Hand-Picked Alternatives for Fans of The Turn in the Road: Cult Guide

Dir: King Vidor

Millie Stope lives with her grandfather on a remote island. Her grandfather fled there for political reasons. But they're not alone. An escaped prisoner, Nicholas, is terrorizing them, and further more, he's interested in Mllie. John Woolfolk has lost his wife in an accident and tries to forget by sailing in his yacht aimlessly on the ocean. By chance he drops anchor in a bay of that island. He soon finds out that something is wrong on that island, and furthermore, he falls in love with Millie, who sees in him a chance to get off that island. But Nicholas has threatened her with rape and murder if she tries to escape, and he has found out about her plans...

Dir: King Vidor

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Three Wise Fools 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

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 Woman of Bronze perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Wealthy, spoiled society girl Judith Stafford accepts a marriage proposal from rich European Count Henri and adopts his arrogance and contempt for American "barbarians". This angers her father Tobias, who arranges for Judith and a cowboy friend of his, Larry Saunders, to be marooned on a South Sea island to teach her a lesson and break her spirit. At first the "test" has no effect on her, but she soon begins to warm to Larry--until her snobbish fiance' shows up.

Dir: King Vidor

Nancy Scroggs, the daughter of the owner of a once-famous but now-struggling hotel, hatches a plan to draw in new customers. She picks up Peter Alstyne, a young man following his doctor's orders of a strict diet and a relaxing vacation, at the train station and convinces him--using the philosophy of Christian Science--to disregard his doctor's orders and stay at their hotel and eat all he wants. Soon he and Nancy fall in love and the hotel begins to pick up business again. But soon Peter receives a letter that changes everything for both him and Nancy.

Dir: King Vidor

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

Donald Trent, the son of an iron-works owner, loses his belief in class distinction and recognizes his debt to others while fighting in the trenches. At home he tells his father, who abhors sentiment in business, that he wants to start at the bottom and becomes a mill hand, working near his Army buddy Colonel Jimmy, a machinist. While Donald and his sweetheart Katherine Boone are helping Jimmy care for his sick girlfriend Jennie Jones, known as "The Jazz Kid," Donald learns that his father has died and that he must take over the business. Donald's attitude soon changes, and when Jimmy, now foreman, demands repairs be made to protect lives, Donald refuses. When a wall collapses on Jimmy and he goes temporarily blind, the men strike. Katherine refuses to marry Donald, and works for an uplifting newspaper popular among the poor. After an article by Katherine changes Donald, he orders reforms and they marry. Jimmy's sight returns and he marries Jennie.

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 Better Times perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

In the reign of King Louis XIII, dashing rogue and libertine Marquis de Bardelys is entranced by Roxalanne de Lavedan. Against a background of knavery and intrigue he sets out to woo and win her.

Dir: King Vidor

The sky pilot is a preacher who helps Gwen walk again after a near-fatal accident.

Dir: King Vidor

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