Editor's Top Picks Sharing the Atmosphere of Unseen Hands: Cult Guide

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.

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of The Red Ace 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 daredevil flyer delivers the night mail despite threats from weather and robbers.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Cyclone Smith Plays Trumps perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

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

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

A 20 part 2-reel Western film serial.

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

Dir: Wilfred Lucas

Brian O'Farrell (Snowy Baker), is an English 'new chum' who takes a job at an Australian cattle station. He is teased by station hands because of his appearance (including spats and a monocle) but he soon impresses them with his skills at riding and boxing. The station manager, John MacDonald (Wilfred Lucas), takes O'Farrell to Sydney to meet his daughter Edith (Kathleen Key) who is working in the slums. Edith is kidnapped by criminals after witnessing a crime but O'Farrell rescues her. It is later revealed he is the owner of the station.

Dir: Edward LeSaint

When famous opera singer Elinore Duane undergoes an operation on her throat, she has a series of ether-induced visions. In one, she is transported to ancient Rome where she appears as a much-admired woman in love with Paul, a young heretic, and at odds with Lutor, the high priest. To save her love, she poisons Lutor with her ring. After several other visions which involve variations on this love triangle, Elinore awakens to discover that Lutor is actually her doctor, Sascha Jaccard, and that Paul is the son of a friend who has come to visit the recovering prima donna.

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Tempest Cody Rides Wild perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Dir: Jacques Jaccard

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

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.