Curated Recommendations Similar Cinematic Experiences to The Heart of the Hills: Cult Guide

Dir: Richard Ridgely

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

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

Eve Leslie is a poor country girl who wishes she could have fine clothes, motors, and wealthy friends. The person she envies most is famous actress Betty Howard, not knowing that Betty's life has been full of sorry--for years she sought a certain man, and when she found him he was a a desperate criminal who, misunderstanding her kindnesses, tried to blackmail her. Her hard work, too, has affected her health and her physician has ordered her to give up the stage to take a long rest. Betty longs for just the sort of life that Eve has and doesn't seem to appreciate. Through Adam Moore, son of a rich man, Eve hears much of Betty Howard, who is a "pal" of Adam's. One day Betty is motoring with Stanton Skinner, an unscrupulous man who wants her to marry him. Betty collapses and is taken to Eve's home, which is nearby; they become friends. Rocco Erwin, the man Betty has been seeking, attempts to rob Skinner, is caught, and is released only upon Betty's pleas. She tells Skinner who Rocco is. Rocco, himself, does not know. Rocco later comes to Betty for more money, is refused, and throttles her and flees, leaving her for dead. Skinner, who has fallen in love with Eve, invites her aboard his yacht. Rocco follows Skinner to the yacht, where Eve has gone. Rocco asks Skinner to help him escape. Skinner refuses and Rocco attacks him. Rocco learns that Betty is his sister, and attempts to slay Skinner, while Eve crouches nearby frantic with terror. Betty recovers, learns where Eve has gone, and, with Adam to help her, follows to the yacht. In exciting scenes Adam and Betty rescue Eve from her peril and she rests securely in Adam's arms, envious no longer.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

Mary Keene did not realize that when placed in the office of John Ingalls to assist in carrying out Robert Moran's plot to secure Ingalls' money she would spoil the whole scheme of things by falling in love with her big-hearted employer. Mary had always been "straight" in spite of her association with Moran and his band of blackmailers. But she had erred against man-made laws, though innocently, and fearing disgrace and prison if exposed by Moran she was compelled to assist in his nefarious schemes. Moran discovered that Ingalls loved children, and that he lived a secluded, lonely life. Mary's advent in John Ingalls' life was for the purpose of introducing a supposed little sister of hers into the Ingalls' home and through this child, thoroughly trained for the task assigned her, ultimately reach Ingalls' store of wealth. Moran's plans were successful until Mary began to realize she loved Ingalls and rebelled against further deception. Ingalls loved Mary and offered her his hand. The wedding ceremony was simple but pretty. Meanwhile, Moran had been planning along different lines. Why not force Mary to get a large sum from her husband and leave with him for foreign shores? Moran has long coveted Mary and he believes this his opportunity. Mary, for once in her bitter life, enjoys the utmost happiness. This joy is increased by the realization that she is soon to become a mother. Time has flown backward ten years in the life of John Ingalls. He feels the blood of young manhood coursing through his veins. Soon Moran presents his plan to Mary, who pleads with Moran to have pity and leave her in peace; but there is no alternative, she must go or see herself and husband disgraced by Moran's exposure. At home, Mary ponders long over her duty. She looks out on the placid lake from her window and with a prayer to the "God of Little Children," decides to give up the struggle and end her life, Moran, meanwhile, has plotted carefully. For a few dollars "Hard Tack," his willing accomplice, will put John Ingalls out of the way. The public will believe he committed suicide because his wife deserted him. The note she writes upon leaving will be found beside the body. Then with John Ingalls' widow in his power nothing shall come between Robert Moran and a fortune. Seated in his library, John Ingalls little dreamed that the hand of an assassin was near. Beside the lake Mary is about to end her life. She looks up at the library window with a silent prayer to Ingalls not to misjudge when she sees a crouching figure holding a pistol, silhouetted against the blind. Mary rushes into the house and reaches his side just in time to divert the bullet from Hard Tack's weapon. Ingalls conquers Hard Tack, who is hurled through a window. He is killed by his fall. Moran, waiting outside for Mary to meet him according to promise, overhears the pistol shot and, becoming alarmed at Hard Tack's long absence, boldly comes into the library, revolver in hand. Mary, seeing Moran and believing Ingalls' life again in danger, takes aim with the gun she picks up and fires at Moran. He falls dead, the bullet piercing his heart. The story ends happily.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

