Essential Cult Cinema Drawn from the Same DNA as The Light in Darkn...

Dir: Alan Crosland

Charlotte Marlin was raised on a Connecticut farm in the shadow of Micah's apple tree, whose fruit, according to legend, changed from pale green to spotted red after a peddler was killed and buried at its base. Orphaned, Charlotte goes to live with her aunt and pretty cousin Margaret. She meets Neil Kennedy, a poor boy who is working his way through college, and they become friends. Margaret, who is engaged to wealthy Willis Hayland, teases Charlotte, who considers herself to be plain-looking. At high school graduation Charlotte's academic achievements are obscured by Margaret's leading role in the school play. Jealous of Margaret, Charlotte resolves to make everybody like her, to be famous, and to marry a millionaire. She learns that to make everybody like her, she must be friendly to everyone. To become famous, she becomes a golfer and wins the world's championship tournament. She nurses millionaire Perry Graham after hitting him in the head with a golf ball, supposedly an accident, but when Perry falls in love with her, Charlotte realizes that she loves Neil, who has become a promising physician.

Dir: Alan Crosland

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

Alan Croft, a young aviator and a girl from a strict English background are stranded on a cannibal island when their plane crashes on the way to Australia. The natives worship them, believing them to be gods, until a native girl discovers that the pilot is mortal. Giving up hope of rescue, they marry in the sight of God, but when they are found by a search plane Alan is wounded and left for dead. Barbara is spurned by her friends and family as having sinned, but Alan returns to claim her legally.

Dir: Alan Crosland

Connemara Moore, heiress to millions, cannot decide between two suitors: one wants her to get her hair bobbed; the other does not. Furthermore, her wealthy aunt will disown her if she bobs her hair. Running away from it all, she gets into a car driven by David Lacy, and, in short succession, becomes involved with bootleggers, wild parties, fights, and love. Connemara marries David, thereby solving her dilemma.

Dir: Alan Crosland

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

Chris, a student, ambitious in his own way but resisting tutors, was always in trouble until, at an auction sale, he purchased an old Oriental lamp because of its odd design, not dreaming that it was possessed of magical powers which he discovered when he began polishing it. A huge slave appeared, told him the lamp was his master and that he was prepared to obey any command that its owner, Chris, might give. As a test Chris bade the slave to transform himself into another Chris. He then sent the double of himself to school, where he was made to take the thrashings intended for Chris and to serve as the butt of many jokes and experiences meant for the real Chris. When the genie finally decides that he does not relish serving as Chris' double, the real trouble and fun begins, involving Chris' father and mother, teachers, family doctor, and farcical mix-ups develop with great rapidity. The doings of "Chris and the Wonderful Lamp" in the days of the Twentieth Century rival the best of Arabian Night tales.

Dir: Alan Crosland

Nancy is a restless young girl tired of living on a plantation with her three old-maid aunts. Her life brightens when her cousin Lola visits from New York; what she doesn't know is that Lola is fleeing from a scandal that erupted when she was caught running around on her husband with her lover David. It's not long before David comes looking for her, and Nancy falls in love with him. Lola sees a way out of her problem: if she can get Nancy and David to hook up, it will take the heat off of her. Nancy's aunts, who want to get rid of her, are all for the plan, and soon Nancy and David get married. However, things don't quite work out for everyone the way they planned.

Dir: Alan Crosland

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Chris and His Wonderful Lamp perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Douglas Albright, a hero just returned from the war, is conscience-stricken over allowing his buddy to die. Taking charge of his future father-in-law's business, he goes to China to gain self-control. There he meets his friend's widow and offers to give up Helen, his fiancée, for her; however, the widow's suicide frees him from this obligation, and he finds happiness with Helen.

Dir: Alan Crosland

Weary of life in the small New England fishing village of Rest Haven, Michael Strange accepts the offer of Paul Grayson, a wealthy old man who had been convalescing at the seashore, to return to New York with him. Once there, Michael falls in love with Laura Greer, unaware that she is Grayson's mistress. They are planning to run away when Grayson returns from a trip and enlightens Michael about Laura's background. Stunned, Michael deserts Laura but soon forgives her. Returning to her apartment, Michael discovers that Laura has killed Grayson. They escape to Rest Haven, but are found by the police just as Laura dies.

Dir: Alan Crosland

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

A young aristocrat strikes up an affair with a mysterious woman for three weeks.

Dir: Alan Crosland

Joan Bruce, leader of the jazz set at Miami, is courted by two men--Ranson Tate, an unscrupulous villain who deserted his wife on becoming wealthy, and Grant North, a young man who ignores her advances until he saves her from drowning. She is compromised by Tate but ultimately is rescued by North.

Dir: Alan Crosland

Having been rejected by Phyllis Leigh in favor of wealthier suitor Peter Lester, Hugh prevents Elinor Ashe from drowning herself. Hugh recklessly marries Elinor, but they occupy different wings of his house. Lester and Phyllis arrive as guests, and a new manservant favored by Elinor is hired. When Lester is murdered, the servant is charged with the crime, and Elinor admits to Hugh that he is indeed her father, recently released from prison. While in the company of Marcia Marshall, Hugh discovers her husband Harley dying in a Chinese opium den. He confesses that, victimized by Lester, he killed him. Elinor's father is released, and she reconciles with Hugh.