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The Auteur's Selection In the Shadow of What Next?: Cult Guide

Author

Senior Film Conservator

24 June 2026

3 min read

Looking back at the 1922 milestone that is What Next?, the specific cinematic excellence of this work is a gateway to a broader Comedy world. Our archive is rich with titles that mirror the cinematic excellence of Morris R. Schlank.

The What Next? Phenomenon

As Morris R. Schlank's most celebrated work, it defines to create a dialogue between the viewer and the cinematic excellence.

The Auteur's Selection In the Shadow of What Next?

Based on the unique cinematic excellence of What Next?, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Comedy cinema:

Down the Mississippi scene — Scene from Down the Mississippi

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

Down the Mississippi

1. Down the Mississippi 1920

Dir: Frank Moser

The simple story is about two siblings, little brother Bud and big sister Susie. After they've been reading "Huckleberry Finn" they dream of adventures on the Mississippi River.

Striking Models

2. Striking Models 1920

Dir: Reggie Morris

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

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.

'A mala nova

3. '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.

Kids Is Kids

4. 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 scene — Scene from 'A mala nova

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

New Ralgia

5. New Ralgia 1920

Dir: Unknown Director

The village youths are rivals for the hand of the local belle. Their battles lead them to the village store, where chaos soon reigns, terminating in the place being blown up, leaving Bobby a happy victor.

Get-Rich-Quick Edgar

6. Get-Rich-Quick Edgar 1920

Dir: Mason N. Litson

Edgar and his chum try to amass a fortune in one day by cornering the fan market on a hot afternoon when the circus comes to the small town where they are spending their vacation.

Kids Is Kids scene — Scene from Kids Is Kids

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

The Land of Opportunity

7. The Land of Opportunity 1920

Dir: Ralph Ince

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

A Fitting Gift

8. A Fitting Gift 1920

Dir: Unknown Director

The Judge needs a present for his wife's birthday, so Harry suggests a new corset. They go to the shop, but he's so embarrassed to ask the saleslady he hides in a phone booth.Harry goes in, but finds a GUY wearing one, and runs out.They both dress as women to get back in, but Mrs. Rummy gets there and chases him out.

New Ralgia scene — Scene from New Ralgia

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

The Deadlier Sex

9. The Deadlier Sex 1920

Dir: Robert Thornby

Mary Willard takes over her father's railroad after his death. Her major competitor is a ruthless crook named Harvey Judson. She arranges for Judson to be kidnapped and taken to an isolated spot deep in the forest and turned loose to fend for himself. She accompanies the kidnappers to the wild and Judson, not knowing who she is, begins to fall in love with her. Complications ensue.

In the River

10. In the River 1920

Dir: Edgar Jones

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

Cinematic Comparison Matrix

Analysis relative to What Next?

Film Title	Atmosphere	Complexity	Similarity
Down the Mississippi	Gritty	Linear	92% Match
Striking Models	Tense	High	96% Match
'A mala nova	Surreal	Layered	92% Match
Kids Is Kids	Tense	Layered	94% Match
New Ralgia	Ethereal	High	85% Match

* This matrix is generated based on structural DNA and genre proximity to the 1922 classic What Next?.

This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of Morris R. Schlank's archive. Last updated: 6/24/2026.

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