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

Mary Ladislas elopes with the chauffeur because of his sympathy for her ideals, and they stop at a hotel. The scornful attitude of all who meet them causes Mary to desire immediate marriage, but on the way for a license, the auto overturns and kills the chauffeur. It is too late for Mary to return home now and she is left alone, disconsolate. Hugh Whittaker, ill, given up by the doctors, leaves his affairs in the hands of Drummond, his partner, and prepares to leave for the west. He meets Mary and prevents her suicide. Pitying her and feeling his own end near, he marries her and continues on his journey, after giving her a note to his partner, Drummond, so that he may provide for her. Drummond, who is dissipating and appropriating Hugh's funds, is fascinated by Mary, but she refuses his aid. Later, news comes of Hugh's death. Mary obtains the title role in Carmen at Max's theater, who treasures her for her artistic acting. In a jealous rage he causes the death of David, another actor whom Mary is to marry. Four years pass. Thurston, a young millionaire, who is to marry Mary, is pushed off a ferry boat by Max and drowned. Drummond, meanwhile, is forcing his attentions on Mary. Hugh, contrary to reports, has not been killed. His mining operations in the west have made him a millionaire and he returns home cured. At the theater he sees Mary. She recognizes him and suffers a nervous breakdown. Her unfortunate affairs with men have earned her the title of "The Destroying Angel." She goes to the seashore to recover from her attack. Drummond, meanwhile, who has spent all the money left in his care by Hugh, has disappeared. Unconscious of Mary's whereabouts, Hugh also takes a cottage at the seashore. He foils Drummond, who has suddenly reappeared, in an attempt to kidnap Mary. Drummond is killed in the scuffle by Hugh's valet. Fearing to cast her terrible spell upon him, Mary leaves Hugh and returns to the stage. He follows, however, and Max attempts to shoot him, but Hugh has broken the deadly spell, for Max's bullets go wild. Mary, who really loves Hugh, gives herself up to her love, and returns with him. His is the charmed life which has pierced the circle of death about "The Destroying Angel."

Dir: Richard Ridgely

Story deals with Rodin, a prospector who has struck it rich after years of toiling. He comes upon the cabin of Estrella in a delirium brought on by starvation. This woman's husband has deserted her; in order to blackmail Rodin she makes him believe that in his delirium he murdered the missing man. For years Estrella bleeds Rodin. He tries in vain to establish proof of his innocence, but he is unsuccessful, and the woman keeps the upper hand. Alter some years Rodin meets Alice Carey, and a love springs up between them. Estrella reads of their engagement, and sends another blackmailing letter. Rodin calls on her to plead with her. She refuses, and in desperation he switches off the lights and locks her in a secret room, where he leaves her. Her trunk, which has been packed for a journey, he gives to an expressman. It falls off the wagon into the river. As Estrella does not appear, and the trunk is found floating in the stream, Rodin is accused of her murder. At the trial a host of evidence is brought up against him, and it seems to everyone that he is certain of being convicted. But just when the jury is about to retire the judge instructs them that no verdict of guilty can be brought, as the body has not been found. On this technicality, which comes as a complete surprise to everyone, including Rodin, the accused man is acquitted. He then goes to Alice to hear his "real sentence." She confesses that she believes him guilty of the murder. He releases her from the engagement, and goes to his home. A shot rings out in the library. The butler rushes in, to find his master dead.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

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

Filled with memories of the Philippine campaign, Lieutenant Ranson returns to the United States. After a month or two in Washington, he tells his father that he must have a change, and a chance to see some excitement. General Ranson writes and arranges to have him go to Fort Stanton, Texas, an Army post commanded by an old friend. Arrived at the railroad town nearest to the post, Ranson is conveyed to the post by stagecoach. A prairie fire is in progress a few miles away from Fort Stanton, and Ranson joins the soldiers and others in fighting it. Incidentally, he is successful in rescuing Mary Cahill, the daughter of the post-trader, Patrick Cahill. Ranson is received into the life of the fort and becomes a leader among the younger men. Ranson talks of the "big doings" out in the Philippines, and is "bored to death" with the dull routine of the fort. When one of the men calls his attention to a placard announcing a large reward for the capture of "The Red Rider," Ranson declares that it is nothing at all to hold up a stage; that anyone can do it and get away with it; that on a $50 bet, he himself, will hold up the stagecoach that night with a pair of shears. His brother officers ridicule the idea. Ranson insists that he can, and will, do it. Meantime, at the railway town, the coach has already started when Lieutenant Patten, the paymaster, arrives, carrying a bag containing $10.000 with which to pay off the soldiers. Finding the coach gone, he engages a man with a buckboard to drive him to the fort. Ranson successfully holds up the stagecoach. He is polite to the two lady passengers and takes nothing from anybody except a souvenir from one of the ladies, in the form of her photograph, this being sufficient proof to show his brother officers. He then rides back to the post. Meantime, Lieutenant Patten, hurrying along in the buckboard, is held up by a masked man dressed almost exactly as was Ranson. In a fight that ensues, the highwayman shoots and kills the driver of the buckboard, and wounds the lieutenant in the shoulder. The robber then gets possession of the bag of money and makes good his escape, but not before he has been himself shot in the hand by the paymaster. At the post, the news of the robbery arrives with the return of the detachment of men who have been sent out to escort the paymaster. They bring Lieutenant Patten with them, and he tells of the robbery and of having wounded the robber in the hand. As an outcome of the whole affair, Ranson is arrested, charged with having held up both stage and the pay-train. He is confined to his quarters, awaiting court martial, and there he sends for Mr. Cahill, with whom he wishes to speak in regard to Mary. He notices that Cabin's hand is bandaged, but Cahill tells him that his pony bit him while he was bridling her. Mary enters, and in the course of the conversation tells Ranson that her father has told her that he shot himself in the hand while fooling with his revolver. Ranson is at once suspicious, and when Mary goes out he accuses Cahill of being the real "Red Rider." Finally Cahill confesses that it is true. Ranson tells him that no matter what happened, he will stick by his daughter. He urges Cahill to hurry away to Fort Worth on the pretext of buying an engagement ring. Cahill says he will do so and that he will write a letter of confession exonerating Ranson, after he is safely in Canada. But hardly has he entered the other room when Ranson hears a shot. Rushing in, he finds Cahill lying across the table, a bullet through his brain. By his hand is a brief note of confession, which he has hastily scribbled. As Mary rushes in, Ranson draws her back but she has guessed the truth. Her father has paid for his long-concealed life of crime, and now she gives herself wholly into Ranson's keeping, knowing that her father's wish was to have them marry and be happy.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

