The Auteur's Selection Complementing the Tone of The Cost: Cult Guide

Dir: Harley Knoles

Evelyn Carmichael, a poor widow aware that she is about to die, writes to her wealthy father-in-law Lord Carmichael, who had disowned his son years earlier, pleading that he rescue his granddaughter Geraldine, known as Jerry, from a life in the slums. Lord Carmichael, an avowed woman-hater since his wife disappeared years earlier with his brother, expects Jerry to be a boy and is appalled to find otherwise. However, the lord is won over by Jerry's sweetness, and when Jim Dawson, a neighbor of Jerry's from the tenements, arrives at Carnimore Castle with his daughter Sophia, whom he is trying to pass off as Jerry, the lord exposes them as impostors and then expels them from his castle. Meanwhile, Jerry has also won over the hearts of the servants, whom she is drilling into a play army. One day, while on an excursion into an unused tower of the castle, they discover a locked room in which reside two skeletons. A note near one of the skeletons explains that Lord Carmichael's wife and his brother had been exploring the tower when the lock sprung and trapped them, causing their deaths. Lord Carmichael, realizing that his wife didn't betray him, has his faith in women restored and makes Jerry mistress of the castle.

Dir: Harley Knoles

A social-climbing young woman marries Robert, a rich alcoholic, for his money. Although basically a good man, when drunk Robert treats her as if she's just one more thing he owns, and not his wife. Realizing her mistake, she leaves him. Her brother-in-law believes that the two of them actually do love each other, and sets out to bring them back together.

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

Dir: Harley Knoles

In the little kingdom of Balkany lived a king and queen who were not liked by their subjects. His Majesty was King John the Fifth, and Her Royal Highness was Queen Vesta. To them was born a daughter, the Princess Honore, who was placed in the convent of the Holy Sisters. The little kingdom rebelled against the extravagance of King John, and an attack was made upon the castle. Both the king and queen were assassinated. Princess Honore succeeded to the throne. In love with her and coveting the crown was Baron Stefano, Prime Minister, but his love was not returned. This incurred the ill-will of the Prime Minister, who set out to overthrow the little kingdom and turn it into a republic with himself as ruler. Prince Boris renounced his title and cast his lot with the peasantry. He was loved by the common folk and proved a leader. During the annual fair people gathered in the capital from far and near. There were rumors of an uprising. The young queen had not brought about much change in the conduct of the official household. The extravagance had continued to eat up the revenue raised by the heavy tax, and the people were protesting and demanding that something be done for their relief. These rumors reached the girl queen, and clad in the garments of a peasant girl she went forth during the fair to learn what she could. In this way she soon learned of her disfavor. One day she met Prince Boris, who told her of conditions that existed. One of the government spies, overhearing his conversation, suspected that he was forming a plot against the young queen, who was not recognized by the spy because of her disguise. The spy hastily informed the Prime Minister, who ordered the arrest of Prince Boris. The soldiers were dispatched, and Prince Boris was placed under arrest. The young queen protested. She as his companion was also confined to the prison. The chief of the Royal Guard notified the Prime Minister of the arrest, telling him that during the struggle with the queen she defied him by proclaiming that she was the queen, and this aroused the suspicions of the Prime Minister. Alone he went to the dungeon and discovered that Boris's companion really is the queen. It dawned upon him that now he had her in his power, he will force her to make him her king consort, or bring about conditions that will speedily overthrow the government. Meanwhile Lesbia, a peasant girl, learns of the conspiracy and through her love for one Ivan, sergeant of the Royal Guard, she secured the release of the queen, who escaped in safety to the Royal castle. Next morning the queen heard the tolling of the prison bell. On asking her secretary what it indicated, she was told that her sweetheart, the Prince Boris, was to be executed at sunrise. She rushed into the office of the Prime Minister and forbid the execution. He laughed at her. Back in the village, outside the prison wall, the soldiers were drawn up to execute Prince Boris. But the people saw their beloved leader. rushed forward, overpowered the soldiers and released him from his bonds. An attack was then made on the castle. Prince Boris discovered his peasant girl companion to be none other than her Royal Highness, Queen Honore. The people were for revenge, but the queen told them of the Prime Minister's conduct and followed by her the crowd attacked Baron Stefano, which resulted in his death. The queen accepted Prince Boris as her beloved king consort.

Dir: Harley Knoles

As a prank, college student William Lewis and some of his friends break into a house and are interrupted by a policeman who is accidentally shot. Will's friend Sid accuses Will of the shooting, but Will manages to escape and moves to a large city far away. He meets and marries Alice Hamilton, and they later have a daughter, Editha. Will has a job as a bank teller and everything is going fine--until Sid shows up one day and threatens to expose Will as the man who killed the officer unless Will helps him rob the bank. Complications ensue.

