The Definitive Watchlist For Devotees of The Crippled Hand: Cult Guide

Dir: David Kirkland

A charming, attractive woman inadvertently causes a great disruption when she takes a job at a busy office by stealing the attention of all of her male co-workers--except the one she fancies.

Dir: David Kirkland

Dick Alden, a 12-year-old boy mistreated by his stepfather and picked on by the other residents of his village, is wrongly accused of setting fire to the local schoolhouse. He runs away but vows to take his revenge on the village. Years later he gets his chance when he returns to take over the mill he has inherited--he plans to close it down, which would throw most of the people out of work and destroy the economy. However, he runs into someone from his past that could put a halt to his plans.

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

Dir: David Kirkland

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: David Kirkland

Fred Blake sets out to avenge his mother who died of shock as the result of a raid by an outlaw gang. He discovers that a gang-member killed in the raid was the long-lost son (since childhood) of the wealthy Monroe family, so he impersonates him and intends to exact his revenge on the family.

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

Dir: David Kirkland

The title reflects what happens after unwanted pregnancy. Poster for the movie reads "Nothing like it ever before. See natural birth, an abortion, a blood transfusion, a real cesarean operation. If you faint easily, don't come in. Trained nurses at each show etc." I have not seen the movie, but it was mentioned in the book "Train Dreams" by Denis Johnson.

Dir: David Kirkland

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

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

Dir: David Kirkland

A self-appointed "love expert" tries to play cupid with uneven results.

Dir: David Kirkland

Dad Randall is forced to mortgage his cattle to pay a debt to Ivor Johnson, who has bought them after stealing the receipts for the money Randall actually has paid. His son, Dean, returns home from action in the trenches and saves John Stickley, his daughter Grace, and a child from the grasping tactics of Texas Pete, a Johnson hireling who is charging for use of the waterhole. Meanwhile, Dad Randall is being forced to sign over the ranch, but Dean arrives and disposes of the villains just before Dad's death. When Johnson's cattle are rustled, Dean goes to work for him to track down the rustlers; returning the stolen cattle, Dean is tricked by Johnson, but with the aid of Grace and his horse, Silver King, he escapes. By a pulley stunt, Dean leads his pursuers into the sheriff's trap, and following a final showdown with Johnson, Dean and Grace are united.

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

Dir: David Kirkland

Capricious Billie Billings determines to marry bashful bachelor Senator Newton of Nevada and succeeds. She discovers on her honeymoon that her husband's secretary "Smith" is actually a woman. When the senator refuses to heed his wife's demands to fire Smith, Billie flirts with a French count and runs away with him to a country inn. The count gets drunk and Billie insists on separate rooms. Billie's friend Dr. Wise arrives at the inn with Smith, her husband and twin children, and Senator Newton. Smith assuages Billie's jealousy and then leaves the senator and his wife alone. The reunited couple depart for a second honeymoon.

Dir: David Kirkland

Robert Bennett, an idle socialite, wagers $30,000 with his three friends that he can tell nothing but the truth for a period of one week. His troubles begin at a party where his friends' wives question Robert about their husbands' outside activities. Forced to tell the truth, Robert's veracity results in domestic disharmony. Consequently, his vengeful trio of friends pursue Robert for the next five days, intent upon silencing him until the week is over. They finally resort to committing Robert to an insane asylum where he escapes with the aid of Dolly, who is in love with him because she believes that Robert is a society thief. When the real burglar arrives, he tries to frame Robert for his crimes, but Robert is cleared as the week ends and claims both his wager and his sweetheart, Gwendolyn Gerald.