Ralph Valentine and his father are musicians of proud and aristocratic ways and are so wrapped up in their art as to be oblivious of their poverty. Their faithful servant, Joseph, has been wont to withhold the threats of debtors from them, but there comes a time, shortly after the father's death, that Ralph must be told the truth. Joseph tells everything and suggests that Ralph accept money that he has saved and go to Paris, where he may show the world his art. Ralph does so and goes to live with the Gardins. His uncle Victor Valentine, wealthy and fond of gay life, invites him to live at his home provided he will leave behind his foolish dreams and fancies. Ralph refuses, preferring to remain where he is. He wins the love of Pauline Gardin and is quite content. Through his Bohemian acquaintances he meets Mme. Flora Margot. This tired, blasé young woman makes a pet of him and enraptured by her dazzling beauty he longs to satisfy her every desire. Attempting to do so, he becomes indebted to impatient creditors, who demand immediate payment or his arrest. Pauline, ignorant of his infatuation with Flora, assists him out of his present difficulties with her own savings. Realizing Flora's fast waning affection, he resolves to regain it by buying a certain antique necklace which he knows she covets. The antique dealer demands an exorbitant price which he is unable to pay. He is further disheartened when one day he finds her in the arms of his uncle, and he rushes forth intent upon suicide. About to throw himself into the river, a vision of Flora appears before him and he resolves to secure the necklace at any cost. The dealer of the antique shop is busy when he enters and Ralph wanders into a room where there are curios upon the walls and tables. Curiously examining the various articles, his hand suddenly touches a secret panel which springs back, revealing a marvelous painting of the Christ. A spiritual influence comes over him, so profound is its impression upon his mind. While awaiting the attendance of the dealer, he becomes greatly interested in a peculiar skin which has writing upon it in Sanskrit. Sitting down he becomes drowsy and falls asleep. The writing changes into English, which reads that the possessor of the skin has only to wish and his wish will be granted, but that with each desire the skin shall grow smaller and the days of the possessor grow less until death is the penalty at the last wish. The dealer approaches and Ralph is amazed to behold him now in the form of a devil. The devil asks if he desires the skin and Ralph, fearfully undecided, suddenly thinks of Flora and agrees to take it. What are his desires and his terrible anguish as the talisman grows smaller have been woven into a story of weird and mystic situations.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

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

Eve Leslie is sent to boarding school. Proud of the fortune that has come to her she feels herself above Adam Moore, who loves her. Eugene D'Arcy, a powerful banker, who also suffers from pride and arrogance, meets Eve and wants her. In order that her pride may be further satisfied, she decides to marry a count. They elope, after eluding D'Arcy in an exciting chase, and board an ocean liner, bound for Europe. D'Arcy manages to catch the liner, as does Adam Moore, who stows away, hoping to protect her. Aboard the liner Adam manages to expose the bogus count and frustrate D'Arcy. Adam wins back his sweetheart after she has learned from bitter experience that a fall always follows pride. A fitting end comes to D'Arcy, who pays for his evil machinations that resulted from his false pride.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

