Hand-Picked Alternatives for Fans of The Man from Montana: Cult Guide

Dir: George Marshall

Ruth Robin is the daughter of a millionaire, and is attending a seminary for girls at the time the story opens. Her father, Daniel Robin, is a recluse and lives in perpetual fear of death at the hands of a criminal band known as the "Terrible Thirteen." He has been forced Into membership of this band against his will. Daniel Robin is shot from behind by LaFarge, the leader of the "Terrible Thirteen," who is known as the Hound. While on his death bed Mr. Robin has his daughter summoned. He tells her in the presence of his trusted butler, Wayman, that she must recover a Peacock Fan stolen by the band, as it contains a secret affecting her. She must also accept thirteen separate keys as they are handed to her by an unknown hand, and follow the Instructions in each instance. Ruth agrees to these terms, and after her father's death starts out on the first mission. It takes her to the home of the Countess Zitka, where she finds the Peacock Fan. Later, she is forced to invade the headquarters of the "Terrible Thirteen," and still later another key takes her into the heart of Chinatown.

Dir: George Marshall

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Why Trust Your Husband perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Elmer Day and his wife, Eunice, are visiting Gilbert and Maud Stone, and the two husbands, wishing to attend a masquerade, plead business engagements to escape from their wives. But the wives, discovering the invitation, also attend, and matters are complicated by changes and substitutions of costumes and the appearance of Mrs. Day's aunt and uncle. After a police raid there are general explanations and reconciliations at the police court.

Dir: George Marshall

Upon riding into a border town, Tex Roberts soon rescues lovely Ramona Wadley from the unwanted attentions of Pete Dinsmore, leader of a gang of rustlers, and later plucks her sister in time from a stampede, he is then awarded a job on the Wadley ranch. When the owner sends his son, Ford, who is in alliance with Dinsmore, to collect money, a fake holdup is staged and Ford is killed. Tex is arrested but clears his name and fights to a showdown with Pete and the gang.

Dir: George Marshall

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

A visit to a police station starts the chase of a notorious thief and killer and Van finds himself, against his will, dragooned into the role of an arm of the law.

Dir: George Marshall

The "hero" knows as much about sailing as a reformer about a drinking song, but a tricky fate decrees that he shall be skipper to his sweetheart and a bunch of girl friends. The crew turns out to be a crowd of bootleggers. They man-handle him severely until fate swings to his side and a series of fortunate coincidences gives him control of them.

Dir: George Marshall

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

"Windy" Watkins is fond of spinning wild stories of his daring exploits, to his fellow cowhands, while around the campfire at night but is given the chance to prove he is more than talk when Bill Spray and his henchmen set their sights on a gold claim belonging to the father of his sweetheart, Eunice Hollis.

Dir: George Marshall

Tex Benton, a cowboy from Texas, is in love with Janet McWhorter, the daughter of a sheep rancher. Mr. McWhorter is willing to let Tex marry Janet if he lives on the ranch and tends sheep, which Tex finds objectionable. After a fight in the town saloon, he rides off, rescuing Alice Endicott from the back of a runaway horse as he is being pursued by the town badman, Jack Purdy. There is a series of complications, including Purdy's kidnapping of Janet and the general belief Tex has kidnapped Alice. Finally, in a daring feat, Tex swings from a tree on a mountainside and saves Janet. They soon marry.

Dir: George Marshall

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Paul Jones, Jr. perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Van Bibber's girl nearly succumbs to the masculine form of a prizefighter aboard a ship returning to the United States. Van Bibber, while under the influence of a female hypnotist, knocks out the pugilist. It gets in the home town papers and Van Bibber is a hero. For society, Van Bibber consents to box a "set-up." The real fighter appears, however, and is worsting Van Bibber when the hypnotist intercedes and the hero scores another knockout.

Dir: George Marshall

A young woman finds a trunk full of stolen diamonds, takes them and heads westward, pursued by the thief.

Dir: George Marshall

College athlete Herbert Parker arrives from the East to take charge of his Arizona ranch, and discovers that Luke Bramley, owner of a neighboring ranch, is contesting Herbert's rights to a valuable source of water. However, Herbert is in love with Luke's daughter, Loretta, and accepts a job on the Bramley ranch. Herbert uncovers a plot by ranch foreman Tex Marole, who plans to kidnap Loretta with help from a gang of desperadoes. In the ensuing battle, Luke's men employ automobiles to attack the villains. As Tex's victory seems imminent, Herbert drives onto the scene with a lasso, while Luke drops dynamite from an airplane. After defeating the outlaws, Herbert marries Loretta and invites her father to live with them.