The Recommended Vault Deeply Connected to The Hushed Hour: Cult Guide

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

Richard Garbin, willful son of Judge Garbin, one of England's most prominent jurists, is railroaded into prison. He escapes, vowing vengeance against Corton, the man who framed him and caused the death of one of his friends. Changing his name to Ragland, he meets his father at a dinner party. Judge Garbin proposes that Richard finish his prison sentence on the estate of his friend, Hugh Dunster. There Richard meets and falls in love with Dunster's daughter, Joan. Joan discovers why Richard is there and prevents him from carrying out his plan of revenge against Corton; they obtain Judge Garbin's blessing and sail for Africa.

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

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

John Wayne and Sam Barr, two New York City financiers, plan to merge their holdings by arranging the marriage of John's daughter, Sylvia, to Sam's son, Richard. Although Sylvia refuses, Sam is wise in the ways of women and decides that the best way to change her mind is to oppose Richard as a suitor. Sylvia immediately runs away to Arizona, where she arranges to meet Richard. To pass the time, Sylvia and her maid offer manicures sat the barbershop. When Tom Long, a local rancher, discovers that all his men are getting manicured, he rides into town to put a stop to the practice. At the barbershop, Tom falls in love with Sylvia after defending her from the advances of a local tough. Richard arrives from the East, closely followed by a telegram from John, which offers a reward for the prevention of the marriage. Believing that Sylvia is truly in love with Richard, Tom helps them elude the sheriff. However, when he accidentally learns that Sylvia is marrying Richard only to spite her father, Tom pursues the train carrying the eloping couple, jumps aboard from his galloping horse, and declares his love for Sylvia. She realizes that she truly loves Tom and agrees to marry him.

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

"The Wickedest Place in the World - Tourists Welcome", so says the banner across main street. Bill Scott rides into the city looking for adventure. At the Palace Hotel, the wickedest place in Satan Town, Sue of the Salvation Army strives to reach one or two of the drunks, gamblers, and prostitutes that throng the saloon. Malamute, the bouncer at the bar, never shies from a fight, and what's more, he's never lost one. Sue, to her misfortune, has gotten on his nerves. Bill enters just in time to get between Malamute and Sue. After a brief but spirited battle, Malamute is bested.

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

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

Jean Lawrence (Marian Nixon), unsuccessful as a musical comedy actress, is near starvation when she is rescued by Nan Norton (Trilby Clark), a gangland sweetheart, in a restaurant off Broadway. Jean becomes involved with a counterfeit ring, then falls in love with Stephen Moore (John Gilbert), millionaire and amateur detective disguised as a counterfeiter. Moore rounds up the gang, removes his disguise, and marries Jean.

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

Jimmy Valentine, a prisoner in Sing Sing for safe-cracking, although guilty, maintains his innocence. When he obtains a pardon, he goes straight, influenced by a beautiful girl named Rose.

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

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

Tom Halloway, compelled through circumstances to become an outlaw, robs the express office on the day of his sister's arrival from the East and is seen at the scene of the crime by McTavish, a religious fanatic. Accompanying Tom in his escape from the posse is Sam Langdon, a prospector charged with McTavish's murder. He clears up the situation, wins a pardon for Tom, and wins May, Tom's sister.

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

Finding herself accused of a murder she didn't commit, Alice Carroll flees to Tangier, Morocco. District Attorney Henry Holcombe, meanwhile, has discovered that she is actually innocent and sets out to search for her. He finds her in Tanger, but she is under the influence of the shady Wilhelm von Linke, who owns a seedy gambling den. Complications ensue.

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

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

Chick Newton's friend, Bill Warner, is arrested for murdering his uncle. However, Bill has been framed by a blackmailer who has plotted with the uncle to have him disappear in order to avoid creditors and collect insurance. Newton unmasks Tom Curtis as the culprit and rescues Warner from a hanging.

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

A young woman finds herself trapped by a bandit gang. Rather than be raped by the gang, she commits suicide. When her brother finds out what happened, he turns to a life of banditry, hoping to find the gang responsible for his sister's death.

Dir: Edmund Mortimer

Dan Prentiss, the special undercover agent of a mining company, is assigned to investigate a series of robberies involving gold shipments. He earns the friendship of Ann Donald by saving her life when her horse is frightened by his dog, Pal. Dan also meets both Ann's uncle, Sam, and his partner, Colton, who is one of Ann's suitors. Dan finally decides to trap the unknown robbers by driving the truck carrying the gold shipment himself. After he sets out on this perilous journey, Ann discovers that her uncle and Colton are the bandits and sets out to warn Dan. The sheriff's posse captures all of Sam's gang except Sam and Colton, who head for the hills. Dan tails them and captures Colton; wounded by the posse, Sam kills himself to avoid capture. Ann promises to wait for Buck, who plans to return for her as soon as his work permits.