Visionary Picks Drawn from the Same DNA as The Idler: Cult Guide

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

Railroad tycoon Richard Strong discovers that his enemies are scheming to bankrupt him. Strong enlists the help of Charles Dalton, and together they foil the plot. By chance Dalton meets Strong's wife, Elinor.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

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

The Russian Czar sends his trusted confidant, Michael Strogoff, to warn his brother the Grand Duke of a Tartar rebellion that will be led by Feofar Khan and Ivan Ogareff.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

John Oakhurst is a chivalrous gambler, and his friendship for Sandy Morton forms the motif of the story. Sandy Morton was given to excessive drink, which through the connivance of the duchess, the queen--of the gambling houses--resulted in the loss of his birthright. Though his father had maintained a search for him covering a number of years, he had never been able to locate him. Circumstances so shaped themselves that Oakhurst innocently, and believing Sandy dead, took the place of the long-lost son in his father's affection and household, and these circumstances reached a climax when Sandy's true identity was revealed at the psychological moment by the duchess herself. So upright has Oakhurst been in all his dealings with the eider Morton that as he turns to leave the room, the old man calls him back and announces that henceforth the name under which he will operate his banking business will be Alex, Morton and Sons and Oakhurst. Thus do the troubles of the two men cement their years of friendship into a life-long association.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Two Men of Sandy Bar perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

In the days of '49 some of the aristocracy of old California contrived to gather unto themselves more than their share of the precious yellow metal which abounded. There were those among the populace who resented this state of affairs. Luis Lopez was one. Smarting under the yoke of the aristocracy, Lopez determined to champion the cause of the people. Accordingly, he set about to enlist the aid of others and chose Jose Garcia for an ally. Jose finally agreed to wage a campaign against Don Ortega and Don Mendoza. Jose set out for the home of Don Ortega, whom it was agreed that he should rob. Lopez chose Don Mendoza as his prey. It was agreed between Lopez and Jose that the gold which they hoped to gain would be devoted to the uplift of the oppressed. Jose's destination lay across the desert. Stopping to slake his thirst, he was horrified to find that he had lost his canteen. He found instead a crucifix which his priest had secreted in his pack-saddle. Tearing it off, he flung it with anger into the sands and passed on. Senor Arrelanes, another aristocrat, with his daughter Carmen were traveling in the same direction, intending to visit their cousin, Don Ortega. They found the crucifix and later came upon Jose, exhausted. They bore him to the home of Don Ortega, where Carmen nursed him back to health. Lopez reached the home of the Don Mendoza and asked for lodging. In the night he crept into the living room and stole the bags of gold which his hosts had deposited in a chest. Surprised by Mendoza'a wife, Lopez set upon her. Mendoza came to the rescue and drove Lopez out. Jose had fallen a willing victim to Carmen, and vowed to himself that he would not be guilty of robbing those who had befriended him. He set forth on his return to Santa Barbara to meet Lopez. Lopez threatened that he himself would take the money. During the night Jose stole Mendoza's gold from beneath Lopez's pillow and hastened away to warn Ortega. Discovering Jose's absence, Lopez quickly gave pursuit, vowing to kill the traitorous Jose. Jose arrived in time to warn Ortega so that when Lopez arrived he fell into the trap laid for him. Carmen at last prevailed upon Lopez to forsake his evil ways. And so when Carmen had yielded to the pleadings of her impetuous lover, Jose, Lopez stood nearby to share their happiness, and later returned to Santa Barbara, there to spend the remainder of his days with the gentle priests at the Mission.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

Satan has added his last touches to the mortal and feels the "Man" is ready to navigate the road of life. Satan returns to Hell, discovering the spirits have created another mortal. Satan declares this mortal a "Woman."

