Masterpiece Selection Resonating with the Themes of The Man Who Fig...

Dir: Wallace Worsley

After Alice Dane, a poor English schoolteacher, witnesses Sir John Turnbull throw an adversary over a cliff, Turnbull offers her money and marriage, because a wife cannot testify against her husband. To support her invalid father and for desired luxuries, Alice accepts, but she finds her husband humiliating and insulting. When Bobby Ralston, the superintendent of Turnbull's South African mines, reports that Turnbull's interests are endangered by a Zulu uprising, Turnbull takes Alice to Africa. After Turnbull shoots an emissary of Zulu chief Cetygoola carrying a flag of truce, Alice is taken hostage, to be burned at the stake unless the messenger's killer is offered. Knowing that Ralston loves Alice, Turnbull dares him to offer himself, which he does, but the Zulus realize he is not the guilty party. During the Zulus' subsequent attack, Ralston and Alice escape to an observation balloon. Reinforcements defeat the Zulus, but Cetygoola hides and kills Turnbull. Ralston and Alice are then free to marry.

Dir: Wilfred Lucas

Brian O'Farrell (Snowy Baker), is an English 'new chum' who takes a job at an Australian cattle station. He is teased by station hands because of his appearance (including spats and a monocle) but he soon impresses them with his skills at riding and boxing. The station manager, John MacDonald (Wilfred Lucas), takes O'Farrell to Sydney to meet his daughter Edith (Kathleen Key) who is working in the slums. Edith is kidnapped by criminals after witnessing a crime but O'Farrell rescues her. It is later revealed he is the owner of the station.

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

Dir: Wallace Worsley

A deformed criminal mastermind plans to loot the city of San Francisco as well as revenge himself on the doctor who mistakenly amputated his legs.

Dir: Wallace Worsley

Neysa von Igel, who is living with her supposed grandfather Adolph Schmidt, loves America, although she believes herself to be German-born. Unknown to Neysa, when she was three years old, her American-born parents were killed in Germany by Emil Koenig, whose punishment was to be sent to the United States to work in the interest of the government of the Fatherland, and who is now associated with Schmidt in his manufacturing enterprise. Koenig demands that Neysa work in behalf of Germany. She revolts and escapes to the home of David Hale, who had been her grandfather's attorney but who is now in the service of the United States Government. Hale and Neysa are married and depart for France, where the girl again encounters Koenig, and, after many thrilling adventures, she kills him in self-defense.

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

Dir: Wallace Worsley

Jane Cabot, a working girl whose mother Marion sings in a cabaret and whose father Jim simply loafs, dreams of leaving the slums for a new life. After Jane's mother is discharged, however, Jane is forced to take her place in McGann's saloon, where she attracts the attention of political boss Thomas Dolan and his young assistant, Lee Stevens, who has recently come to New York from the mountains of the West. When Dolan insults Jane, she throws wine in his face, which infuriates Dolan but deeply impresses the idealistic Westerner. Dolan's systematic harassment causes Jane to lose every position she secures, but Lee, believing her unfaithful, returns to the mountains. Meanwhile, Jane's father is convicted of killing a policeman, and on the day he is imprisoned, her mother commits suicide. Lee learns that Jane still loves him and returns to New York just as Dolan is taking the dazed girl to his apartment. The two men engage in a fierce struggle until the police, who have discovered the politician's corruption, enter and arrest Dolan.

Dir: Wallace Worsley

Adele Bleneau is a young nurse who assists her father, a renowned surgeon/. While in Washington, DC, she meets and falls in love with a British army officer, Capt. Fraser. While traveling by ship to France with her father, she meets Count von Schulling, a German diplomat who is an acquaintance of her father. Von Schulling falls for the pretty young Adele. While in France, Adele organizes a rescue party to save Capt. Fraser, who has been on a secret mission behind enemy lines and has been wounded. In a twist of fate, Adele finds the wounded Fraser and takes him to a hospital, but Count von Schuling, who has also been wounded, is placed in the same room as Fraser. When the hospital is overrun by German forces, Adele is placed in a delicate position by von Sculling: either spy for the Germans or Fraser will be shot.

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

Dir: Wallace Worsley

Unknown to his proud, wealthy family, Granger Hollister marries telephone operator Margery Harding. Granger presents his new wife at an engagement party given for his sister Jane, but Jane's fiance', Lord Cecil Graydon, threatens to break off the betrothal unless Granger's marriage is annulled. To please his sister, Granger sacrifices Margery, who seeks work and later gives birth. After her baby's death, Margery goes West, where she befriends and old miner who later leaves her his fortune. Meanwhile, Granger becomes involved in a fraudulent mining deal, and because of George Osborne's perjured testimony, he is sent to prison for five years. When he escapes, Margery agrees to hide him and is ultimately responsible for obtaining his pardon. Granger then remarries the wife he had abandoned.

Dir: Bruno Ziener

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

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

Dir: Edgar Jones

A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.

Dir: Robert N. Bradbury

A simple country girl, brutally mistreated by her stepfather, awakens first the sympathy, then the love, of The Boy. The Spider, who lusts after The Girl, makes a bargain with the stepfather and takes her to the city where, kept prisoner, she is soon broken in health and spirit. Cast out and near death, she is taken in by The Boy. Following the demise of The Spider, The Boy takes her to church, where he prays, and after many hours she is restored to health.