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

Dir: George Archainbaud

Violetta D'Arcy turns down the proposal of Jack Harrington, whom she believes to be poor, and instead marries the wealthy Robert Van Ellstrom. Her husband's fortune, however, is not sufficient to cover her gambling debts, so she pawns her sister-in-law's jewels and accepts money from Jack's father, who wishes to be introduced into society. When Harrington, Sr. makes improper advances towards Violetta, Robert fights him, and in the struggle, Harrington, Sr. shoots Jack in the arm. Believing that he has killed his son, Harrington commits suicide. Despondent and ashamed, Violetta tries to drown herself, but Robert intercedes and takes her in his arms.

Dir: George Archainbaud

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: George Archainbaud

Upon leaving prison, an ex con vows to go straight, but circumstances force him to return to crime. Meanwhile, a gang of crooks kidnaps a visiting British aristocrat, but the ex-con has an incredible likeness to the Englishman, and his intended hosts take him home to their mansion.

Dir: George Archainbaud

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

New York City society girl Evelyn Whitney, engaged to a wealthy young man, determines to prove that she can make her own living on the Lower East Side. After failing as both a factory worker and a waitress, she succeeds as cafe singer Mary Malone, and falls in love with former gang leader Larry Marshall. Stella, a jealous rival, attempts to stab Evelyn and is shot by Larry. Evelyn flees to her home, where she suffers from a lengthy illness. Upon learning that Larry is on trial for murder, she testifies on his behalf and assures his acquittal. Soon after, they are married.

Dir: George Archainbaud

Dick Allison comes to the aid of Mary Ann Hubbard, a young dispossessed woman in the South, and the two become close friends. Dick leaves the South to move to New York, and Mary soon finds herself in dire financial straits. She decides to ask her friend Dick in New York for help, and travels there to see him. Unfortunately, she arrives at Dick's place on the evening of his bachelor party, but Dick persuades his fiancee, Betsy Caldwell, to put up Mary for the night. Mary soon finds out something about Betsy that Dick doesn't know.

Dir: George Archainbaud

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

A man discovers that he has two personalities--and one of them is a notorious strangler.

Dir: George Archainbaud

Matters come to a climax in wealthy John Winchell's quarrels with his spendthrift son Craig when the latter becomes involved with divorcée Clara Marshall, and Craig breaks with his father. In the village of South Paradise, Craig happens to meet Mary Murdock, the daughter of a minister, and falls in love with her. They marry and move to the city. When Winchell refuses to meet Mary, believing that she must be the wrong kind of woman, the couple resolve to make it on their own. Craig goes to work, and Mary becomes Winchell's secretary, making a favorable impression. Soon Craig is back to his dissolute ways, seeing Clara. Eventually Mary is revealed as Craig's wife, and she rescues Craig from Clara's wiles, intending to leave him. Mr. Winchell and Craig plead for a reconciliation, and the future looks bright for Craig and Mary.

Dir: George Archainbaud

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

Cardinal Mercier protects the altar of his church from desecration when German forces invade the Belgian city of Louvain during World War I. Although the soldiers commit widespread atrocities, the cardinal does his best to protect the townspeople. Cardinal Mercier's young ward, Liane de Merode, is betrothed to Belgian officer Maurice Lambeaux, but the German governor general tries to gain possession of her against the cardinal's will. Despite the plotting of the governor general, Maurice breaks through the German lines in a disguise. Secretly the cardinal marries the young couple and smuggles them across the border to France.

Dir: George Archainbaud

Spoiled Marion Ainsworth resents the fact that her fiancé, Dr. Paul Carrington, a young surgeon rising rapidly in his profession, devotes more time to his work than to her. Consequently, when an emergency call from the hospital threatens to disrupt their picnic, Marion intercepts the message, causing Carrington to be late for a critical operation, thus ruining his career. On the advice of his friend Dr. Matthews, Carrington breaks his engagement and voyages to a South Sea island where he intends to carry on his research. Carrington is reported lost at sea, and a year later, Marion and her new suitor, Cyrus Carter, undertake a cruise to verify the doctor's death. En route, their yacht explodes, and Marion is washed ashore on the island where Carrington is now living. After a series of misadventures, Carrington forgives her and the couple returns to civilization together.

