The Definitive Guide Deeply Connected to The Million Dollar Handica...

Dir: Scott Sidney

Nan is the soda fountain queen in Dead Dog. She is in love with Billy, but she got a letter from a New York lawyer saying that she and her cousin, Hezekiah, a New England school teacher, would have to marry in order to share a bequest of some thousands of dollars. Hezekiah was on his way west and because Nan would lose the money if she turned him down, she conceived the idea of rejuvenating the wildness of Dead Dog to frighten poor Hezey out of marrying her. With the scene all set and Hezekiah duly shocked, Nan made her entry, riding her horse up the steps and into the bar. In spite of his terror, Hezekiah was willing to go on with the ceremony, and just as Nan and he were about to say "I do," Billy made his entry and began to shoot up the place. This was too much for Hezekiah, and he started running, caught the observation platform of a train starting for the east.

Dir: Scott Sidney

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Reggie Morris

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Scott Sidney

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

The story derives its plot from a practical joke perpetrated by underclassmen at the theological seminary from which Arthur Rayburn has just been graduated. At the reception following his ordination, these jokers put rum in the punch served and Rayburn becomes intoxicated. In this condition he is unfrocked by the bishop and the latter's daughter Rene breaks their engagement. Down into the slums goes Rayburn, where he falls under the influence of pretty piano player Rags in a saloon. Rags tries to redeem him, but makes little headway until she prevents the young preacher's attempt to commit suicide in the river. She loves him without reserve and under her guiding care be recovers from his degradation and opens a club for working men. He is so successful that the enterprise comes to the attention of the bishop of the diocese. The bishop visits the club, recognizes its leader, and promptly reinstates him in the ministry. With his future assured, Rayburn turns in gratitude to the girl of the slums who has saved him. He asks her to marry him but in spite of her love, knowing that he still loves Rene, Rags refuses him and returns to the life in which he found her.

Dir: Edgar Jones

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

Dir: Harley Knoles

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

Jim McDonald, the foreman of a shipbuilding plant and head of the labor union, strives to combat the anarchistic propaganda being put forth by Klimoff, the leader of a Bolshevik gang whose goal is to disrupt the country with strikes and anarchy. Despite McDonald's efforts, a strike is called, resulting in chaos. McDonald's child is knocked down by runaway horses abandoned by their striking driver, and dies. Mob scenes take place in America, as well as in Russia. Eventually, the unrest is quelled with an armistice called between Capital and Labor for a year, during which time wages are to be increased to reflect the cost of living, and leaders are to work out a common plan for their mutual advantage. The strikers now realize that they have been pawns of the Bolsheviks and call off the strike, agreeing to the plan.

Dir: Scott Sidney

Reared by a childless ape, the orphaned heir of the Greystokes becomes one of the apes. Then Dr Porter organises a rescue expedition, and his beautiful daughter Jane catches his attention. Has Tarzan of the Apes found the perfect mate?

Dir: Scott Sidney

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

John Kemp, a wealthy man, after the announcement of his engagement to Eleanor Dutton, overhears her declare her love for another man, at the same time stating that she must marry Kemp for his money. Heartbroken, Kemp goes to the mountain wilderness. Eleanor marries the man she loves and Kemp marries The Morning Star, an Indian. They have a daughter, Alona, whom Kemp idolizes. She meets Frank Colvin, a poor young prospector, and they become attached to each other. Kemp feels it his duty to return to civilization in order to complete Alona's education. He places her in a fashionable boarding school. Upon learning that she is of Indian blood the girls snub her, only one, Myra Agnew, being kind. Myra takes Alona home with her at Christmas time, that she may meet her brother, Blinn, in the hopes that he will marry her. Alona, by accident, learns that Blinn cares only for her fortune, and upon the death of her father she returns to her people, embittered. She again meets Frank Colvin, who declares his love for her. She decides to test him and buys his mine through an unknown agent. He returns to the city, seeks out Alona, and promises to bring his mother and sister to see her. The mother and sister, however, having been informed that Frank intends to marry an Indian, call on Alona and, when they see her real beauty, tell her they do not wonder Frank loves her, and plan a big surprise for him. That night Alona sends her car for Frank and, accompanied by his mother and sister, they are driven to Alona's beautiful mansion. Here he finds her transformed from the simple Indian maiden he believes her to be into an heiress. Now that Alona is satisfied he loves her for herself alone, she reveals her real identity and their happiness is complete.

Dir: Edward LeSaint

When famous opera singer Elinore Duane undergoes an operation on her throat, she has a series of ether-induced visions. In one, she is transported to ancient Rome where she appears as a much-admired woman in love with Paul, a young heretic, and at odds with Lutor, the high priest. To save her love, she poisons Lutor with her ring. After several other visions which involve variations on this love triangle, Elinore awakens to discover that Lutor is actually her doctor, Sascha Jaccard, and that Paul is the son of a friend who has come to visit the recovering prima donna.

Dir: Scott Sidney

Barnard completes a study in oils which he calls "The Resurrection." It represents a beautiful, dark woman, her awakened soul shining from her eyes. At a private exhibit in the studio the painting causes a great deal of admiring comment, and Barnard's mother, a society leader and an art connoisseur, admits to her son that he virtually "imprisoned a woman's soul" in the canvas. The soul of the picture, a few days later, stirs to the depths of her being a sordid girl of the underworld whom Barnard has found in the night courts and persuaded to become his model for "The Fallen Woman." Irene Brock, once she has met the rapt, spiritual gaze of Barnard's ideal, involuntarily revolts against the hideousness of her environment. The trade she has been accustomed to ply in saloon dance-halls and low resorts becomes a torture to her. Day by day Irene watches the new painting grow. But she is changing. Barnard, feeling that something is unsatisfactory, and that he will be unable to paint from his model "The Fallen Woman" of his imagination, reluctantly brings the sittings to a close. The moment of parting precipitates an emotional crisis. Love, for the first time, has dawned in the girl's soul, and Barnard, moved by a profound sympathy, takes her in his arms. The young artist's mother finds them in this position; she diplomatically conceals her horror while smilingly asserting that "that could never be." Irene goes away, struggling to be resigned. But the young artist, fired by a self-sacrificing love, refuses to let this end the episode. At last, the mother seeks Irene in her squalid lodging. "Such a marriage," she pleads with the girl, "would make my son a social outcast. Even your love could not always make him forget." The soul of "The Resurrection" working upon her heart, and controlled also by her deep love for Barnard, Irene promises to cure him of his passion. That same night she deliberately gives herself up to a detective an old enemy of hers. The following morning she sends for Barnard to come to the night court and pay her fine. He goes. She is brought before the judge. To the charge, she replies, "I am guilty." Silently, Barnard puts the money on the desk. Outside, in the corridor, they meet. By sheer force of will, she resists the almost overwhelming impulse to fling herself in his arms and tell him the entire story of her deception. The next instant, with a murmured good-bye, he turns and rushes out of doors. That evening Irene slips into the deserted studio, and stands long before the painting of "The Resurrection." From these wonderful eyes she imbibes strength for her lonely struggle with the world.