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The Definitive Watchlist For Devotees of Way of the West: Cult Guide

Author

Senior Film Conservator

21 June 2026

5 min read

The United States-born brilliance of Way of the West offers a unique cult status, the juxtaposition of cult status and narrative makes it a Short outlier. Dive into this collection and find the spiritual successors to Ernst Laemmle's vision.

The Way of the West Phenomenon

In the Pantheon of Short cinema, Way of the West to elevate Short to the level of high art.

Ann Crandall insists on riding a wild horse, despite Jack Weston's, her father's foreman, protestation. Billy Regan, a new arrival, son of old man Regan's Australian buddy, dashes after her, and lifts her to his saddle before she is thrown. The boys around the ranch then try to give him the 'razz,' and he takes things good-naturedly. Billy is dressed like a dude, while they wear the regular western regalia. Ann's father rides up with his party and tells them that they had almost overtaken Slippery Pete. Billy thinks they are kidding him, and tells them their guns are useless in these modern days. One of the boys sticks a gun in his ribs. He puts his hands up, apparently helpless, when suddenly, with a fast trick, renders his opponent helpless. The boys work the 'badger' trick on him, and he takes this good-naturedly, but promises to get even. Riding with Ann, later, they run into a blind canyon. They see Slippery Pete's gang rustling cattle. Billy goes for help, but the boys think he is trying to play a joke on them. Ann is attacked. Then their horses run away. Billy steps behind the last man, pushes something against his spine and orders him to tell his confederates to raise their hands and drop their guns. Ann picks up their guns. Her father arrives. Billy tells them he is going to wander on, while the foreman embraces the girl.

The Definitive Watchlist For Devotees of Way of the West

Based on the unique cult status of Way of the West, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Short cinema:

Striking Models scene — Scene from Striking Models

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

Striking Models

1. Striking Models 1920

Dir: Reggie Morris

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Drag Harlan

2. Drag Harlan 1920

Dir: J. Gordon Edwards

William Farnum is Drag Harlan, a tough cowboy vigilante. After learning about a gold mine from a dying man, he seeks his daughter (Jackie Saunders) as well as the gold. He falls in love with her, but the same gang that shot the old man is after the gold.

Drag Harlan scene — Scene from Drag Harlan

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

The River's End

3. The River's End 1920

Dir: Victor Heerman

In the gold fields of the Canadian Northwest, a man is falsely accused of a crime and determines that a lookalike is responsible.

The Testing Block

4. The Testing Block 1920

Dir: Lambert Hillyer

Tough outlaw 'Sierra' Bill falls in love with traveling violinist Nelly Gray and forces her to marry him. They have a child, but their cozy family life is interrupted by gambler Ringo, who not only persuades Nelly to leave her husband but also ruins Sierra at the gaming table. With thoughts of vengeance, the angry Sierra breaks out of jail and goes after Ringo.

The River's End scene — Scene from The River's End

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

Trail of the Rails

5. Trail of the Rails 1920

Dir: Unknown Director

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

The Sagebrusher

6. The Sagebrusher 1920

Dir: Edward Sloman

When Wid Gardner, a friend of the "Sagebrusher" Sim Gage in Montana, advertises for a wife for Sim, he finds Mary Warren. Mary, who has recently lost her shop job in Cleveland, goes West under the impression that she is to be a housekeeper. By the time she arrives, she has become blind and cannot see the ugliness of the poor but honest Sim, who realizes that Mary is too refined for him. After some complications involving Frederick Waldhorn, who recognizes Mary as the girl whose legacy he has stolen, and Big Aleck, Mary and Sim are married. The young, handsome Dr. Barnes, who is working to restore Mary's sight, has also fallen in love with her. Eventually, Sim gives his life in rescuing Mary from a flood. Mary's sight then is restored and she confesses her love for Dr. Barnes. Finally, Mary's friend, Annie Squires, who accompanied her from Cleveland, becomes engaged to Wid.

The Testing Block scene — Scene from The Testing Block

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

In the River

7. In the River 1920

Dir: Edgar Jones

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

On Strike

8. On Strike 1920

Dir: Bud Fisher

Mutt and Jeff go on strike and make their own film.

Trail of the Rails scene — Scene from Trail of the Rails

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

Kids Is Kids

9. Kids Is Kids 1920

Dir: Charley Chase

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.

'A mala nova

10. 'A mala nova 1920

Dir: Eduardo Notari

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

Cinematic Comparison Matrix

Analysis relative to Way of the West

Film Title	Atmosphere	Complexity	Similarity
Striking Models	Tense	High	96% Match
Drag Harlan	Tense	High	93% Match
The River's End	Gothic	Linear	91% Match
The Testing Block	Surreal	Layered	86% Match
Trail of the Rails	Tense	Layered	96% Match

* This matrix is generated based on structural DNA and genre proximity to the 1925 classic Way of the West.

This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Ernst Laemmle's archive. Last updated: 6/21/2026.

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