The Definitive Guide Deeply Connected to When Bearcat Went Dry: Cult Guide

Dir: Oliver L. Sellers

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

In the mountains of West Virginia, Alderson Cree is mortally wounded in an ambush by Kip Ryerson, after Kip's wife, Martha, seeks refuge at the Crees's home for herself and her stepdaughter, Eileen. Cree makes his young son, David, promise to avenge his death once he has grown into manhood. As David Cree runs for help, Alderson recants and instructs Martha Ryerson to release his son from his promise. However, to eliminate her brutal spouse, Martha Ryerson remains silent, and George Hedrick, the local storekeeper, leads a crowd to drive Kip out of town. Hedrick later announces Kip's death, relieving David of his obligation to his father. Years pass, and David, now an adult, is engaged to Mary Reddin. When Kip Ryerson returns to town, David's mother demands that he keep his promise to avenge his father. As David pursues Ryerson, Mary meets Martha, his former wife, who confesses that David's father canceled the promise of revenge. Mary rushes to inform David, but she is too late. During a fight between the two men, Kip Ryerson falls to his death from a mountain cliff, bringing to fruition the seeds of vengeance.

Dir: Oliver L. Sellers

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

Patrick Scott, local chief of state constabulary, loves Diane Orsini, whose father, a rich Italian, is suspected of being head of the Black Hand. Scott is detailed to obtain evidence and capture the gang and its leader. This investigation results in several tense situations--the last being an all-out gun fight in which Pat is injured and Orsini's henchmen are killed. Pat later recovers both his health and Diane, and Orsini, having incurred his daughter's animosity and seen his empire destroyed, commits suicide.

Dir: Oliver L. Sellers

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of When Bearcat Went Dry perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Ralph Hartsook becomes a schoolmaster of the Indiana Flat Creek district. He stays at the home of Old Jack Means, a wealthy citizen who wants Ralph to marry his daughter Mirandy. Instead, Ralph falls in love with Hannah Thompson, a 20-year-old orphan who works at the Means home. Political boss Pete Jones and local physician Dr. Small, to divert suspicion from themselves, accuse war veteran John Pearson of looting the house of toll-taker Dutchy Snyder. Hannah's brother Shocky and Ralph save Pearson from being lynched by a mob. Then Ralph is accused of the crime because he was seen in the vicinity of Snyder's house the night of the robbery. In the ensuing trial, Ralph successfully defends himself, while Bud Means exposes Pete Jones and Dr. Small as leaders of a gang of robbers. Ralph and Hannah marry after she is released from her bondage at the Means home.

Dir: Oliver L. Sellers

Bradford Vinton falls in love with a girl singer from the slums, but his father made plans to break the friendship.When his plans fail he disinherit his son. One day Bradford is stabbed by Merney Stagg and needs a blood transfusion. Sylvia, the girl,comes to his rescue and Bradfirds father realizes her Love for Bradford and consents to their marriage.