Deep Archive Finds in the Vein of West of Broadway: Cult Guide

Dir: Harry Beaumont

DR. John Lancaster lives in dread of a family secret from his past being exposed, and makes him act in irrational ways, even with his fiancée Joan Wentworth.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

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

William Skinner is very pleased with the news his wife Honey is expecting their first child. He eagerly prepares for the new arrival, as he is sure it will be the next William Skinner Jr. When the bundle of joy finally arrives, much to his surprise, it's a girl. However, Honey and William are just as happy as if she were a he.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Lord and Lady Algy separate on cordial terms, after he breaks his promise not to gamble again on the horses. When the wife of soap magnate Brabazon Tudway, is courted by Algy's philandering elder brother, Algy tries to help his brother escape Tudway's wrath by hiding Mrs. Tudway in his apartments. Tudway discovers her there and is about to accuse Algy when Lady Algy appears and, believing Algy to be innocent, tells Tudway that his wife was there to meet her. Although Algy and his jockey disgrace Lady Algy by getting drunk at a masked ball on the eve of the Grand Derby, the race in which Algy plans to stake his entire fortune on his pet racehorse, Lady Algy saves his fortune by betting her own money on a dark horse that wins. Algy know penitent, swears he will give up gambling forever, thus reuniting with his loving wife.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Lord and Lady Algy perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Having followed the road of romance through many countries, Lord Quex finally falls in love with Muriel Eden. After resisting Lord Quex because of his reputation, Muriel finally capitulates to his charms and agrees to marry him. In her heart, however, Muriel still treasures an affection for Caption Bastling, a fortune hunting womanizer, and when Muriel is told of Lord Quex's continuing contact with the Duchess of Dowager, a situation brought about through the scheming of the Duchess, Muriel turns to Bastling and agrees to meet him at her friend Sophie Fullgarney's manicurist shop. There, Sophie, who has discovered Bastling's true nature, exposes the captain by flirting with him as Muriel arrives for her rendezvous. Seeing Bastling faithlessness makes Muriel realize that Quex is the man for her.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Tom Brown shows up at Harvard, confident and a bit arrogant. He becomes a rival of Bob McAndrew, not only in football and rowing crew, but also for the affections of Mary Abbott, a professor's daughter.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

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

A police patrolman must overcome enormous odds, including the apprehension of two villainous characters, before he can marry the girl of his dreams, the daughter of a millionaire.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

A struggling young composer of genius completes a masterpiece score for an opera, only to have it stolen by a less talented composer who rises to great success with it.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

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

Finding himself broke and out of a job in Paris, American William Ruggles joins the Turkish army and is sent to fight in its war in the Balkans. During a particularly hard-fought battle, he rescues a wounded Turkish soldier. Before he dies the Turk, out of gratitude, leaves William his fortune--but with the proviso that he take care of the Turk's three beautiful young wards. After he leaves the army, William and the three young girls--Roxana, Rosa and Bulbul--move to Paris, where William meets up with young Ruth Downing, the daughter of his former employer. They fall in love, but Roxana--who is also in love with William--is determined that nothing will stand in the way of her getting him and she will do whatever it takes to achieve that end.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Wealthy Easterner Dick Latham, determined to disprove his father Amos' accusation that he is an idler, rides the rails West to the mining town of Twin Bridges. Hugh Godson, the town's corrupt political boss, appoints Dick sheriff, supposing him an easily manipulated tenderfoot. To Godson's dismay, Dick proceeds to clean up Twin Bridges, closing the saloons and gambling dens, and forcing even the most hardened miners to attend church. Godson schemes to cheat Rosa Crimmins and her ailing father out of their ranch, which is rich in gold deposits, but Dick foils the plot and makes Rosa his deputy. When Dick learns that some rich Easterners are gambling in the hotel, he arrests them all, despite the fact that his father is among them. Amos, proud of his son's newfound manliness, buys the Crimmins ranch and gives his hearty approval to Dick and Rosa's romance.

Dir: Harry Beaumont

Engaged to the wealthy Freddy Ruyter, Barbara Wright favors her father's handsome Irish chauffeur, Dan Murray, and marries him. The newlyweds struggle to survive on Dan's meager income, but Barbara's father, furious with them both, nearly destroys their happiness by securing Dan's dismissal from several jobs. Dan wins $300 in an auto race but immediately gives it to Minnie Molloy, whose ailing husband has been ordered West for his health. Unaware of the reason for Dan's actions, Barbara sadly returns to her triumphant father. Mr. Wright's lawyer offers Dan a large sum of money to have the marriage annulled, and when Dan refuses, the lawyer discovers the truth about his "other woman." Touched by Dan's generosity, Mr. Wright accepts him into the family, and Barbara happily returns to her husband.