The Definitive Guide Inspired by the Vision of The Gold Diggers: Cu...

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Beneath the moonlight of the southern skies Molly Carrington, daughter of the south, pledges her heart and hand to "Jimmie" Maxwell on the eve of the young man's departure to New York, where his knowledge or cotton has won him a good position in a cotton broker's office. They are married and depart for the metropolis. Due to Maxwell's transition from his calm and uneventful home life to the maelstrom of worldly battle, he succumbs to liquor's lure, and from a stalwart husband is dragged to the depths or Demon Rum's depravity. He loses his position and Molly leaves him, returning to her southern home. As a "down-and-outer" Maxwell sees in a Mobile paper a rumor that his wife plans to divorce him and marry his former rival. Alfred Lewis. His smoldering love for Molly flares up to expose vividly the curse which drink has placed upon him. Maxwell throws off his alcoholic yoke, becomes a man again, and wins back his position. He finds Molly waiting for him the first day he enters the office.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Skinner's Dress Suit perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Skinner is afraid to strike his employer for a raise for fear he will be discharged. Mrs. Skinner scoffs at his fears, however, and finally induces him to demand an increase. Her humble spouse gets the proverbial "cold feet" at the final moment; so to "cover up" before his wife, he fibs a little and tells her he got the raise, taking the money from his private bank account. She forthwith makes him purchase a dress suit and "spruce up." Although it almost wipes Skinner's bank account out, he buys the clothes. Skinner is frantic; he sees the wolf at the door. But, by virtue of his dress suit and good appearance, he gets acquainted with some wealthy people and is enabled to put over a big business deal for his firm. Rushing into his company's office with the order, he demands a raise and a partnership in the firm. He gets both.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Betty Hall, sent to boarding school by her wealthy parents, leads her friends in pajama pranks which upset Miss Elliott, the matron. After breaking up Miss Elliott's first and only love affair, Betty is expelled. To save the family from further disgrace, Betty's father tries to get her to marry a man in his office, Franklyn Winters, but Betty refuses, saying that she will choose her own husband. Although Franklyn is made a partner in the business, his persistent courtship attempts are met by Betty's playful pranks. When celebrated novelist Roy Harper carries Betty to his home after she has fallen from her horse, Franklyn pursues them, and thinking Harper lured her in, fights him. Betty furiously upbraids Franklyn, but after he leaves, Harper's advances cause her to chase after Franklyn. At the last minute, Betty boards the train taking Franklyn to officer's training school. They are betrothed on its rear platform.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

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

A struggling young composer of genius completes a masterpiece score for an opera, only to have it stolen by a less talented composer who rises to great success with it.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Margaret Sherwood's fiancé has disappeared in the Arctic and she hasn't heard from him in two years. Yet she does not believe he died. Price Latham, in love with Margaret, offers to organize a new expedition to prove otherwise. In return, she promises to marry Latham, come what may. Latham sneakily tries to sabotage the trip but Providence, in the form of an Eskimo hunter with a spike, dispenses Margaret from keeping her word. The fiancé, found at last, takes the young girl back to friendlier skies under the northern lights.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

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

William Skinner is very pleased with the news his wife Honey is expecting their first child. He eagerly prepares for the new arrival, as he is sure it will be the next William Skinner Jr. When the bundle of joy finally arrives, much to his surprise, it's a girl. However, Honey and William are just as happy as if she were a he.

Dir: Unknown Director

The Judge needs a present for his wife's birthday, so Harry suggests a new corset. They go to the shop, but he's so embarrassed to ask the saleslady he hides in a phone booth.Harry goes in, but finds a GUY wearing one, and runs out.They both dress as women to get back in, but Mrs. Rummy gets there and chases him out.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

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

Finding himself broke and out of a job in Paris, American William Ruggles joins the Turkish army and is sent to fight in its war in the Balkans. During a particularly hard-fought battle, he rescues a wounded Turkish soldier. Before he dies the Turk, out of gratitude, leaves William his fortune--but with the proviso that he take care of the Turk's three beautiful young wards. After he leaves the army, William and the three young girls--Roxana, Rosa and Bulbul--move to Paris, where William meets up with young Ruth Downing, the daughter of his former employer. They fall in love, but Roxana--who is also in love with William--is determined that nothing will stand in the way of her getting him and she will do whatever it takes to achieve that end.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Wealthy Easterner Dick Latham, determined to disprove his father Amos' accusation that he is an idler, rides the rails West to the mining town of Twin Bridges. Hugh Godson, the town's corrupt political boss, appoints Dick sheriff, supposing him an easily manipulated tenderfoot. To Godson's dismay, Dick proceeds to clean up Twin Bridges, closing the saloons and gambling dens, and forcing even the most hardened miners to attend church. Godson schemes to cheat Rosa Crimmins and her ailing father out of their ranch, which is rich in gold deposits, but Dick foils the plot and makes Rosa his deputy. When Dick learns that some rich Easterners are gambling in the hotel, he arrests them all, despite the fact that his father is among them. Amos, proud of his son's newfound manliness, buys the Crimmins ranch and gives his hearty approval to Dick and Rosa's romance.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Having followed the road of romance through many countries, Lord Quex finally falls in love with Muriel Eden. After resisting Lord Quex because of his reputation, Muriel finally capitulates to his charms and agrees to marry him. In her heart, however, Muriel still treasures an affection for Caption Bastling, a fortune hunting womanizer, and when Muriel is told of Lord Quex's continuing contact with the Duchess of Dowager, a situation brought about through the scheming of the Duchess, Muriel turns to Bastling and agrees to meet him at her friend Sophie Fullgarney's manicurist shop. There, Sophie, who has discovered Bastling's true nature, exposes the captain by flirting with him as Muriel arrives for her rendezvous. Seeing Bastling faithlessness makes Muriel realize that Quex is the man for her.