Masterpiece Selection Resonating with the Themes of The Red Glove: Cult Guide

Dir: J.P. McGowan

Ruth Gaylord gives up her home in New York to marry John Gaylord but grows discontented with the loneliness and desolation of life in the West and leaves her husband. After returning home, she hears that he has struck one of the richest gold veins in California. A letter surrendering her interests in the mine falls into the hand of Kirk Harding, an eastern capitalist; and John, tricked into surrendering his rights and discovering the truth, struggles with Harding. Ruth awakens, discovering it was all a dream, and decides not to leave her dedicated husband after all.

Dir: J.P. McGowan

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.P. McGowan

Hawke, Jr., son of a famous New York detective, is challenged by his father to capture "The Blackbirds," a gang of smugglers, finds himself stranded in Algiers. Aware of Hawke's presence, Bechel, the Blackbirds' leader, instructs his accomplice, Leonie Sobatsky, to become friendly with the Crockers, a nouveau riche couple, and later in America, exchange a fake Oriental rug for a $10,000 genuine one which they recently purchased from one of Bechel's contacts. On the steamer returning to the United States, Leonie meets Nevil Trask, an English jewel thief posing as a nobleman. After Hawke secures a position in the Crocker home in New York as a guard for their jewels, Leonie, who now loves Trask without knowing that he is a thief, decides not to switch the rugs, but Hawke, eager to capture Bechel, tricks Leonie into taking the antique. When she sees Trask stealing the Crockers' jewels, they both confess their crimes and plan to reform. Hawke overhears, and follows them to Bechel's headquarters, where he captures the leader. After Trask and Leonie promise to marry, Hawke sets them free.

Dir: J.P. McGowan

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

Henry Morgan advances the money to defend Bud Sanderson who is arrested for stealing cattle, in return for securing an option on the Sanderson ranch. Morgan hires "The Rattler" to evict the Sandersons from their ranch, but when he meets Helen Sanderson and discovers the injustice of Morgan's demands, he refuses to carry out his orders. Helen, suspecting Morgan of shady dealing, follows Bud, who has escaped from jail, to a desperadoes' hangout. The Rattler holds up the gang and forcibly carries Bud off to jail, where he will be safe. Misunderstanding The Rattler's motives, Helen sells the ranch to Morgan, who delivers false money to Helen. The Rattler pursues, and both are caught in a train wreck. Morgan, mortally injured, clears Bud, and The Rattler, though wounded, is urged to recovery by Helen's love.

Dir: J.P. McGowan

A train that is carrying the formula for a valuable form of granulated gasoline disappears before it reaches its destination. Railroad investigators and the authorities try to determine where it is and who took it.

Dir: J.P. McGowan

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

A small cattle rancher is being accused of being the mastermind behind a rash of cattle thefts. He must clear his name and find the real culprit.

Dir: J.P. McGowan

Tiring of hunting big game in the jungle, Jack Lodge, son of a wealthy man, seeks adventure in the underworld district of a big city. With his companion, Sanford, he visits a saloon, where Jack soundly beats the bouncer. As a reward, Mary Dover, the owner, hires him; and all goes well until The Baboon, a jealous intruder, orders Jack to leave the establishment within an hour. After consulting with Old Whitey, Mary bids him leave, but Jack discovers that Old Whitey and The Baboon are not only one and the same but also Mary's half-brother. Jack wins the girl and takes her to his home.

Dir: J.P. McGowan

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: J.P. McGowan

Two rival mountain clans that have been feuding for years begin a new battle over the moonshine whiskey trade. A young man and a girl from each of the different clans try to end the feud, and wind up falling for each other.

Dir: J.P. McGowan

U. S. Secret Service agent Burke is assigned to capture a gang of thieves attempting to smuggle valuable jewels from Cuba into the United States. Helen Morgan, a member of the gang, secretly loves Burke but ignores his entreaties to abandon her life of crime. Sylvia Ellis, whom Burke had befriended in Cuba, receives a box of candy from Helen, unaware that it contains the stolen jewels. On a steamship to Florida, Helen convinces Sylvia that Burke is a thief after the agent searches her cabin. Burke falls overboard during a fight with Helen's gang, and the ship lands with the jewels still in Sylvia's possession. After Helen invites Sylvia to her home and recovers the loot, Burke reappears to inform her of Helen's deception. Another battle with the gang ensues, and Helen is killed while trying to save Burke's life. Once the case is solved, Burke and Sylvia marry.