Dir: George Archainbaud

Twenty-five years ago Jacques Revilly was found on the church steps in a small French village. He grows up into a fine strapping young farmer. His abstinence from rough play after his farm work makes him unpopular, he surreptitiously cultivates his skill at painting within the sacred portals of the church. One of Jacques tormentors discover his art attempts, which suggest a new mode of attack, and then his co-workers make an issue of a little delinquency and refuse to stay at the farm unless he is discharged. Jacques, enraged at this injustice, leaves the hamlet forever. Three years later in Paris Jacques is able to produce some very good canvases. His unkempt appearance, his sulkiness and his apparent distaste for the society of his fellowmen have won for him the nick-name of "The Beast." He goes to the Café Brasserie Murger where the artists are enjoying themselves, among them being Horace Chapron, the bully of the Student Quarter. A dance is being planned for the evening, but the girls do not wish to have "The Beast" present. Jacques that night, knowing nothing about the party enters the café and as usual takes his drink by himself. He is invited to join the party by another student named Varny, but says he prefers to be by himself. Toward morning a girl who has been dancing on a table falls from it, landing on Varny, injuring his arm. Jacques takes him home and nurses him back to health. With the recovery of his friend, who joins his old companions, Jacques realizes anew that in this world he stands alone. He goes to a saloon and as he is drinking he prays God to give him the companionship that his soul craves for. On his way home he finds a frail young girl lying apparently dead in the snow. He carries her to his home, confident that his prayer has been answered. Under the careful ministration of his friend, Varny, and the caretaker, the girl convalesces. Her story relates her unsuccessful attempts to find work after her mother's death. Her strength gave out and she fell almost lifeless in the street. Jacques gives her his room, while he goes across the hall to Varny. Through the aid of the caretaker, Marguerite secures a position in Madame Celeste's millinery shop. Jacques begins to take an interest in his physical appearance. One day Prosper, one of the students, announces that he has just seen "The Beast" sober, clean-shaved and neatly dressed. His friends are incredulous, so he says he will prove it. A few days later when passing under Marguerite's window a book comes down on his head, it having been pushed off the window sill by the girl when dusting. Prosper returns the book to Marguerite, and is about to kiss her when Jacques appears. Prosper is ordered out of the place, and tells the students that Marguerite is beautiful and virtuous. Horace, another student, wagers a dinner that she will be his a month from that date, which, by the way, will be the wedding day of Jacques and Marguerite. One month later the students are all assembled for dinner, Jacques, who has not seen his companion for over a month, enters the café and asks if he may join the party, not knowing the nature. Horace then toasts "His Marguerite, who works in Madame Celeste's shop." As there is but one Marguerite in the shop in question Jacques demands that Horace retract the toast. Horace shows her ring which Jacques insists he stole. Horace challenges Jacques to a duel. Jacques rushes to Marguerite's room, where he finds her directing a letter to him. She hands the missive to him. He reads, "You'll never see me again. I am a defiled creature." Jacques bids her leave. He makes his will leaving all to Marguerite. Marguerite begs his friend to get Jacques to finish reading her letter. Jacques consents and so Varney finishes reading the confession of how she had gone home with Madame Celeste who had feigned sickness, was introduced to a man she called her brother, that after drinking her wine she was powerless to move, and next morning she found herself. Jacques resolves to kill Horace. Varny asks Jacques if he will not see Marguerite. He does, but when Marguerite hears that a duel is to be fought begs Jacques not to go, as she is sure he will be killed. Jacques is not to be swerved from his purpose. On the field of honor Horace says that he is in the wrong and wants to apologize. Jacques strikes him in the face. They fire. Jacques is shot, but not mortally and the doctor tells him he will soon be all right. He is carried back to his rooms. There is a reconciliation, and so Jacques at last has his heart's desire.