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

Dir: Harley Knoles

Jo March and her sisters Meg, Beth, and Amy live in a happy family in Concord, Massachusetts. Jo yearns to be a writer, and through the course of the years, finds much within her own family to write about.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Helene, who dances in a Greenwich Village cabaret accompanied on the violin by her grandfather, loses her job after his death. She then is hired as a portrait model by four artists--Jaffrey Darrel, Ned Lorrimer, Dick Turner and Stanley Sargent--all of whom become fascinated with her. Helene leaves the Village when Ned's jealousy disrupts the camaraderie of the quartet and becomes a stage star. Meanwhile, all of the artists have attained success except Jaffrey, who refuses to taint his art with commercialism. Helene, learning of Jaffrey's failure, visits him in the Village and accepts his marriage proposal.

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

Dir: Harley Knoles

After an explosion that sinks a yacht, Elma is shipwrecked with Micah, who claims her father ruined him by stealing the plans of a valuable machine.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Divorcée Adrienne Van Couver visited clairvoyant Mme. Melvina, who tells her that a tall dark man, Robert Warren, is excited over a letter he has just received from her, telling him she does not love him. The fortuneteller bids her beware of him, then tells her that Henry Armstrong, the man she loves, will never love her. The clairvoyant then tells Adrienne of a young girl, Lorraine, whose eyes are dim with the tears that she has caused in another part of the city, Lorraine greets her fiancé, Henry Armstrong, with ill-concealed dejection and he tells her he fears she still loves John Dean, but she dispels his suspicions. John Dean shares the secret of his silent love for Lorraine with his mother. Robert Warren goes out into the night; it is then he meets John. In the other's haggard face, John Dean sees traces of his own sorrow and trying to make it easier for this man who has been his friend for five years, he tells Robert Warren his story. Eight years ago he and Adrienne were married. For two years they lived on the money inherited from his father. It was then the baby came and the father found happiness in the touch of baby hands, but to his wife it made no difference. Then the baby became ill, and while its mother was away dancing, the little life slipped away. Six months later Adrienne was given a divorce. Then he and his mother came to New York and a few years later he met and loved Lorraine Barkley. Although Henry Armstrong was a dangerous rival, Lorraine loved him and he did not fear until the day when the Barkleys gave a reception. It was then he met Adrienne again and she taunted him with his love for the young girl. When she demanded money, he gave it to her. Lorraine sees this and misconstrues the situation. It is then her engagement to Henry Armstrong is announced. John finishes his story and Robert is maddened by the destruction of the halo he had built around the woman he loved. Robert makes his way to Adrienne, who has been nervous and ill at ease ever since she returned from the fortune teller. Robert's haggard appearance frightens her and she telephones Henry, but her call for help is only half-uttered when Robert forcibly takes the instrument from her. Alarmed, Henry starts off at once to help her. Meanwhile, John, fearful for Adrienne's safety, goes to warn her. He arrives just after Robert has made his escape after murdering Adrienne. When Henry arrives with two policemen, he finds John bending over the dead woman. He is arrested. Lorraine is brokenhearted when she hears of the arrest and pleads with Henry, who is a lawyer, to take Dean's case. Detectives search Robert's apartment and find here a coat with buttons similar to one found in the dead woman's hand, and one is missing. They trace Robert to the hotel and after a terrible fight he is taken into custody. Happiness came with the morning, for Henry took Lorraine's hand and told her she was released from her promise to marry him. Then she called up John Dean and told him that she was ready to marry him.

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

Dir: Harley Knoles

Agatha, called "Miss Petticoats," is daughter of a French nobleman and an American woman, lives with her grandfather, Captain Joel Stewart, since the death of her mother years before. Knowing nothing of her royal heritage, Agatha gladly takes a job as secretary to the wealthy Sarah Copeland, whose nephew, Guy Hamilton, immediately begins pursuing the new employee. Jealous of Agatha, one of Guy's former sweethearts, Mrs. Worth Courtleigh, starts spreading rumors about her, and when Joel hears a particularly scandalous one, he dies of shock. Taking Agatha away from all the gossip, Sarah sails with her to Europe, where Agatha finally learns about her bloodline, and also discovers that she is the heiress to a fortune. Then, when she and Sarah return home, Agatha forgives all the people who believed the rumors, and marries the Reverend Ralph Harding, who was always certain of her innocence.

Dir: Harley Knoles

Following the death of her father, a Maine trapper, Jennie Cox moves to New York to earn her living. She is aided by a close friend, Professor Rolfe, who secures a typing position for her, but just as she loses the job through the schemes of a jealous co-worker, Rolfe dies, and Jennie is left alone and nearly penniless. With her last three dollars, she decides to have a good meal at the elegant Claridge, and there she meets Billy West, a wealthy man who is in the process of obtaining a divorce. Billy offers Jennie a job as his housekeeper, and soon she learns that he is an avid gambler. Billy is accustomed to losing moderate amounts of money, but when Henry Walker fleeces him out of $12,000, both Jennie and Billy's ex-wife Cora come to his rescue. After Cora hands him the money and departs, Billy proposes to his housekeeper.