Deep Archive Finds in the Vein of The Other Half: Cult Guide

Dir: King Vidor

A young American soldier witnesses the horrors of the Great War.

Dir: King Vidor

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

Unlike earlier generations of Marys who used every trickery to secure husbands, Mary the Third questions the validity of marriage in her search for adventure. Unable to decide between quiet, polite Lynn and aggressive Hal, she follows her suitors, along with sweethearts Max and Tish, on an outing, but an attempted seduction sends her home, where she becomes disillusioned by the quarreling of her parents. When they are reconciled, however, she regains her ideals and accepts Lynn.

Dir: King Vidor

Gifted but neurotic novelist Jeffrey Dwyer is attracted to young, innocent Joan Converse, but neglects her when he meets sultry Inez Martin. After a short, passionate affair, Inez discards Jeffrey in favor of Harry Todd, whom she marries; Jeffrey turns to drink and debauchery and no longer writes. When he realizes the waste and futility of his life, he marries Joan, rents a lodge in the mountains, and writes a second successful novel. He and Joan are happy until Inez, whose marriage has failed, decides that she wants to resume her relationship with him. She rents a lodge near his, and after a sharp conflict between the idealistic and the sensual in his nature, Jeffrey leaves a letter for Joan, telling her that he is deserting her, and goes to Inez. Quickly realizing, however, that his infatuation with Inez is over, he returns to Joan, who forgives him and gladly welcomes him home again.

Dir: King Vidor

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

Paul Perry, the son of Perryville's wealthiest citizen, marries Reverend Matthew Barker's younger daughter Evelyn, while her sister June, who disputes her father's sermons preaching that it is God's will that sends affliction, hides her own love for Paul. When Evelyn dies in childbirth, Paul nearly goes insane. His questions to Reverend Barker about God's role in Evelyn's death shake Barker's faith. Barker's new sermons, focusing on God's love, arouse his wealthy congregation to dismiss him. Meanwhile, Paul searches for God's truth but becomes a derelict in Chicago. June takes Paul's child Bob to Chicago, but returns after being fired for refusing her employer's advances. Paul's father Hamilton, who denies wage increases at his iron works, is about to be shot by his employees, when Bob, now six, visits with his six puppies. His lovable nature subdues the workers, and Hamilton, also softened, complies with their requests. After Paul returns and learns that Bob, whose philosophy of love has touched him, is his own son, his happiness returns.

Dir: King Vidor

Sculptor Leonard Hunt is urged by his wife Vivian to compete for a million dollar prize competition for a Victory Memorial commemorating the First World War. Sylvia Morton models for Hunt, and they become romantically involved. In an attempt to save her marriage, Vivian persuades him to close the studio and go on a second honeymoon. But Hunt is unable to forget Sylvia, so he leaves Vivian. Vivian threatens to kill Sylvia unless she promises to give up Hunt. Months later, Hunt returns, remorseful and begging forgiveness, saying that Sylvia has married someone else.

Dir: King Vidor

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

Three elderly bachelors adopt a girl who's the daughter of the woman they were in love with in their youth.

Dir: King Vidor

The adventures of a young shopgirl who learns that having money is not the key to happiness.

Dir: King Vidor

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

A young woman's split personality creates a complicated life.

Dir: King Vidor

An aristocrat who was raised in Spain returns to the United States and falls in love with a plumber.

Dir: King Vidor

Dorothy Perkins, the eldest daughter of a simple, wholesome country family, leaves for the big city to study architecture. After winning a competition, she is a success, and meets Monty Rhodes, the son of aristocratic parents. Despite his parents' objections, Monty and Dorothy marry, but Mrs. Rhodes continually humiliates Dorothy for her lack of breeding. When she finally succeeds in driving the heartbroken Dorothy back to her own family, Monty realizes his mistake, and follows her to the country, where he finds happiness with his wife and their poor relations.