The Definitive Guide Deeply Connected to Telephones and Troubles: Cult Guide

Dir: J.A. Howe

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.A. Howe

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Wounded Hearts and Wedding Rings perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.A. Howe

Here's a film that will upset all your ideas of the Wild West. A parody of the great screen classic, "The Covered Wagon," it treats of the adventures of a band of pioneers who make their transcontinental trip in flivvers, meet with Indians who take the warpath on bicycles, and finally make their escape on a trolley car which runs across the prairie.

Dir: J.A. Howe

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

At the Come On Inn, Jimmy, the waiter, is sweet on Mlle. Twinkletoes. The manager interferes, and Jimmy leads him to believe that it was all part of the act, his loving Mlle. Twinkletoes. I.M. Ruff, warden of the jail, arrives with two of the Ruff family - and Jimmy is assigned to attend him. Through much carelessness and vengeance, Jimmy is finally forced to apologize to the warden. While he is doing so, the Count De Razzbury, picks the warden's pocket book from his pocket, and then, fearing detection, slips it into Jimmy's pocket. Jimmy is arrested - his explanations scoffed at. He is taken to prison. Mr. Ruff and his wife plan a reception, and Mlle. Twinkletoes is hired for the occasion. Count De Razzbury, the guest of honor, accepts the invitation, much to Miss Ruff's steady company's jealousy. While the warden is taking his morning exercise with the convicts, Jimmy manages by a ruse to escape, meets "the steady company" who invites him to take the place of the distinguished guest, and Jimmy does so. Upon being presented to Mr. Ruff, Jimmy receives reminders of the Hoosegow, and the warden suspects but is not sure, and later, when Jimmy's disguise ''slips" he recognizes his naked face. Mlle. Twinkletoes confesses to Jimmy's innocence - and Ruff believing, promises a $1000 could he but right the wrong. Jimmy , although badly beaten after his encounter with Ruff, comes to, and grabs the money before Buff can take back is offer.

Dir: J.A. Howe

Old man Hardscratch, the village nickel-nurser, a hard-hearted mortgage taxer, gives notice to the heroine and her people that unless they pay, he will put them into the street. The girl appeals to Jim for help, Strongarm, the blacksmith, brings Jim to his shop as his apprentice, Strongarm receives a present from his partner Gideon, with a letter, - the trained monkey, Minnie, Minnie gives Strongarm and Jim a chase about - while she sits on the roof of the shop and watches them, Strongarm leaves the shop in Jim's care - and during his absence Jim "shoes" a horse and receives two dollars from the owner for his work. With this money he buys milk for the hungry baby, the old man Hardscratch having refused to give it to the girl. The mean old man Hardscratch, while taking something from his pocket, accidentally drops a roll of bills, which Minnie finds and brings to Jim. There is much comedy business between Minnie and Jim. In the end, Jim has won the gratitude of the girl and her people by using this money to pay Hardscratch and chase him from the house.

Dir: J.A. Howe

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.A. Howe

At a Red Cross entertainment where pretty girls' kisses are sold to the highest bidder, one of the young women whose kisses are being sold becomes unbalanced, and forgetting that she is already married, promises her hand to two rival suitors, each of whom is to meet her at the depot with a minister. In the mix-up, the number of ministers invited to perform the ceremony increases, and in their eagerness to be in at the finish they take to bicycles in pursuit as the two lovers try to elude each other. Finally the husband of the young woman appears on the scene and puts an end to his wife's flirtations.

Dir: J.A. Howe

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

Jitney bus drivers are stealing business from the streetcar franchise, and work to sabotage the streetcar owner. The streetcar driver and company owner's daughter work together to save the business from ruin.

Dir: J.A. Howe

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.A. Howe

The competition between a rural jitney bus and a trolley car include lifting passengers onto cars with a derrick.