The Recommended Vault Deeply Connected to Viviette: Cult Guide

Dir: Walter Edwards

Paul Boudeaux shares lodgings with Richard Landers, his business partner, and Richard's young wife Matilda. Paul and Richard are in deep financial trouble, but when Paul's wealthy uncle, Batiste Boudeaux, comes to visit for a night, Matilda suddenly is inspired with a plan to save the business. Knowing that Uncle Batiste will give Paul $50,000 if the young man marries, Matilda introduces herself as Paul's wife, which greatly pleases the old bachelor. Complications arise, however, when Batiste decides to stay for a month, and the situation gets worse when early one morning, he sees Paul sleeping on the sofa and Richard stealing away from Matilda's room. Because Paul falls in love with Batiste's nurse Rose, the partners finally get their money, and even the old uncle gives up his bachelorhood by marrying fashion model Mme. Julie.

Dir: Walter Edwards

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

Alma Clayton is a butterfly type of girl. She is being wooed by a gilded youth, Neil Webster, whom she likes to a degree. At a public banquet Alma becomes acquainted with Wayne Burrous, a brilliant criminal lawyer, and won by the man's eloquence, she casts Neil aside and eventually marries Wayne. Her husband's strict attention to business piques her, and it results in Wayne leaving her use of their large mansion while he takes up his residence in the club. Alma, while out shopping with a friend, meets Neil, who tells her that his love for her is gone. At home she calls him by telephone. He arrives at Alma's home, and informs her that what he said about his love for her is not true, and that he is actuated by the desire of revenging himself on Wayne for winning her away from him. She is undetermined whether to elope with him or not. Meanwhile Jim Sims, a burglar, breaks into Wayne's room. After taking a number of gold and silver pieces his eye fixes on a portrait of Wayne. He recognizes it as representing the lawyer who had once saved him from jail, although Sims was penniless: He carefully replaces the articles from his sack to the dresser and is about to leave empty-handed on account of respect for his benefactor when he hears the excited conversation of Alma and Neil. He steals down the stairs and suddenly confronts them just as Alma is about to yield and go away with Neil. At the point of his gun he makes Neil sit quietly, while Alma is compelled to tie him with a rope to his chair. Then Sims makes the woman go upstairs to Wayne's room, where he shows her the picture of her husband and tells her of his saving Sims from jail. The burglar insists that such a man could not be the brute that she thinks him. He is so forceful in the presentation of the claims of Wayne and of the penalty that she would have to pay if she should break the laws of society that the woman is won over. Then Neil manages to drag himself, still securely bound to the chair, over to a telephone. He gets the receiver off the hook with his teeth and calls the police. On their arrival Neil is released. Alma hides the burglar and tells the officers that the burglar escaped through a window. When they are gone she rejects Neil. Neil goes out the back door, is mistaken for the burglar and is badly beaten up by an officer. Alma gives the burglar the picture of her husband as a souvenir of gratitude for his aid in setting her right. She then calls up her husband, and on his return there is a happy reconciliation.

Dir: Walter Edwards

When playwright Curtis de Forest Ralston becomes enamored of actress Viola Strathmore, who is to appear in his play "Vanity," Viola induces him to change certain parts and give her more lines. Curtis, who is not as talented as he thinks he is, fails at his job but is saved by his wife Anita, a former actress who has forsaken her career for marriage. Anita and her old manager, Bruce Winthrope, fashion the play to suit Viola, and "Vanity" becomes a huge success. The play's triumph enlarges Curtis's ego even further, and he deserts Anita for Viola. When the play's financial backer discovers the illicit relationship between the star and author, however, he withdraws his funds and the play closes. Still in love with Viola, Curtis attempts to continue their affair, but she kills him because she blames him for her downfall. Fearful of the police, Viola takes refuge in a tenement, and when they track her down, Viola's faithful Egyptian servant Borul slays his employer rather than let her perish at the hands of the law.

Dir: Walter Edwards

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

Paddy O'Hara is the star reporter on the London Blade. Rumors of impending warfare between two Balkan principalities reach London, and Paddy is dispatched to the seat of action. Before leaving he comes across the photograph of a military officer. Count Ivan of Darbaya, and his niece, the Lady Maryska. Two weeks later Paddy reaches Tarozza, the seaport capital of Ideria, and finds that the army there is preparing to invade Darbaya. While waiting at Tarozza he forms the acquaintance of a Captain Raoul du Plessis, of the Iderian Huzzars. Raoul is charged with an important mission to Darbaya, and carries on his person documents to be delivered at headquarters. In order to obtain these and delay the Captain's departure, a spy insults him and forces a duel. Du Plessis, who chooses Paddy secretly transfer the documents to Paddy, who leave Tarozza disguised in the uniform of Captain Raoul. Although the spies are hot on his trail, Paddy reaches a castle perched high on the cliffs of Darbaya. The castle is deserted, as its men folk are fighting in the valley and its women have been sent away to a place of safety. One inmate alone is left, the Lady Maryska, the girl of his dreams. Maryska sees in Paddy an intruder in the hated uniform of Ideria and treats him with scorn. At the time of the meeting the Iderians are sweeping all before them, and Colonel Ivan retreats to the castle. The Colonel's one anxiety is to get his niece away from the danger zone. As the castle is about to fall into the hands of the enemy, the only way to escape is to place her in the care of Paddy. By a slight alteration, the passport is made to read Patrick O'Hara and wife. Circumstances make it imperative for Paddy to go through the marriage ceremony with Maryska, who only consents on the condition that she is to be freed from the marital yoke as soon as they reach safety. Passing through innumerable adventures and hardships the couple at last gain the frontier. Paddy sends his dispatch to the Blade and while dictating to the operator leaves Maryska asleep under shelter. The message sent, he returns just in time to see Maryska seized and borne away in an aeroplane by emissaries of the enemy. Paddy returns to London. When all hope is lost, he receives a summons to a foreign embassy, where a proposition is made to him to relinquish his wife in order that she may wed a great personage. He is assured that a divorce can easily be arranged and is offered a handsome monetary bribe and other considerations. O'Hara refuses the proposition, and his refusal is overheard by Maryska, who is hiding in the council chamber. Maryska has learned to love the gallant Irishman during the stormy days of battle and flight, and convinces him that the hurried wedding in the Balkans will stand good for all time.

