Deep Archive Finds in the Vein of The Whirlpool: Cult Guide

Dir: Alan Crosland

Alan Croft, a young aviator and a girl from a strict English background are stranded on a cannibal island when their plane crashes on the way to Australia. The natives worship them, believing them to be gods, until a native girl discovers that the pilot is mortal. Giving up hope of rescue, they marry in the sight of God, but when they are found by a search plane Alan is wounded and left for dead. Barbara is spurned by her friends and family as having sinned, but Alan returns to claim her legally.

Dir: Alan Crosland

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Apple-Tree Girl perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Charlotte Marlin was raised on a Connecticut farm in the shadow of Micah's apple tree, whose fruit, according to legend, changed from pale green to spotted red after a peddler was killed and buried at its base. Orphaned, Charlotte goes to live with her aunt and pretty cousin Margaret. She meets Neil Kennedy, a poor boy who is working his way through college, and they become friends. Margaret, who is engaged to wealthy Willis Hayland, teases Charlotte, who considers herself to be plain-looking. At high school graduation Charlotte's academic achievements are obscured by Margaret's leading role in the school play. Jealous of Margaret, Charlotte resolves to make everybody like her, to be famous, and to marry a millionaire. She learns that to make everybody like her, she must be friendly to everyone. To become famous, she becomes a golfer and wins the world's championship tournament. She nurses millionaire Perry Graham after hitting him in the head with a golf ball, supposedly an accident, but when Perry falls in love with her, Charlotte realizes that she loves Neil, who has become a promising physician.

Dir: Alan Crosland

In Scotland in 1751, young David Balfour is shanghaied aboard a ship where he meets Jacobite rebel Alan Breck Stewart with whom he escapes to the Scottish Highlands, dodging the redcoats.

Dir: Alan Crosland

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

A Russian prince has to flee his country after fighting a duel. He falls in love with a duchess, but becomes jealous when he finds out she has a lover.

Dir: Alan Crosland

With only a card of introduction to a music impresario, singer Margaret Brooke goes to the city to establish her career. Once there, she meets young violinist Jack Martin, who falls in love with her. The impresario introduces her to art patron Mrs. Philip Waring, whose husband offers her an apartment under the pretext that it belongs to a traveling friend. After Philip makes advances to Margaret, she realizes her naïveté, but Jack refuses to believe her story. She then appeals to the impresario for help--and he also attempts to take advantage of her. After finally persuading Jack of her innocence, he writes an opera which catapults Margaret to success, and as the curtain rings down, the two new stars on the operatic horizon announce their marriage.

Dir: Alan Crosland

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

Boston Blackie Dawson gets some jewels that belonged to the imperial family of Russia. A gang of terrorists is after the jewels.

Dir: Alan Crosland

Connemara Moore, heiress to millions, cannot decide between two suitors: one wants her to get her hair bobbed; the other does not. Furthermore, her wealthy aunt will disown her if she bobs her hair. Running away from it all, she gets into a car driven by David Lacy, and, in short succession, becomes involved with bootleggers, wild parties, fights, and love. Connemara marries David, thereby solving her dilemma.

Dir: Alan Crosland

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

Douglas Albright, a hero just returned from the war, is conscience-stricken over allowing his buddy to die. Taking charge of his future father-in-law's business, he goes to China to gain self-control. There he meets his friend's widow and offers to give up Helen, his fiancée, for her; however, the widow's suicide frees him from this obligation, and he finds happiness with Helen.

Dir: Alan Crosland

Weary of life in the small New England fishing village of Rest Haven, Michael Strange accepts the offer of Paul Grayson, a wealthy old man who had been convalescing at the seashore, to return to New York with him. Once there, Michael falls in love with Laura Greer, unaware that she is Grayson's mistress. They are planning to run away when Grayson returns from a trip and enlightens Michael about Laura's background. Stunned, Michael deserts Laura but soon forgives her. Returning to her apartment, Michael discovers that Laura has killed Grayson. They escape to Rest Haven, but are found by the police just as Laura dies.

Dir: Alan Crosland

A wealthy young American, bred to class distinction and racial intolerance, enters First World War. In the course of his experiences in the trenches and being wounded, he comes to a recognition of the equality and brotherhood of men.