Hidden Genre Gems for Fans of Wanted, a Girl!: Cult Guide

Dir: Edgar Jones

A mail-order bride arrives at a Maine lumber camp but doesn't like her prospective husband.

Dir: Lloyd Ingraham

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Mary's Ankle perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

While walking along the street one day, Arthur P. Hampton, an impoverished young doctor, and his chums, Stub Masters and Johnny Stokes, are persuaded to part with their last remaining funds by tag day solicitor Mary Jane Smith, with whom the doctor promptly falls in love. Doc's friends then hit upon a get-rich-quick scheme. Knowing that his Uncle George has promised a large sum of money upon his nephew's marriage, they persuade Doc to send out fake wedding invitations naming Mary Jane as the blushing bride. Uncle George, elated at the good news, writes to Mary Jane's aunt, Angelica Burns, an old sweetheart, to invite Mary Jane and Angelica to be his guests on an ocean voyage. Meanwhile, Mary Jane pays a visit to the doctor's office and, upon seeing the wedding invitations, becomes so flustered that she trips and sprains her ankle. Doc comes to her rescue and then begs her to pose as his wife. She agrees, but at ship-side, Stub and Johnnie confess all to Uncle George, who flies into a rage until Doc announces that he and Mary Jane have chosen a wedding at sea.

Dir: Hal Roach

An American book salesman (Lloyd) is persuaded to go to the kingdom of Thermosa to impersonate the Prince. He is greeted by a peasants' revolt before the real prince shows up to claim his throne and princess. The revolution succeeds, and the American is elected president of the new republic.

Dir: Tefft Johnson

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

Helen King, a devoted wife and mother, spends most of her time in the care of her little son, Jack. Her husband, John, although loving her dearly, feels slighted because she does not care to become a part of the social life of which he is a prominent member, and when the temptress comes, in the person of Marcia Wilbur, an old school chum of Helen's is susceptible to her charms. Marcia is a born coquette and begins her heart conquering campaign «n Doctor Bright, the King's friend and physician, whom she leads on, only to cast aside when he proposes. Marcia, unable to restrain her propensity to flirt, exercises all her arts on John. Helen hears the whole town is gossiping about the intimacy of her husband and Marcia, but laughs at the idea. John gives way to his infatuation and the two elope. Helen, returning home, finds Jack in a high fever and phones Dr. Bright. The runaway couple meet the doctor on his way to the King home, at a turn in the road, and veering to one side are forced over an embankment. Dr. Bright finds John but slightly hurt, while Marcia is terribly wounded in the head. The doctor takes them to the King home. Helen blames Marcia, but when the doctor announces the accident has robbed her of her reason, hatred turns to pity and she insists on nursing her old friend back to health. A delicate operation is performed; it is successful, and Marcia recovers. Marcia accidentally overturns a lamp and sets fire to the bed clothing. John and Dr. Bright rush to their assistance, rescuing Marcia just in time, and later the two fall in love, while John is happily reunited with his wife.

Dir: Reggie Morris

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Charley Chase

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

A young married couple volunteer to take charge of several orphans after the asylum has burned down. Of course they find their hands full with their troublesome charges.

Dir: Tefft Johnson

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Dir: Eduardo Notari

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

A crime drama in the Gennariello-series. The police detective in Naples that is confronted with modern gangsters and crime events.

Dir: Richard Smith

Two female candidates for Chief of Police live across the hall from each other, and their political rivalry follows them home, leading to plenty of hi-jinks.

Dir: Ralph Ince

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.