Deep Archive Finds in the Vein of Vagabond Luck: Cult Guide

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

Betty and Bob, guests at the brilliant De Courcey-Varnay wedding, suddenly decide to elope. Bob slips away to make accommodations at a nearby Inn, where they plan to spend a honeymoon. Betty prepares to join him, but is halted by a detective who demands to know the contents of her bag. She refuses, but is told by the sleuth that a necklace belonging to the bride had been stolen. She opens the bag, but Billy Trevor, standing nearby, stoops to help the young woman, dropping a handkerchief into the bag. He offers to accompany Betty to the station. The detective allows Betty to go, but holds Billy, who escapes and arrives at the Inn before the girl and Bob, who had figured in an automobile accident and [had been] taken to the hospital. Developments show that Billy had dropped the necklace in the bag and tries in vain to regain it, these efforts resulting in a series of complications. Finally Bob arrives and the bride is saved from further humiliation and embarrassment, while Billy makes a confession that exonerates everybody.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

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

Ben Lorimer and his daughter, Dot, are received with suspicion in a western town; when "Red" Kane rescues Dot, however, he wins her confidence and learns that Lorimer has adopted a new name and is wanted for a crime in Colorado for which he is not guilty. Trying to protect them from the sheriff and his posse, Red is wounded, but Dot nurses him. "Spunk" Lemm circulates rumors that Red is hiding behind a woman's skirts; Red engages in a fight with Spunk and, thinking he has killed him, returns to the hills; there he discovers the men who robbed the express office and gets a confession that clears Lorimer of the crime in Colorado. After resolving his difficulties, Red claims Dot as his future wife.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

Lawrence Hallor's plans to build model tenements for the poor are wrecked by his sweetheart's father, John Hamilton, a tyrannical political boss. He revives his plan under another identity, and Hamilton orders him crushed; but when Alice reveals his true identity, Hamilton revokes his order and sanctions the housing plan as well as his daughter's marriage.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

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

Cowboy Bill Moreland meets and falls in love with Janet Ainslee, a stranded actress. He sells his prize dogs to pay her way back to New York City and eventually follows her. Later, Bill rescues Janet from a producer who is willing to advance her career in exchange for her virtue. Bill and Janet marry and return west.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

Renegade mining engineer Carter Brent loses his money gambling in the Yukon. He falls in love with Snowdrift, a reputed "half-breed" who is actually a Caucasian orphan reared by a Native American woman. Carter is regenerated through his association with Snowdrift and eventually rescues her from the dance hall manager who has made her a prisoner.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

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

A Canadian Mountie pursues an outlaw across the border into the American desert. His pursuit is complicated by the fact that he is in love with the fugitive's daughter.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

Responding to the request of his uncle, Conroy Daly returns to the elder Daly's ranch to help in its management. When he arrives, Con is told by foreman John Hampton that his uncle has been killed and that he (Hampton) is in charge. Con conceals his identity but agrees with Hampton to "pose" as Conroy Daly while Della Moore, the sister of Daly's accused murderer, acts as Conroy's wife. Con eventually exposes Hampton, discovers that his uncle is alive, and asks Della to be a real Mrs. Daly.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

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

Impresario Thomas Sullivan arrives in Ossawatomie, Kansas, to debut a new musical show written by native talent Gene Harris. Sullivan hires singer Millicent Lloyd, who auditions with a song written by her boyfriend, local bookkeeper Brian McBride. The impresario takes Millicent to New York City, where she becomes a famous singer. Brian arrives in the city with a new opera but keeps his presence secret from Millicent until he has achieved notoriety. Unable to complete an opera of his own, Harris steals Brian's work and presents it to Sullivan, who casts Millicent in the lead role. With the help of music publisher Gus Hertz, Brian exposes Harris and reclaims his composition. He and Millicent are reunited, and the opera goes on to great success.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

Boston Blackie, just released from prison, threatens the warden, Benton, that he will have him removed from his job for using the water cross, a form of torture, on prisoners. Blackie's sweetheart, Mary Carter, helps him avoid this torture after his return to prison. The officers pursue Blackie, capture him, and bring him back to Benton, but Mary reports to the governor, and they arrive in time to save Blackie from further torments by bringing his pardon. Benton is fired.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

"Satan" Humphrey is the captain of the tramp steamer Glory Ann, is killed during a mutiny. His daughter Paula, brandishing a pistol, holds the mutineers at bay. Not long afterwards the ship picks up John Hadlock, an injured shipwreck survivor. Paula nurses him back to health and falls in love with him. John, recovering, helps her control the mutinous crew. The ship stops at San Francisco to pick up Glory, Paula's sister whom she hasn't seen since birth. As the ship sets sail for the South Seas, however, the crew mutinies again. Complications ensue.