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

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

Jane Barrett and her son, Tom, are suddenly beggared by the speculations of her husband, known on Wall Street as Plunger Barrett. At an auction sale, the Barrett yacht, real estate and household effects are sold without reserve to satisfy some of the demands of the creditors. The bankrupt plunger goes to his room, plies himself with liquor, falls out of the window and is killed. It now depends upon Tom to bear the burden of his mother's support. In a newspaper he finds an advertisement offering a position, with promises of advancement, for a young man of education. This is signed by John Pearce, an old friend of the family, who, with his daughter, Helen, has often been a guest on the yacht and in their home. Helen has been attracted by Tom's manly bearing and finds herself gradually weaning her affections away from Phil Blair, an almost accepted lover, who is associated with her father in coal mining. The transfer of her affections comes one day when, out riding with Blair, a child falls from a bridge and he has not the courage to attempt to save her life. This is effected by Tom, and, as a reward, the girl insists upon her father giving the position to Tom. Wishing to begin at the bottom, Tom passes through the different stages of mining and handling coal, and is about to be appointed Assistant Superintendent. But his hopes, as well as those of his mother and lady love, are frustrated by the jealous Blair, assisted by George Bowers, ex-partner in the firm wrecked by Barrett. Thereupon Tom's mother, after making protest to the directors without avail, appeals to the men and a meeting of the Miners' Union is called. While this is in progress, Pearce, who is still Tom's ardent champion, receives a decision of the Supreme Court, giving him a clear title to a mine at the village of Mayflower. After the meeting, the miners having decided to walk out, through sympathy for Tom, he is offered the position of superintendent at Mayflower. He accepts it and takes most of his striking friends with him. The once deserted village now takes on new life, and the mine is opened by Tom on the co-operative principle. While the mining is progressing with fine promise, a flow of oil opened on the levels takes fire, setting the mine ablaze. Then follow the harrowing scenes which it is impossible to avert even after most heroic efforts on the part of the relief train and State Constabulary. After burning for more than three weeks, the fire bums away the supporting pillars of the mine, and the fated village caves into the abyss made by the sinking earth. The villainous Blair succeeds in convincing the excited people that Tom himself has fired the mine to conceal the fact of its utter worthlessness, and they set out to lynch him. For a time the brave mother and a few friends succeed in staying the advance of the mob, but they are the stronger, and are about to destroy him when a pillar of fire arises. This proved to be an oil well of great magnitude, and, amid the promises of the rehabilitated hero, that what they have lost will be more than regained, the defeated Blair is seen slinking away, silhouetted against the dying flames of the sunken village.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

Bessie Gale, known in New York night life as "the unattainable," is pursued by Henry Morton, wealthy clubman. Morton follows Bessie across the continent, traveling with the theatrical company of which she is a member. In crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains the girl is particularly impressed with the scenery, and at a way station where the train stops for a few moments Bessie alights and strolls so far away from the depot she is unable to return in time to board the train when it proceeds. She finds shelter for the night at Robert Goodman's home, intending to rejoin her company when the next train comes along the following day. The receipt of a telegram discharging her for missing her train changes her plans, and Bessie settles down at the Goodman home for a stay of indefinite duration. Robert Goodman's mother takes a great fancy to Bessie and Robert falls in love with her. Finally they are married, but the longing for her old life is never quite stifled within her and Bessie rejoices when she is sent to New York by her husband to negotiate the sale of his formula for preventing disease among sheep that is just then devastating the flocks throughout the country. Bessie collects an immense check and contracts for royalties that make Robert a millionaire, and is about to start home when she accidentally meets some of her former associates. The call of the stage is renewed with resistless vigor when Bessie is offered an engagement by her former manager. Morton hears of her presence in town and renews his efforts to attain "the unattainable." Bessie writes to her husband that she is going back to the stage. Robert senses trouble for her and comes to New York without notifying her. He finds her dining with Morton under conditions any husband would resent, and when Morton is unable to defend himself from the physical retribution Robert rains upon him Morton shoots the husband in the coward's target, his back. The tragedy restores Bessie to a realization of her perfidy and folly; Morton acquires a streak of unheard of manliness and when Robert is taken to the hospital the clubman offers his blood for transfusion to Robert's veins that the life of his victim may be saved. The blood test reveals that Morton's blood would poison the stricken Robert and then Bessie is accepted as a volunteer to give her blood to save her husband's life, an operation that is entirely successful.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

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

In Mexico, a poor Yaqui Indian loses his family through the actions of a racist Mexican officer named Martinez.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

After Enid and Jack Radnor, vacationing in the Virginia mountains, have a bitter quarrel, Enid meets Polly Mason and Martin Hale, who invite her to their cabin. There she discovers that something mysterious is happening in the mountains. When a train robbery occurs, the sheriff, believing that Martin is a member of the outlaw gang, demands his surrender. After many misadventures, Martin finally proves his innocence. Then Enid mysteriously disappears and is found unconscious at the edge of a cliff. Enid's mother comes to resolve her problems and recognizes Polly's father as an old sweetheart who quarreled with her many years before. Finally, Enid and Jack, after observing so many romantic separations, realize their deep love and are reconciled.

Dir: Lloyd B. Carleton

August and Hilda are recent immigrants who cannot understand the American emphasis on weddings, because in their country, couples never get married. Fearing that he will be arrested for living with a woman who is not his wife, August stows away on a ship and dies in a wreck at sea. Afterward, Hilda tries to commit suicide, but rich Esther Grail saves her, and then adopts her infant son Stephen. Years later, Esther tells him the circumstances of his birth, and so Stephen goes on a crusade for the rights of illegitimate children. He is soon elected governor, but during his inaugural speech, a fanatic tries to shoot him. Hilda, however, not having seen Stephen for years but deciding to come hear him speak out for the underprivileged, sees the madman and, jumping in front of her son before the bullet hits him, dies in his place.