Hand-Picked Alternatives for Fans of The Wax Model: Cult Guide

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Dr. Manning cherishes Gloriana, his newly-adopted young daughter, but Mrs. Manning, who directs overseas charity projects, has as little concern for Gloriana as she does for the poverty-stricken people in her own city. After listening to her new mother philosophize about the importance of charity, Gloriana takes some money from Mrs. Manning's desk and gives it to Miriam, her impoverished governess. Mrs. Manning at first accuses Miriam of theft, but when Gloriana confesses, Mrs. Manning suddenly realizes that she has been blind to the poverty that surrounds her, and she vows to start devoting her energy into helping those who are closer to home.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

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

Representing a large New York fish packing concern, George Wilton travels to the Newfoundland fishing village of Hearts Desire to purchase a packing plant, but he soon learns that the plant's owner, Jean Laroque, has no intention of selling. Wilton promises Jean's restless young fiancée, Judith Bretans, that he will finance her move to New York City provided she give him the deed to the plant. On the night of the wedding, Judith secures the papers from her new husband, and when Jean realizes that he has lost the plant to Wilton, he denounces Judith and leaves town. As the new owner, Wilton operates the plant with such cruelty that the outraged fishermen decide to revolt and are about to attack the building when Jean appears. Although he succeeds in dispersing the mob, Wilton is killed, and Judith, who has realized her foolishness, is reunited with her husband.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Abby Lou is the niece of the crabbed old antique dealer, Richard Cobb. Old Richard Cobb has a son who possesses all the qualities that his father seemingly was born without. This son, Tom Cobb, loves Abby Lou and is working on his great invention, a kettle that will not boil over. Finances are the only drawback to its successful achievement. Tom approaches wealthy old Joseph Snow for assistance but is turned down. Snow, though a hard man in money matters, in private life is also an unsuspected follower of Romance. In his home he has a secret chamber from which through the eyes of his portrait he can observe what goes on in his absence. Snow sees Abby in the antique shop and his charity offering of money to the ragged little girl is scorned. It amazes him; for the first time in his life his money is refused. It puzzles him and that night he decides on an eccentric test. The next day Abby Lou is notified that she is the heiress to deceased Snow's wealth. The lawyer takes her away to the mansion and she is surrounded by the parasitical Mrs. Rollins and her son Percival, relatives of Snow. Percival is in love with Marguerite D'Arcy but is as poor as a church mouse. Snow from his point of observation through the eves of his picture watches Abby set up Percival in business, secretly finance Tom's invention to success, reinstate his old and faithful employee Mace, and seemingly make everyone happy with his money. A new understanding of life and its meaning comes to Snow and the night of the mask ball Snow steps through the secret panel in costume, masked and apparently a guest. Then the denouement happens in a marvelously happy way and the Spirit of Romance, her mission finished, disappears forever.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

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

An alchemist, about to be burned at the stake, tells his captors that some day the teachings of the alchemists will be generally believed. The alchemist taught that the human character goes through a process of evolution and in the effort to conquer conditions about him, man finds his birth of character. Harry is in love with Grace. She is the good influence in his life. His companions influence him in the other direction. Large losses at cards make him desperate so that at a dance he is momentarily tempted to steal a diamond-studded hair ornament. The impulse immediately and he returns it, explaining that it dropped to the floor and he picked it up. Unfortunately a witness to both the impulse and the quick wit in pulling himself out of the dilemma was Darby, a master criminal. Later Harry is dragged to a gambling joint by his friends; the place is raided through Harry's bitter rival, Arthur Vane, from whom he rescues Alice, a girl who assists her father in the management of the place. All the boys are arrested except Harry, whom Alice saves by means of a secret door. He thus meets her father, who proves to be Darby. This leads Harry to his becoming the tool of Darby, and he is on the downward path. Harry and Grace become engaged. She does not know the life into which he is drifting. A dealer in objects shows them a valuable necklace. This latter is procured by Harry in a successful burglary. He is then sent to a fashionable house party by Darby to see what loot may be obtained there. Grace is a visitor at the same house party, and it is she who shoots him, not knowing his identity. Discovering who it is she saves him; the wound if only a scratch, but with scorn tells him she never wants to see him again. Harry then determines to make a man of himself, surrenders, and is imprisoned to pay the penalty of his crime. As an ex-convict he is welcomed only in the underworld. Alice, because she has fallen in love with him, unselfishly determines to help him, goes to Grace, pleads with her to overlook the past and give Harry a chance. Grace finally agrees to do so, and Alice sends Harry to her. He obtains a position and is rapidly demonstrating a real character. Refusing to have anything further to do with crooked work, he is threatened and only saved from trouble by the unselfish Alice. However, he repays this sacrifice with an open and cruel snub when with Grace he meets her on the street. Her love turns to hate. The master willingly lures him to his den, Alice maneuvers to lure Grace to the underworld, also so that she may be a witness to the punishment of her ungrateful lover. The situation works up to the dramatic climax where Darby is about to kill Harry when the police, summoned by Grace through a ruse, break in and she and Harry are saved.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