Two business partners, Bradley and Collier, are in love with Mary. Bradley gives Collier to understand that he is engaged to her, and it is this only that prevents Collier declaring his love. Lola, a young Italian girl whom Bradley has betrayed, comes to the office to beg him to marry her. Mary hears the girl's plea, and comes into the office. Here she sees Collier talking to the girl. He has come, not knowing the situation, and Bradley has slipped out another door. Mary believes that Collier is the guilty man, and refuses to speak to him. Bradley encourages her in this idea and begs her to marry him. Collier, heartbroken, has left for the west, in order to recover his lost spirits. Bradley has a fake telegram sent to him announcing Collier's death, for he knows that he has no chance with Mary as long as his rival is alive. After some time Mary marries him. But almost immediately afterward she meets Lola, who is dying in a hospital. Lola begs her to care for Bradley's child, and she learns too late that her husband deceived her. She returns and denounces him. He, knowing that the scandal is sure to get out, orders her to prepare for a trip to Europe. He sells his, as well as Collier's, share in the company. Lola's father, crazed by his daughter's death, comes to Bradley's office and sneaks in through the basement window. The next day Bradley is found dead. Tony is arrested. Collier returns and meets Mary. Together they go to the police and ask for the release of Tony. Collier tells of his arrival the night before and his knowledge of the sale of the company. He went to confront Bradley, and they struggled. Bradley drew a revolver, which went off in his hand, killing him. Collier had tried to make the case look like suicide, until he learned that Tony was being held. The police assure Collier that his innocence will be easily established, and he and Mary face the future with the knowledge that a long-deferred happiness will be theirs.

Dir: Richard Ridgely

Mary Fitz Allen has three suitors, Arthur Barton, a young soldier, Robert Jardon, a barrister, and Lord Lester, already past middle age, but devoted to her. Her heart, however, is wholly Barton's, and while, being very gracious with Lord Lester, has an ill-concealed dislike for Jardon. Her mother is purse-proud and favors the suit of Lord Lester. Jardon sees Mary and Barton talking together in the garden, and from her words, gathers something of what has passed between them. Later, in the village inn, he makes a remark against Mary's character that Barton overhears and the young soldier knocks him down. Barton returns to the barracks, but is told that in falling Jardon had been struck on the head and is now dead. Advised by his companions to leave the country at once, Barton sends a note to Mary, assuring her that "he will never desert her," but will send for her as soon as he is safe in another land. Receiving the letter, Mary falls in a swoon. Mrs. Fitz Allen tells Lord Lester that she is taking Mary to the continent for a visit, and that the girl will probably be more willing to do her bidding and marry Lester on their return. Then she takes Mary to the home of an old family servant of the Fitz Allen's, and there Mary's child is born. The mother makes the old woman swear to keep from Mary the fact that her child is alive, and, later, when they return to their home, Mary has the double grief of believing her child dead, and her lover unfaithful to her, for Mrs. Fitz Allen takes possession of the three letters that Barton has written to her during her absence. It is now that Mary consents to marry Lord Lester. Meantime Barton has shipped aboard a vessel bound for America, but in a quarrel with one of the seamen, has been thrown overboard and drowned. Fifteen years later, Mary, now Lady Lester, is living happily with her husband, whom she has learned to truly love. Jardon is living in bachelor quarters, and Babette, a young French woman, who is infatuated with him, is an inmate of his house. All these years, Mrs. Fitz Allen has been paying for the care given the child by the old servant. Jardon, calling on Lord Lester, picks up and carries away with him a letter addressed to Mary's mother, written by the child's guardian, requesting more money with which to purchase clothes for her. Reading this at his home, Jardon immediately realizes the truth, and determines to compel Mary to listen to his protestations of love by threatening to expose her past life. Meantime, Jardon has turned the French woman out of his house, and she, suspecting that Lady Lester is her rival, obtains a position as maid in her house, in order to spy upon her. On the night that Jardon makes it thoroughly plain to Lady Lester that he knows her secret, he is visited, at midnight, by Lady Lester herself. He pleads with her, and finally threatens her, but she leaves him after declaring that she will tell her husband everything of her own accord. As she leaves the house, Babette enters, and goes to Jardon's bedroom. He orders her out, and in the quarrel which follows, she draws a revolver and shoots him dead. When the crime is discovered, Lady Lester's handkerchief is found in Jardon's hand, and she is suspected of being the murderess. Overhearing the detective talking with Lord Lester, she writes a note of farewell to her husband and goes away to the farm where her child is living. Almost at the moment that her note is handed to Lester, a telephone message to the effect that Babette has confessed to being the murderer, is received. Lord Lester, learning of his wife's whereabouts, sends his housekeeper after her with a message that he wants, not only his wife, but her child, to come to him.