he tells the judge how his mother-in-law abused him, and how the parrot followed him day and night. When Lee gets through with his story, the Judge lets him go and forces the mother-in-law to abdicate with her parrot which flies into the courtroom and hides behind the flag for protection.

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

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

When their father is reported missing at the front during World War I, Jane and Katherine are stamped and sent by parcel post across the country to their Aunt Lucille Forrest in New Jersey. The two girls manage to smuggle their dog into the mail bag as well. Aunt Lucille is in love with Lt. Tom Hayes, but she is angry with him after he resigns his commission at the start of the war. She does not know that Tom is in the Secret Service, and she becomes jealous of a female spy whom Tom is trailing. Jane and Katherine's mischievous pranks finally assist in capturing the spy and the secret plans, and getting Aunt Lucille back together with Tom.

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

The historic (and comedic) game between the Snipeville Katydids and the Poseyville Caterpillars, with Lee on the mound for the former and Mike in the box for the latter team, is shown.

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

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

Peggy and her father are thrown out on the street by a heartless landlord. They go to the park and find a nice, hard bench to lie on. Pal, their dog, tramps along with them. The park officer does everything in his power to get Peggy and her father to move away, but Peggy is always frustrating his heartless plans. In the park two robbers are looking over their spoils. Peggy, who has been dodging the cop, chances upon them. They throw the spoils over in the comer of a bush when they see the officer, and Peggy picks up the bag and walks off with it. The cop follows the crooks, who are following Peggy - and before they know it they all have walked into the station-house. The crooks are arrested, the jewels are found and Peggy receives a worthy reward.

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

There is a domestic squabble between two families living in the same house. The wives have a disagreement and the husbands take it up, finally coming to blows. In the midst of the fight they are flabbergasted to find that the wives are again the best of friends.

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

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

The scout troop give a circus in which they use the dogs belonging to nearly everybody in town and the owners break up the show by seeking to reclaim their pets.

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

Buddy, a homeless orphan, is the life of the old orphanage where Sadie and Ella are both in love with him. Ella tries her best to take Buddy away from Sadie. The time comes when Buddy leaves the orphanage and the two brokenhearted girls are left behind. While Buddy is making his way through life as a very fine caddy on the neighboring golf links, Ella and Sadie are adopted by respectable families. It is while Buddy is in the act of stealing a pie that he again meets Ella, but fate is kind to him and he once more finds Sadie, who wins over her foster-mother to adopt Buddy also.

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

Baby Peggy as the mischievous child of doting and fussy parents.

Dir: Arvid E. Gillstrom

After a busy day of playing pranks on their father's servants and guests, Harry Williams' daughters Jane and Katherine tumble into bed and fall asleep. Having seen a film depicting World War I fighting in Europe, little Jane dreams that two armies, consisting entirely of mechanical dolls, are advancing against each other in battle. While Trik leads the German troops, who are guilty of committing a score of atrocities, Trak heads the Allied army, which ultimately wins the war. In the end, Jane awakens with a start to find that it has all been a dream.