Dir: Walter Edwards

Parker, an Army lieutenant at a Western outpost, falls in love with Barbara Taylor, daughter of his commanding officer. But when Barbara rejects him, Parker fights with another soldier and deserts. An Indian attack gives him a chance to redeem himself.

Dir: Walter Edwards

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Paddy O'Hara perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Jim Gordon, a stranger to Paluski, a Western mining settlement, does not drink or gamble, and refuses dance hall girls' advances. Gonda, the dance hall queen, accepts a wager by gambling proprietor "Ace High" Lawton, who is hopelessly in love with her, that she cannot seduce Gordon. After a drunken miner attempts to shoot Gonda, Gordon protects her, but when she tries to induce Gordon to drink, he knocks her glass from her hand, thus beginning a barroom brawl. Although Gordon wins, he is injured. While Gonda nurses him, they fall in love and plan to marry, but Gordon discourages Gonda from becoming pregnant. When Gordon receives a letter from his wife back East containing a knitted baby shoe and news that he has been proven innocent of a murder charge, he leaves Gonda some gold and starts home. Thinking that Gordon wronged Gonda, Lawton throws him from a cliff. After an Indian trapper robs Gordon, Gordon attempts to rob the gambling hall but fails. He is about to be lynched when Gonda, who has discovered the letter, arranges for Gordon's escape for the sake of his son and agrees to marry Lawton, who then misleads the party trailing Gordon.

Dir: Walter Edwards

Millicent Drake's mother, a woman of social ambitions, has decided that her daughter should marry the socially prominent Van Tyle. Millicent thwarts her mother's plans, however, when on a visit to Van Tyle's mountain lodge, she meets gold miner Carson Stewart and falls in love. Soon after, Stewart comes East to see Millicent and the two are married. Marital discord is injected by Mrs. Drake, who attempts to convince her daughter not to give Stewart the child he so desires. Upon learning that his wife is pregnant and his mother-in-law is advocating an abortion, Stewart leaves home in disgust. Millicent, finally realizing the error of her ways, follows her husband out West with the new addition to their family, and a reconciliation is effected.

Dir: Walter Edwards

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

Foster Borrum is the wealthiest man in the town of Norwalk. He practically owns everything. He has won his position by merciless grinding and is regarded by the villagers with fear and contempt. A stern man, with only one softening influence in his life, his wife, whom he idolizes. The wife dies and Borrum turns on the world with added bitterness and hatred. He is living a life of dreary isolation when one day a visitor steps off the train at the station, a little girl; also alone in the world; who has been tagged to her destination in the search of a relative who has long since disappeared. The villagers are too poor to adopt the child. In a cynical mood Borrum takes possession of the girl. Ivy Marten, and installs her in his home. Ivy, aching for sympathy, meets with no response from the austere man, whose treatment of her borders on brutality. Exaggerated reports of this reach the authorities, and Borrum is haled before them. Ivy, who loves the old man in spite of his coldness, is the prime witness for the defense and her loyal support of her guardian wins the day. A change comes over the attitude of Borrum towards the child and the world in general and with a softened heart he strives to make life happier for the orphan and for the hitherto despised inhabitants of the poverty stricken village.

Dir: Walter Edwards

After building a financial empire, Frederick Mallery feels chained to his wife Winnie, who stood by him during the years of poverty. As a result, he offers Warren Woods, a down-and-out former playboy, $50,000 to seduce Winnie, so that he will have an excuse for a divorce. Warren works hard at his job, but instead of weakening Winnie's devotion to Frederick, he himself falls in love with her. Needing the money, however, he boasts to Frederick of having seduced Winnie. Suddenly, Frederick becomes jealous, and after calling off the deal with Warren, he goes to Winnie and tells her that he loves her.

Dir: Walter Edwards

Bright young novelist Mabel Vere is engaged to Gerald Wantage, a prig who angrily objects when she advertises for a husband in order to elicit ideas for her new book. Mabel's roommate, Maud Bray, a physical culture expert, frightens away the less desirable suitors, while the writer responds to the more interesting letters, and soon becomes embroiled in a number of adventures. One of her applicants is a butler, whose employer, Noel Corcoran, also has answered the ad. Noel informs Mabel that Gerald has bet the other members of his club that she will answer no more letters. Angered, she responds to several particularly lurid ones, after which she and Gerald break off their engagement. Having fallen in love with Mabel, Noel proposes and is accepted.