The son of a wealthy imported goods dealer, Herbert Franklyn refuses to curb his appetite for gaiety and women after his engagement, with the result that his fiancee, Miriam Faversham, breaks off their relationship. On the firm's annual trip to Japan, Herbert meets Cherry Blossom, whose father Tokimasa wishes her to marry a Westerner. Despite her love for Kato Nakamura, Cherry Blossom complies with her father's wishes and departs for New Rochelle with her new husband. Soon after their arrival, Herbert resumes his old habits, neglecting his lonely bride. Kato has a vision of Cherry Blossom's unhappiness and comes to America with Tokimasa, who strangles Herbert and commits suicide.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

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

Young Polly Eccles is raising her sickly young brother Billy. When her doctor advises taking Billy away from their dank slum, she packs them both up and they head for California. While hitchhiking there, they are picked up by Kirk Drummond, who just happens to be driving to California himself. Upon their arrival, Kirk's wealthy father John is horrified that he has hooked up with a "lower-class" woman like Polly and does everything he can to make life miserable for her so she will leave. However, an incident occurs at the mine John's father owns that could turn out badly for all concerned.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Helen Ainsworth, a young philanthropist, who is interested in a prison reform movement, is engaged to Norman Morris, administrator of the Ainsworth millions and the undiscovered "man higher up," grafting through his influence with prison wardens. He is also having an "affair" with Felice, Helen's maid, an ex-convict. Governor Havens sends for Huntington Babbs, prison expert, who enters the prison as a convict, is discovered by Helen and made her secretary upon his release. Morris is jealous of the good-looking secretary and he makes Felice "plant" a necklace which he has presented to Helen, in Babbs' room. Babbs discovers the plot, and Morris, overhearing his plan to visit a certain place in the rough part of the city, for Helen, plans to get him. He orders the gang to murder him. Helen accompanies Babbs (or Conroy, as he is known). Morris learns Helen has gone and reaches the place just as the men have nearly overpowered Conroy. Morris allows the men to escape, but Helen refuses his offer to take her home, preferring Conroy. Infuriated, Morris plans to have the Ainsworth safe burglarized the night of Helen's party. Conroy discovers the burglar and that he is Gilligan, whom he befriended in prison. Conroy sends a note to the Governor by Gilligan. Just as the burglar leaves, the guests of the house enter the library. Conroy is accused, but Helen allows no arrests. She orders Conroy to leave the house. Morris betrays the girl Felice by suggesting her arrest as an accomplice. Morris accompanies Helen to the Governor's office. The Governor requests an interview with Morris and accuses him of being the "man higher up." Morris asks for his witnesses and a door is opened, disclosing Gilligan and the gang, and Felice. Conroy is introduced as Huntington Babbs, prison expert. Morris is staggered. Helen overjoyed. Morris is arrested, but just as he is leaving Felice shoots him. Unconsciously, Helen goes into the arms of the man she loves.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

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

Yano is a small delivery boy for his uncle, who keeps a curio shop in Chinatown. His loves are Tama, his sweetheart, and Bengi, his dog. Bengi is seized by dog catchers, but is rescued by Letty Stanford, for which Yano promises his fealty. Later Letty is kidnapped by Germans because of her war activities, and it is Yano who goes to her rescue and gets her free in spite of his diminutive size. The Little Japanese has paid his debt.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Colonel Dabney Mills, whose Southern plantation is heavily mortgaged, makes a trip to New York hoping to borrow money from James Adams, his granddaughter Anna Belle's husband. When the colonel arrives, he learns that Adams's entire capital is tied up in a big stock deal, and that he is therefore unable to lend the colonel any assistance. While Adams is away, one of his business partners entrusts the colonel with $5,000 to retain for his grandson-in-law. Desperate, the colonel speculates in cotton on the tip of an old friend and loses the money. Conscience-stricken, the colonel returns to his plantation determined to take his life, but Adams, successful in his deal, arrives just in time to prevent the tragedy.

Dir: E. Mason Hopper

Social worker John Warfield meets socialist radical Guido Garcia, and together they establish a refuge in San Francisco for life's unfortunates. Goldie Shepard, whose father is an alcoholic, develops an interest in socialism and becomes Warfield's stenographer. Goldie's hatred of the rich increases when her father is killed by an automobile in which society woman Lorraine Van Allen is riding. As a result of the accident, Lorraine becomes a supporter of the refuge. Meanwhile, Warfield's mother dies in England and leaves him a large estate. When Warfield marries Goldie and takes her to England, he is shocked to see her fondness for luxury, and soon decides to donate his estate to the poor and return to San Francisco. Guido, who had been Goldie's suitor, learns of her marriage and murders her, after which he leaps from a bridge to his death. Later, Warfield marries Lorraine, and they convert the English mansion into a children's home.