Top-Tier Alternatives In the Shadow of The Wild Rider: Cult Guide

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

Irresponsible Billy Thorpe is sent to South America by his fiancée Claire's father, "rubber king" George Vincent, to reform. Upon arriving, Billy goes to work for the plantation foreman, Vincent's son-in-law James Ellison, who is having an affair with native girl Koree. When the Vincent yacht unexpectedly arrives, bringing Vincent, Claire, and Ellison's wife Mary, Billy induces Ellison to behave respectably, and the two go on board. That evening, Koree swims to the yacht, and Ellison allows the party to suspect that she is Billy's sweetheart. Billy keeps silent for Mary's sake, but after a fight with Santos Cordero, Koree's former lover, he becomes so disgusted with Ellison's treachery and the others' suspicions that he swims ashore, wounded, and is nursed by Koree. Claire follows and, after learning the truth from Koree, is reconciled with Billy while Ellison is sent home to rehabilitate himself.

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

This opens with election day scenes at Sunset City and goes on to picture the exciting manner in which Eddie helps to clean up a nest of bandits.

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

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

Dynamite Steve Dorsey of the Texas Rangers finds his pal Val Nelson murdered by a member of Sheriff Pat Garrity's gang and vows vengeance. At the ranch of Col. Lee Calhoun, Steve relates the news to Anita, his sweetheart. Garrity, who covets Anita and has plotted to steal the colonel's payment of the mortgage on his ranch, arrives to foreclose but finds Steve there. Steve is captured by Garrity's men and jailed, but he manages to notify the Rangers, and Captain Hughes arrives at the town just in time to rout Garrity's gunmen and prevent Steve's death. Steve obtains evidence on which to convict the sheriff of Val's murder, and following the showdown Anita admits her love for Steve.

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

Sheriff Buck Marston, Sr. and his wife are killed after he defies the bandit known as the Wolf. Years later, Marston's son Buck, reared by kind rancher Jack Remington, steps into his father's shoes and becomes sheriff, vowing vengeance for the death of his family. Eventually only the Wolf and his son remain, and although Buck finally succeeds in capturing the Wolf, the Whelp comes to his father's rescue and frees him. Meanwhile, when Remington overhears his younger daughter Dolly confide in her sister Barbara, Buck's fiancée, that she has been having an affair with the Whelp, Remington misunderstands and, assuming that Barbara has been betrayed, insists that she marry the outlaw. Returning from his pursuit of the Wolf, Buck learns of Barbara's fate and speeds to the Wolf's den where the Whelp has taken his bride. Buck saves Barbara, kills the outlaws. and succeeds in winning both revenge and his sweetheart.

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

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

Tempest is the chief peace officer of a wild western town.

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

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

Douglas MacLeod of the Royal North West Mounted Police is in love with Suzanne Foucharde, who has adopted an abandoned Indian baby, the illegitimate child of Louis La Rocque and Na Fa Kowa. When La Rocque insinuates that the baby is Suzanne's, her brother Henry defends his sister's honor and kills the villain. In spite of his love for Suzanne, it is Douglas' duty to arrest Henry. He does so, but later allows him to escape, taking the bullet himself that was fired after Henry by Constable Burke. Meanwhile, the dead body of Na Fa Kowa is found, accompanied by a note proving that the Indian was the baby's mother. In the spring, when Douglas recovers from his wounds, he and Suzanne are married.

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

Serial about Japanese spies trying to invade the US but whose plans are foiled by a rich heiress and a Secret Service agent.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Down But Not Out perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.