The Essential Watchlist that Capture the Essence of The Double Hold-Up: Cult Guide

Dir: Phil Rosen

Mary Bird and Myron Sharpe are newlyweds and live happily in a small New England town until the birth of their children. Myron becomes dissatisfied as Mary's time becomes more devoted to her children than to making herself attractive for her husband. When Mary's old friend Pauline Dallas comes to visit, Myron finds himself attracted to her chic appearance. The two are on the threshold of a love affair when Mary becomes lost in a storm while boating. Believing that his wife has drowned, Myron realizes how deeply he loves her, and when Mary is rescued, the couple are reconciled.

Dir: Phil Rosen

Facing poverty, Carol Drayton is prevented from suicide by Rose, a woman of the streets, who buys Carol a meal in a cafe of questionable reputation. The cafe is raided, and Carol is arrested and jailed on the false testimony of wealthy Gordon Duane. When she is released, Carol is again penniless until intoxicated Bobby Bleeker pays her to sing beneath the window of his sweetheart, Aline Sturdevant, where she is discovered by Stratini, a famous impresario. While studying with Stratini, Carol is blackmailed by the butler. Whitney Duane (Gordon's brother) falls in love with her but doubts her because of the gossip, and Carol incurs Aline's wrath by borrowing money from Bobby for Rose. Carol finally realizes her love for Stratini, who has remained loyal to her, and they are married.

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

Dir: Phil Rosen

Tomboy socialite Theodora Hayden, known to friends as "Teddy," is an amateur aviatrix and racing car enthusiast. Relishing her freedom, Teddy spurns lawyer Gerry Rhinelander West, her childhood sweetheart, and runs away to Greenwich Village. There she meets model Ruby Joyce and Ruby's lover, boxer "Gunboat" Dorgan. She becomes the student of portraitist Raoul Uhlan, who tries to make love to her. Infuriated by the artist's audacity, Teddy has him beaten by Gunboat, who misinterprets her gratitude. Gunboat kisses Teddy, who repulses him, then borrows her car and strikes another auto. After tracing the car to its owner through the license plate number, the driver of the injured vehicle sues Teddy. Raoul then sues Teddy for injuries inflicted by Gunboat; and Ruby sues her for alienation of Gunboat's affection. When her family refuses to help her, Teddy turns to Gerry, who settles the suits and wins her hand.

Dir: Phil Rosen

An automobile manufacturer comes up with a low-priced but efficient new car. However, when he orders all of his employees to drive it, his son Jimmy defies him and buys a car from his father's rival, Tyler, who makes expensive roadsters.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Are All Men Alike? perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Phil Rosen

The girl is a schoolteacher in a cattle town, the hero a rather wild cowboy of good intentions but addicted to gambling. She saves him from a false accusation of robbery, thus awakening his better instincts.

Dir: Phil Rosen

Isabella Echevaria, whose beauty has won her a legion of disappointed admirers, arrives with her retinue of servants at a fashionable French hotel, and there she encounters Gerald Rexford, a young Briton who remains indifferent to her charms. Isabella becomes determined to bring Gerald to his knees and follows him to Paris, where she arranges a meeting with him through a mutual acquaintance. Gerald falls in love with her, and Isabella finds that she truly loves him in return. They share their idyllic love in a small house in the country until Gerald's mother persuades Isabella that Gerald will never find lasting happiness with her. Isabella then arranges with John Strong to make Gerald jealous by allowing Gerald to find her in John's embrace. Gerald discovers them together, suspects the worst, and leaves Isabella; Strong then has a change of heart and tells Gerald of Isabella's noble deception. Gerald returns to her in time to prevent her from poisoning herself and declares his intention to marry her immediately.

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

Dir: Phil Rosen

Richard Forrest's philosophy of marital relations is that it is not up to the husband to hold his wife's love but that she should "hold it herself." His theories are put to a practical test when his best friend, a young author, comes to the Big House. The friend falls in love with the wife and frankly tells her husband of the fact, saying that it is best that he go away. Forrest laughs at him and states that his wife should know her own mind and she is free to love whom she chooses and that if she finds she loves the author she is free to go away with him. But the thing that he thought would not take place did happen finally. The wife thinks she is in love with the author and tells her husband that she has allowed the other man to kiss her. She finds out in the end, however, that her husband's character is of such strength that she "holds herself" to him, and reaches the conclusion that her love for the author was but a temporary affair.

Dir: Phil Rosen

A biographical film featuring the presidency and assassination of Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War.

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

Dir: Phil Rosen

Florentine Fair, a famous actress who is satiated with theatrical life, falls in love with Roger Dent, an unsophisticated youth with a passion for writing plays. Taking him to New York as her protégé, she encourages him to write. Although her lover Mortimer is insanely jealous at first, he finds merit in Dent's new play and finances him on Broadway. The young dramatist offers his hand in marriage to the actress, but she refuses him and accepts Mortimer.

Dir: Phil Rosen

Hal Whitney, an irresponsible young millionaire, befriends Timothy Payne, a wise old college professor whose life had been ruined by alcohol. After "adopting" Timothy as his father, Hal introduces him to his sweetheart, Helen Maynard. The outraged Helen breaks their engagement, certain that Timothy will be a bad influence on her hard-drinking fiancé. However, both men assist in each other's reformation, and Hal is soon reunited with Helen, while Timothy marries Hal's mother, Elizabeth, whom he had loved in his youth.