Rare Cinematic Gems Sharing the Atmosphere of The Woman Michael Married: Cult Guide

Dir: Henry Kolker

Dance-hall queen Kate Carewe is the toast of the gold-mining camp of Huxley's Gulch. One day a minister, Ralph Bowen, arrives to "clean up" the town. He is scorned by the miners, gamblers and "loose women" of the place, especially Kate, who resents that Bowen calls her a "scarlet woman". One day a plague hits the settlement and many of the townspeople abandon the disease's victims and head for the hills--except for Kate and Ralph, who begin to see each other in a new light.

Dir: Henry Kolker

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

A Duc's daughter learns her rescuer killed her brother and betrays his plan to save the queen.

Dir: Henry Kolker

In 1905, the Lantinis and their children, Lorenzo and Francesca, emigrate to New York. Though poor, the family's situation begins to improve when Mr. Manton, a wealthy contractor, offers to provide Lorenzo with the opportunity for advancement, in gratitude for his having saved his daughter Dorothy in an accident. Fifteen years later, the Lantinis have advanced: Lorenzo is a successful architect, in love with Dorothy. At the Manton's party, Lorenzo and Francesca meet Richard Sewall, a theatrical magnate, for whom Lorenzo has designed a building. When Francesca meets with Sewall regarding some costumes, he seduces her. Lorenzo learns what has happened and goes to Sewall's office, only to find him dead, just as the police arrive. He is convicted of the crime, but his mother never doubts his innocence and seeks to prove it. By coincidence, she meets Sewall's wife, who confesses that she murdered Sewall because of his cruelty. Lorenzo is free, and the family reunited.

Dir: Henry Kolker

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

When Alden Van Dusen, a third-generation member of a prestigious old New York family, is faced with the alternatives of allowing his firm to go bankrupt or becoming involved in fraud, he decides on suicide. As he is about to drown himself, Alden is attacked by a thug and, in the ensuing struggle, his assailant is killed. Seizing upon the opportunity, Alden changes identities with the dead man and drifts West, where he becomes an employee in his firm's mine. Working tirelessly to make the mine a success, Alden saves the business and redeems himself. When he discovers that his wife Helen is not receiving her share of the profits and is being driven to remarry to provide support for his child, Alden returns East, where he is reunited with his family and upholds the honor of the third generation.

Dir: Henry Kolker

At Eslick's Grand Palace Hotel in Circle City, Alaska, five Klondike derelicts hold council to decide on some means of recouping their depleted finances. Emily Dwyer, who has come north to marry Graham following news of his success, is discouraged but is saved from suicide by MacDonald, a former football star. At his suggestion, they raise the money for the premium on one insurance policy, to be taken on the life of whoever draws the ace in faro: he would commit suicide at the end of a year, and the other four would become beneficiaries. MacDonald draws the fatal card, then, discovering a gold vein in his mine claim, he abandons the insurance plan. All then find prosperity with MacDonald, who develops a love affair with Emily.

Dir: Henry Kolker

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

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Henry Kolker

The story of British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli and the purchase by England of the Suez Canal.

Dir: Henry Kolker

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

While traveling through India with her Aunt Eva, Arlee Eversham meets Billy Hill, an American, and Captain Falconer, a British officer, both of whom fall in love with her. Curiosity leads Arlee to accept an invitation from the Rajah of the province to visit his palace. Aunt Eva receives a letter of invitation intended for her niece and, thinking that it is for herself, goes to the palace. Once there, both women are held prisoners, destined to become members of the Rajah's harem, until Arlee manages to send word to Billy of her predicament. Accompanied by Captain Falconer, Billy leads a successful rescue in which he saves Arlee, and the Captain discovers, much to his consternation, that he has rescued Aunt Eva.

Dir: Henry Kolker

On a South Sea island, wealthy hunter Scott Quaigg meets Tiare, the daughter of a drunken Scotsman and a native woman, who happily give permission to marry her. While sailing to his home in New York, Quaigg treats Tiare roughly and throws Captain Croft overboard when he comes to her defense. Quaigg attempts to tame Tiare by exploiting her superstitions and threatening her with the same whip he uses on his pet leopard. Later, Tiare awaits her husband's return from a hunting trip with a gun and fires as a man enters, only to discover that it is Captain Croft, who was saved from drowning. Quaigg finds them together and releases the leopard. However, the beast kills its master before being shot by Croft. Afterward, Tiare and Croft return to the South Seas together.

Dir: Henry Kolker

Two inmates and a cleaning girl at a home for struggling artists achieve success and fame when they pool their talents and produce a smash hit Broadway musical. Edgar (Monte Blue), the playwright, is in love with April (Madge Kennedy), the ex- leading lady, but she doesn't discover that she loves him until it's almost too late.