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

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 West of Chicago perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

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

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

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

After being fired from his job on the "Evening Star" newspaper, cub reporter Jack Darwin (William Fairbanks) with the help of undercover police woman Ethel Bennett (Eva Novak), prevents the theft of the valuable Riko jewels. Jack gets his job back...and marries Ethel.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

Champion race car driver Jack Darwin is invited to participate in a transcontinental race, which he loses when a competitor shoots him from an airplane. Jack later becomes a motion picture star and falls in love with an actress named Nadine, whom he saves from marrying a scoundrel. Jack enters another race, winning both the first prize and Nadine.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

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

Gerald Faulkner, a young tin-can salesman, has fallen for sexy chorus girl Carlotta La Mere One day Gerald's wealthy uncle Dunley makes him an offer: if he gets married by the following Saturday, Dunley will give him $100,000. Gerald rushes to propose to Carlotta, who agrees. However, the day before the wedding she asks for a postponement. Complications ensue.

Dir: Scott R. Dunlap

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

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

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

When saloon owner Bill Lark detects that gambler Jim Pemberton is cheating, both men draw their guns. In order to prevent a double killing, it is agreed that the first shot should be decided by a draw from a deck of cards. Bill loses and Pemberton gives him three days to live. Meanwhile, Pemberton has persuaded Jess Jones to leave her husband and ride with him to his cabin in the hills where he is chief of a gang of bandits. Upon discovering his wife's absence, Scipio Jones follows Jess but is driven away by Pemberton's gang. After Jones fails, Bill retrieves Jess and brings her home. The next day, Bill is severely wounded when he drives a stagecoach through an attack by Pemberton's gang, but escapes to keep his date with the outlaw. Arriving to accept his fate of the last draw, Bill discovers that the outlaw has been killed by Scipio Jones. Provided with a new lease on life, the honest saloon keeper marries his sweetheart Little Casino.

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.